Case studies

West Midlands has long adopted a distinctive approach to drug services, characterised by a strong emphasis on public health, a stance largely driven by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Health inequalities are continuing to rise, and a response from Birmingham City Council Public Health to alleviate this burden, is to explore and promote different models of service redesign that improve quality and experience of health for all our citizens.

The Birmingham Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, known as ‘Bring it on Brum!’, is designed to address the ‘holiday experience gap’ for children and young people from low-income households.

Life Hacks is an award-winning Young Persons Social Prescription service led by Active Luton, the council’s health and wellbeing partnership.

The £5 million Ministry of Justice programme (2022) used sport to enhance positive outcomes for vulnerable young people in the context of youth crime.

This special mention recognises their innovative use of Assistive Technology (AT) to help children, young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families, access timely and efficient care solutions.

Empowering women of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and abilities to be active in ways right for them through our local campaign, LLR Girls Can (Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Girls Can).

The Staying Well programme was commissioned to tackle loneliness and promote wellbeing. Three community anchor organisations that run the scheme have developed bespoke approaches to engage men which involves a photography-themed walking group, a reminiscing group for older BME residents and a Men’s Sheds project.

A community development fund was set up to develop new schemes and strengthening existing ones. It was a three-year project which then launched to create a movement among local men and empower them to engage others in their health and wellbeing. Public-facing staff in places such as barbers, cafes and tattoo shops have been given mental first aid training.

The council is funding places on a healthy lifestyle football-based programme for overweight men, with around 90 per cent of those that take part loosing weight during the 10-week course. The initiative is being used as a stepping stone to get men into other activities as well as providing wider support.