Case studies

Cheshire East Council worked with Positive Money to run a People’s Panel on the cost of living crisis in October 2022.

The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) was established in 2018 with a new, directly elected mayor in May 2019. Set up to support an inclusive economy in the region, the mayor has been keen to engage with all communities and in particular understand the barriers to job participation in the region.

Snitterfield Parish Council wanted to transform their local playing fields, but with plans costing around £100,000, the project stalled and the community became disengaged. Using seed funding from a county councillor, and working with design experts, the council held an engagement day, inviting residents to come and design the park.

During COVID-19, misinformation circulated among communities and there was some distrust of the council. Communities reported feeling disengaged from official sources. Through Community Champions - trusted voices from the community - Staffordshire County Council has built trust and capability within communities and used existing community networks to relay important health information.

Stroud District Council has fundamentally shifted its approach to community engagement. Having learned during COVID-19 that some communities were stepping into frontline service delivery without the necessary skills; the council focused on building capability within communities.

Wigan Council worked closely with survivors of domestic abuse to drive a step change in the borough’s response to this complex social problem. This included an award-winning media and engagement campaign, 'Love is Not Abuse', which challenged widespread assumptions about what constitutes domestic abuse and the most effective ways to communicate with victims.

Harborough District Council and partners worked together to determine interventions to address the undersupply of one bed homes over time.

Plymouth City Council procured external consultants to advise on potential replacement sites the cities’ primary temporary accommodation facility for homeless families.

The “2 Matters” award is an audit tool followed by face-to-face professional development over a period of several months. It offers support to all settings with provision for two-year-olds (schools, private and voluntary sector, and childminders).

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has been seeking to add value to the work of its 10 member councils by leading a whole system response to the cost of living pressures. This includes data gathering, sharing information, and practical advice for particular groups of residents..