Case studies

The NHS England/Improvement short term funded project took place over three months in 2021 and aimed to engage local autistic people and their families.

A partnership project between Plymouth City Council and Seetec Pluss supports autistic people to find and sustain employment.

Telford and Wrekin Council were faced with a challenging situation in 2019 when they commissioned an inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation. Councillors were at risk of abuse and aggression from residents and national groups interested in the inquiry. The council took this risk seriously, providing councillors with appropriate and proportionate safety measures depending on the level of risk.

The Derby and Derbyshire Autism Partnership Board (APB) has been established for 10 years, has an autistic co-chair and good representation from commissioners, health, providers, parents, and Experts by Experience (EbE’s). Derbyshire County Council support the APB with Derbyshire Autism Service providing an autism friendly meeting room when required

In a community as diverse as Luton, understanding cultural identity can be challenging, especially when there are those who seek to undermine community cohesion through a narrowing of that identity.

Two neighbourhoods of Teignbridge District Council were awarded Garden Community Status in 2019. Residents were offered the opportunity to be part of the plans to build vibrant, green neighbourhoods but the pandemic disrupted face-to-face engagement. Determined to involve local people in the project, the council pioneered a set of digital initiatives, the success of which has given Teignbridge Council the confidence to explore other ways to increase resident participation.

Rather than accepting that fewer financial resources mean poorer services, Darlington has shown that with the right approach, residents can be engaged in a way which not only helps maintain service levels but brings the community together.

Exeter City Council has created Wellbeing Exeter, a strategic alliance with Devon County Council and Sport England, which aims to link up community, healthcare and wellbeing services, and to reinforce local assets which might strengthen wellbeing outcomes.

The strategic approach taken by Warwickshire County Council demonstrates how children and young people’s involvement in policy and decision making can be grown and embedded across a council.

Bright Minds, Big Futures (BMBF) is a youth-led movement working together with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to make the borough a great place to grow up.