Case studies

Hertfordshire’s ‘Thrive and Survive’ work began before the pandemic and was in response to an increase in suicides among university students.

Councils up and down the country have been training increasing numbers of colleagues to have healthy conversations, whether it’s about excess smoking or drinking but also, particularly about mental health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenge to local government. The Communities team at Essex County Council set up Essex Coronavirus Action Support Group (ECAS) alongside the Essex Public Health team, and in partnership with community Leaders.

Walsall council used mobile testing and adapted their approach to reach different groups.

Manchester City Council introduced mobile testing units in five locations across the two areas and an asymptomatic rapid testing site at Moss Side Leisure Centre was converted into a PCR testing site.

Surge testing started in parts of Bristol and South Gloucestershire in February after 11 cases of the UK variant with E484K mutation were identified as part of routine sampling.

The Government announced that surge testing was to take place in Norfolk on Tuesday 16 February.  The testing started the following day focussing on the market towns of Diss and Roydon, which are home to around 10,000 people. 

Ealing Council was among the first wave of councils asked to do surge testing after a case of the South African variant that could not be directly linked to travel was identified.

Hertfordshire was part of the first wave of eight council who were asked to carry out surge testing from February. One case of the South African variant that could not be linked back to travel had been identified.

Lewisham focussed on gathering intelligence about vaccination concerns through a survey sent to residents in January, to help it tailor its messaging and communications.