Case studies

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.

In Barnsley the hospital trust and council have worked together to create a diagnostic unit in the new retail and leisure centre, which has been developed as part of a £200 million regeneration of the town centre.

Knowing that residents in lockdown would be facing isolation, loneliness and a lack of opportunity to engage in cultural activities, Barnsley Museums sought to continue their programmes in new and innovative ways.

Barnsley Council’s ‘inclusive offer’ creates opportunities for young people who need extra support to benefit from work.

The Psychosocial Engagement Team service was developed as a six-month pilot project, where referrals were made by A&E mental health liaison teams into a six to eight week programme focused on problem-solving and support. In six months, 100 referrals were made, with 85 per cent engagement. The pilot has been evaluated and embedded into the mental health pathway. This case study was done jointly with the National Suicide Prevention Alliance and forms part of our suicide prevention resource.

Barnsley Council declared a climate emergency in September 2019 with targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions in its own operations by 2040 and across the wider borough by 2045. The council’s Sustainable Energy Action Plan affirms the council’s commitment to embed a carbon reduction culture across the organisation. The council has a housing new-build programme, but energy efficiency measures included in properties have varied with no standard energy specification. The council wanted to work with a “critical friend” to review the specification and Leeds Sustainability Institute (LSI) have carried out this role.

In Barnsley, South Yorkshire, a Macmillan Social Worker is employed by Barnsley Council to sit within the multidisciplinary team of clinical nurse specialists, occupational therapists and dieticians to provide expert support for people in need of complex palliative care and support at end of life. This case study forms part of our end of life care guide for councils. This case study forms part of our end of life care guide for councils.

Barnsley Council has worked closely with their voluntary and community sector to deliver the Household Support Fund and have allocated some of the funding directly to community organisations who are developing sustainable approaches to the rising cost of living.

Barnsley Council have established Storehouse and Field, a community food hub which aims to provide access to high quality ingredients for people who may be experiencing moderate food insecurity.

In the London borough of Barnet, the NHS and council have worked together to ensure mothers get good support from their dedicated perinatal mental health pathway.