Innovation in local government is about improving the lives of the people in our
communities. Browse through our case studies to see the many innovative programmes councils are involved
in.
Portsmouth City Council funds a project providing specialist support to rough sleepers with drug or alcohol issues and those at risk of rough sleeping. A multi-agency and multi-disciplinary team work in the community to help people access treatment, psychological support and accommodation.
Wiltshire includes 65 kilometres of the Kennet and Avon Canal and is home to a vibrant and diverse ‘boater’ community. Wiltshire Council’s public health team has been working with them to find out more about this unique way of life.
In Worcestershire, a small team of service-user volunteers provide support and resources to people affected by drug and alcohol misuse who do not engage with conventional treatment services. This is just one element of the work underway to reduce the health inequalities for this vulnerable group of people.
City of York’s public health team recognised that the children in asylum-seeking families had often missed out on routine vaccinations. When other parts of Yorkshire experienced measles outbreaks, the team worked with local partners to prevent an outbreak in York’s migrant population.
Stainforth is a small town in South Yorkshire. This former mining community is located within the City of Doncaster local authority area and has a population of around 6,000. The Shaping Stainforth SPHL programme aims to take a complex system approach to improving the determinants of mental health in Stainforth by building on community strengths and assets.
Newham Council, along with its partners, is adopting a complex systems approach to building food security among young people aged 11 to 19. Nutrition plays a crucial role during adolescence, the second-fastest growth phase after the first two years of life, and is vital for long-term adult health. Food insecurity is a major contributor to poor health outcomes, and Newham’s goal is to shift how food insecurity interventions are framed, designed and delivered for this age group.
Richmond and Wandsworth Borough Councils commissioned Loudmouth to incorporate Theatre in Education (TiE) into their approach to the prevention of exploitation of children and young people and raise awareness on harmful sexual behaviours such as sexual harassment and assault. Loudmouth is an innovative TiE company with over 30 years’ experience of collaborating with local authorities to support Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) and safeguarding in schools and other educational venues.
A notable achievement in Knowsley is the strength of partnership working, particularly through the Combating Drugs Partnership, which has facilitated collaboration and ongoing follow-up on conversations and plans among stakeholders.
The collaborative efforts between Peterborough and Cambridgeshire have laid a solid foundation for their joint approach to tackling drug-related issues.
Prior to the first COVID-19 lockdown, Greater Manchester conducted an internal review of its drug strategy, positioning itself strategically to act upon reviews by Carol Black and the inception of the ten year drug strategy.