St Helens' happiness and wellbeing indicators revealed in new data

The analysis comes from a survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which asked people to rate their level of life satisfaction, things they do that make life worthwhile, as well as their happiness and anxiety in the 12 months to March 2022.

Collecting results from respondents across the country, the ONS used this to give each local authority an average score out of ten on the four indicators.

In St Helens, there are high scores on each of the indicators (with low ratings for anxiety), with a large jump seen in the borough's wellbeing compared to the previous year during the pandemic.

In this year's figures, the data shows that life in St Helens is the 'most worthwhile' across Merseyside, with an average score of eight out of ten.

This is the highest figure since records began in 2011/12, and a jump from 7.6 on the previous year's rating.

In terms of life satisfaction, the borough scored an average rating of 7.5 out of ten, which is tied with Sefton as the highest across the wider region.

On the happiness indicator, St Helens also scored a rating of 7.5 out of ten, which places the borough in second place across Merseyside as Sefton notched a 7.6 rating.

In terms of anxiety levels, with the lower score the better on this indicator, the borough scored an average of 3.1 out of ten.

Across Merseyside, this score is tied with Knowsley and slightly higher than Sefton's 3.0 rating, but a decrease from 3.5 the previous year.

St Helens' regeneration plans may be an factor in the town's wellbeing indicators (Image: St Helens Council)

With St Helens' ratings following similar trends across the country, it is clear that the recovery from the pandemic has had a significant impact on people's wellbeing.

However, with the town achieving some of the highest ratings across Merseyside, this suggests that there are more localised reasons that make life more worthwhile and satisfying in St Helens.

Saints' record-breaking Super League wins may also be a factor in making life worthwhile (Image: PA)

With Saints making history by winning four Super League Grand Finals on the bounce, this may be one of the reasons that Sintelliners have more of a smile on their faces, while the return of cultural events such as Sherdley Park's Reminisce Festival may be another.

The "once in a lifetime" regeneration plans for St Helens and Earlestown may also be reasons for residents to feel satisfied and optimistic for the future, with ambitious proposals to install new office spaces, homes, markets, shops and public spaces in the town centres.

Or, the happiness indicators may be a testament to the many good deeds and charitable things that people in our community do for one another.