Case studies

The Story Buses were initially launched in January 2020. The buses arose from the need to replace the library vehicle fleet and resulted in two Story Buses, named Sam and Nelly by the children, with exciting exterior designs by illustrator Nick Sharratt and interiors with well-designed spaces to sit and read.

Tees Active is a charitable leisure trust established by Stockton-onTees Borough Council in 2004. As well as providing cost-efficient management of council facilities, it delivers a range of commissioned services that contribute to the local health strategy.

Stevenage’s 10-year Arts & Heritage Strategy is centred on a co-production approach between the council and community, responding to community needs and ensuring sustainable cultural growth. A particular focus on working with and developing marginalised communities also ensures cultural growth addresses socio-economic inequalities, including disproportionate impact of COVID-19.

Staffordshire Library and Arts Service’s annual history festival, which usually involves over 100 events in libraries across the County went entirely online as a result of the Covid pandemic.

The Start Well Wheel is a tool for parents/carers to track all appointments and key milestones in their child’s life.

Age Concern Tyneside South (ACTS) and Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums (TWAM) started up a weekly history social group for people over 55 living in South Tyneside at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery in January 2022.

The council had previously assessed the leisure management options on the expiry of its leisure contract, and had decided to extend the contract in place for a period of 15 months in order to procure a new contract arrangement. As a result of COVID-19 this position proved unviable, as the council were providing significant financial support to their contractor, and a procurement during the pandemic was not likely to produce a beneficial result. The council therefore reassessed the options available, and as a result Cabinet agreed to transfer the leisure service to a wholly-owned council company called LeisureSK Ltd.

Sounds Around is a game designed in partnership with Northumberland Care NHS Foundation Trust for care professionals to use with people with dementia or brain injury.

"Slung Low responded rapidly to the crisis facing the local community. They provided a vital lifeline to residents of Holbeck and Beeston."

A unique trail of cast bronze roundels maps out a walking route past public artworks, landmarks and points of interest in the Lincolnshire town of Sleaford.