A WISH list of initiatives has been proposed to help improve the health and wellbeing of St Helens residents.

Numerous ideas have been suggested in the St Helens Council report, which is part of the town centre regeneration plans.

They include reading trees, piano stairs and a community stage for pop-up theatre performances.

The initiatives are driven by stark figures highlighted in a separate council report.

“Typically, levels of depression and people reporting living with a long-term mental health problem in St Helens is higher than the national averages,” the report says.

“St Helens has a high rate of admissions due to mental health problems, the second highest in Merseyside and above both North West and England averages.”

The report adds that St Helens ranks as the 36th most deprived area out of 326 local authorities in England, with Town Centre, Parr and Sutton being in the top one per cent most deprived nationally.

In-work poverty is also on the rise, which is having a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of the population in St Helens.

The St Helens town centre improvement health impact report, which is part of a joint work programme between People’s and Place Services, outlines numerous initiatives to help adress the health inequalities in the borough.

One idea is to install piano stairs anywhere where there is the option to take the lift or an escalator.

“The piano stairs are attractive and can be made to be musical,” the report says.

“The stairs subliminally increase activity and reduce use of lifts and escalators.”

Another initiative that could be introduced are public reading trees, which would include books and seating and could be placed in the town centre.

“The reading trees promote mental wellbeing, community cohesion and the importance of good literacy skills,” the report says

The council estimates that the reading trees would cost around £5,000 each to construct.

A community garden is also suggested, which the report says would promote cohesion, physical health and exercise, mental wellbeing and increase economic activity to the centre.

“A community garden area would be ideally located in close proximity to the town centre,” the report says.

“There are several sites in particular, which would benefit form a community garden.”

It adds: “The scope of what community gardens can achieve also varies widely.

“They can provide fresh fruit and vegetables, a place for wildlife, improved play areas, an outdoor classroom and safe public spaces that are well-maintained.”

However, maintaining the garden would not come cheap, with an estimated cost of £250 per day for cleaning and a further £250 per day soil irrigation, among other costs.

A small farming area could be built close to the town centre to help enhance its image and improve the mental wellbeing of residents.

One of the quirkier ideas is the installation of signs with “positive messages” around the town.

“Logically seeing positive messages will contribute to a positive outlook and mood,” the report says.

“Small changes such as these in St Helens town centre will make a contribution to better mental health and wellbeing.”

The council may also seek to work voluntary groups to produce street art with an “innovative creative message.”

Cllr Gill Neal, cabinet member for better health and building arts and culture, said the work programme should address some of the “health inequalities” affecting the borough’s residents.

She said: “I welcome this joint work programme, which will ensure that the regeneration of the town centre and the growth opportunities being created in the wider borough will address some of the health inequalities in our population and increase the health and wellbeing of residents living in St Helens.”