Case studies

The need to keep residents informed and demonstrate value for money are key priorities for all councils, but how to do you balance the two? Alan Ferguson, web manager at Central Bedfordshire Council, explains how they swapped paper publications for online updates without diluting their messages or damaging engagement.

With official figures for England and Wales revealing that one in four women and one in six men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, Camden Council decided to create the ‘know you’re not alone’ campaign to raise awareness and help their communities access vital support services. Communications Lead Lorna Gott explains what they did and the important role that video played in delivering their message.

When illegally dumped industrial waste caught fire at a former mushroom factory, Selby District Council’s crisis communications plans kicked into action. Communications manager, Mike James, explains how they tackled the issue and why the experiences of the past helped them manage the situation.

Communicating messages about death is always challenging, but Leeds City Council decided to take the reins and work with partners across the city to help residents face their fears. Communications officer Debra Kerr and Ageing Well Officer Carole Clark explain how collaboration helped people to find the right words to tackle this difficult subject.

With research showing that relationship abuse is most prevalent among 16-24 year olds, Westminster City Council wanted to help young people find their voice and speak out about unhealthy relationships. Communications account manager Klara Nordstrom explains how they used creative thinking to engage this often hard-to-reach group.

The research underlined how a nuanced approach is required and led to the production of a channel shift toolkit. The research findings underpin the borough's channel shift implementation strategy.

Chorley Council used its Circle of Customer Need methodology to better understand the needs of older people experiencing fuel poverty.

As part of the LGA's economic growth advisers support offer, Didobi and Rise Associates were commissioned to support Tamworth Borough Council in overcoming challenges to make the environment more conducive to investment and lay the foundations for transformative change of their high street.

Agencia were commissioned through the LGA's Economic Growth Advisers programme to support Hull City Council in understanding the challenges faced by young people together with the cost of economic inactivity.

Faced with a rising demand for foster homes, Buckinghamshire County Council used behaviour change insights to better understand the motivations of foster carers.