Case studies

In September 2014 NHS Citizen – a national programme giving the public a say on healthcare matters within NHS England – ran a full-scale test assembly which consisted of around 200 patients, carers, activists, volunteers, third sector and public services workers who came together to discuss agenda items chosen by citizens.

The Lambeth Living Well Collaborative was established in 2010 and is a platform of partners aiming to radically improve the outcomes experienced by people with severe and enduring mental health problems. It involves citizens, mental health service users, peer supporters, commissioners, the voluntary sector, and health and social care staff.

Through Local Area Coordination, service users stay strong, safe and connected in communities which are more welcoming, inclusive and supportive. As a result, they can find practical, non-service solutions to problems and generally avoid the use of acute front-line services which are increasingly unaffordable.

 All children have health needs, and local authorities now have a major role in meeting these.

Vulnerable people typically spend a lot of their time at home, so their homes are particularly important in maintaining physical and mental health, and addressing health inequalities.

Birmingham's Climate Change Adaptation Partnership is putting health inequalities at the heart of its strategy. It's offering a range of tools and approaches to identify which communities will need most help to adapt to the effects of climate change.

In this briefing you will find examples of councils that are looking at innovative ways to provide support with a focus on children and families rather than static services, as well as more information about the scale of the problem and what steps can be taken.

SoundCity is a music education hub led by Brighton & Hove City Council’s Music and Arts Service, which brings together all the city’s leading music organisations.

South Norfolk District Council was part of the East of England Design in the Public Sector programme focusing on redesigning preventative services for childhood obesity.

The work began in 2012 with a series of events for arts practitioners and health-based commissioners to discuss joint working. This led to a £250,000 investment from the council’s public health and arts services, along with investment partners Artswork and Royal Opera House Bridge, for a pilot commission.