Case studies

Shropshire Libraries, in partnership with public health deliver a myriad of social prescribing opportunities across the county, including 150 reading groups taking place in people’s homes, in libraries and sometimes even pubs.

Collaborating with Children’s Services in the LGA Family Hubs Peer Review, Dorset Library Service began to explore how we could develop our contribution to the Best Start in Life* and Dorset Council’s: Our Children, Young People’s and Families Plan 2020-2023.

Sheffield’s diverse freelance artists and creatives were seriously impacted by Covid lockdowns and the cancellation of arts events. National government support was often not available to them.

Sheffield Museums have a successful volunteering programme with over 200 volunteers who engage in research, events, creative workshops, heritage walks and gardening, and support volunteering for people with barriers to entering the workplace.

During the pandemic, Sheffield Museums wanted to ensure the city’s museums and the collections continued to provide inspiration for the young people. While physical access to the sites continued to be limited, they worked in partnership with Ignite Yorkshire to run Young Makers - project-based online work experience for young people aged 14-25 years old.

A unique trail of cast bronze roundels maps out a walking route past public artworks, landmarks and points of interest in the Lincolnshire town of Sleaford.  

"Slung Low responded rapidly to the crisis facing the local community. They provided a vital lifeline to residents of Holbeck and Beeston."

Sounds Around is a game designed in partnership with Northumberland Care NHS Foundation Trust for care professionals to use with people with dementia or brain injury.

The council had previously assessed the leisure management options on the expiry of its leisure contract, and had decided to extend the contract in place for a period of 15 months in order to procure a new contract arrangement. As a result of COVID-19 this position proved unviable, as the council were providing significant financial support to their contractor, and a procurement during the pandemic was not likely to produce a beneficial result. The council therefore reassessed the options available, and as a result Cabinet agreed to transfer the leisure service to a wholly-owned council company called LeisureSK Ltd.

Age Concern Tyneside South (ACTS) and Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums (TWAM) started up a weekly history social group for people over 55 living in South Tyneside at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery in January 2022.