Case studies

One of the key challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic response has been ensuring that all communities have equitable access to guidance as well as addressing the issue of misinformation and myths.

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council is tackling the economic impacts of COVID-19 through a new Economic Renewal Action Plan, including a £2 million Prioritised Recovery Programme (PRP) of immediately deliverable action. The approach combines an evidence-based, strategy-led plan with practical action to tackle critical issues and gaps in support to accelerate recovery.

The public has got used to using and ordering rapid tests themselves. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has focused its efforts on targeting its support towards those most in need. Key to this has been its mobile testing unit.

East Devon District Council’s vision for clean growth and the ambition to transition to net zero is driving forward new investment opportunities and enabling the economy to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, the council is looking to capitalise on opportunities to provide greener, healthier, more vibrant places to live, work and learn.

To address the affordable housing issue for staff, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), One Public Estate, The London Estates Delivery Unit (LEDU) and the Greater London Authority developed the Homes for NHS Staff toolkit.

Banbury Heights Nursing Home has been recruiting overseas nurses since 2003. We spoke to Charles Taylor from Banbury Heights about his experience of overseas recruitment. In 2021 recruitment expanded to include senior carers and since then Banbury Heights have sponsored 18 senior carers over three sites. With 150 employees this represents 12 per cent of the workforce.

Our 'Supporting councils with business engagement' report captured learning from councils' contact with businesses over the course of the pandemic and their plans going forward. Gloucestershire County Council was one example. In 2021, they adopted a new approach to engage with businesses to better understand the issues impacting the county.

Central Bedfordshire Council’s dedicated Business and Investment team offers bespoke advice and support to attract new businesses to relocate to the area. Underpinning this approach is the delivery of a holistic support service to help ensure businesses have easy access to a range of services to support their needs. This includes advice regarding commercial property, planning applications and skills needs for their workforce. In doing so, the council utilises a place-based and partnership approach to promote the location as an area for people, to live, work and invest in.

Leeds Public Health Older People’s team implemented a range of interventions to provide proactive support to the third sector.

Wakefield Council has a range of coordinated and evidence-based projects and programmes which aim to improve the wellbeing of residents, help them into the job market and raise aspirations. They are carefully structured and monitored to produce the best results.