Case studies

From June 2021 – August 2021, the City of Westminster undertook a behavioural insights trial to test ways of reducing the dumping of waste bags and bulky items. Two new bin designs were tested. One design used, “biophilia”, which involves exposing people to images of nature to prime them to be more pro social. The other added “affect” to the bins by using playfully designed characters.

There are several schemes aiming to reduce carbon across the Tees Valley, however, the schemes are competing for priority use of existing road space. Using Yarm Road in Darlington as a specific example we will consider the competing priorities for the road space, the stakeholders involved with their own preferences/agendas and the economic impacts of prioritising decarbonisation.

Tasked with reducing its social services budget by millions of pounds over four years, Harrow Council wanted to expand its My Community ePurse (MCeP) personal budget management solution.

During September-December 2018 we conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with 705 Worcestershire County Council (WCC) domiciliary care users to reduce the number of unpaid service invoices and increase the number of people who sign-up to direct debit. We tested two behaviourally optimised conditions against the control across the Invoice, Reminder 1 and Reminder 2 phases. Relative to the control, our test letters significantly increased: direct debit sign ups by 61% (P<.10), people paying their invoice via the WCC website and automated telephone line by 33% (P<.10), and people calling the helpline by 36% (P<.20).

Although winter weather and snow can be fun for some, these weather conditions are also associated with an increase in illness and injuries. Cold weather increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, lung illnesses, flu and other diseases. People slip and fall in the snow or ice, sometimes suffering serious injuries.

Red Snapper Managed Services (RSMS) are working with Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Cumbria Constabulary to deliver a Hate Crime intervention, using a participant case study.

New Forest District Council commissioned social research agency Social Engine to work with them to develop a new approach to tackle littering in the New Forest. By displaying novel communications on advertising trailers at three sites, and dispensing rubbish bags, the intervention reduced litter by 10.8 tonnes (29 per cent) in one month and saved an estimated £10,000 in waste collection costs.

Luton Borough Council has increased its reablement services, reducing the need for ongoing formal adult social care services and saving £14.5 million over three years.

Councils have multiple roles in relation to the sale, consumption and impact of alcohol in their local areas.

London Borough of Lewisham's customer insight work showed how fragmented services could be unsatisfactory and frustrating for both residents and council.