Case studies

Wolverhampton opened its first rapid testing centre in November and now has a network of seven across the city, using a hub and spoke approach.

At the end of 2020, Star Academies undertook pilots of daily COVID-19 testing in three of their schools (in Lancashire, Manchester and Birmingham).

Set up two ‘rapid’ community testing sites in Boston to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 in residents who are asymptomatic.

Local testing and stopping the spread of the virus through communities is key to protecting the public’s safety and wellbeing. Community testing in Waltham Forest offers rapid, lateral flow tests, allowing people who have no symptoms to know if they are infected.

Sandwell has a network of community leaders to promote vaccination; follow-up calls are also being made to those who refuse a jab; early data suggests there is little difference in uptake between ethnic groups.

St Albans city and district council helped the NHS set up a much-needed vaccination centre in a building which until December, was operating as a nightclub.

The council-owned railway museum, Steam, has been turned into a mass vaccination centre for the town.

Gloucestershire County Council set up a rapid testing centre at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester in early December, before launching one in the community.

Research and engagement is at the heart of our COVID-19 response and our Recovery Citizens Panel is one of the best examples of our approach. Representative of the diversity of our borough, it was formed to rapidly turn around insight to drive our strategic decision-making processes.

Waltham Forest has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help slow down the local rise in cases, the council launched a Stay Safe Champions scheme. First out on the streets, and now online, council officers and local volunteers have been directly engaging with residents, with the goal of informing, reassuring and supporting them. In parallel, our Play Safe Champions have been out on popular playgrounds to make sure children can safely access outdoor spaces and exercise.