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.
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.
The London borough has launched a programme to improve the mental health of young black men. The three-year project involves work in schools, community outreach as well as training for frontline staff such as police. Barbers have also been given training to support their clients and refer into support services
Melton Borough Council in Leicestershire has funded a local farming support service to run health checks at a livestock market. Physical health checks are offered alongside support for mental health twice a month and more than 500 farmers have taken up the option in the past year.
A community champions project set up to enhance COVID-19 vaccine uptake has been re-purposed to work on projects to tackle health inequalities. Men’s health is one of the priorities with plans for health workshops in the community and other workstreams for the homeless and on nutrition will also benefit men.
Wakefield is taking part in the Sport England and Football Foundation’s Active Through Football scheme. There are a range of different activities run in deprived areas of district, including a number specifically targeting men. This also includes a 10-week fitness and lifestyle programme aimed at inactive over 30-year-olds and a initiatives aimed at older people.
Funding has been provided to a grassroots charity to run a project aimed at supporting men’s mental health. Hikes and sports sessions are combined with talking therapy-based work. More than 200 men are now involved after scheme launched less than 18 months ago.
Family Mentors are a highly trained paid peer workforce that deliver the Small Steps at Home manualised evidence-based programme of child development and preventative health support to parents of 0- to four-year-olds.
Furniture poverty is the inability to access, or afford to buy or maintain, any household furniture or appliance item that is essential for a socially acceptable standard of living. At least 26 per cent of social housing tenants live in furniture poverty - yet only 2 per cent of social homes are let as furnished.
The Future Female Leaders Programme supports and empowers women above the age of 18 from ethnically diverse communities in and around London to overcome social, educational and economic barriers to diversify and create more coaches and leaders in the sport, health and physical activity sector.