How is COVID-19 changing the relationship between communities and public services?

How has the relationship between communities and public services changed during this pandemic? And how do we ensure progress continues in the future?

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The pandemic has shown that communities are often best placed to confront crises at a local level through their deep knowledge of local needs, and existing relationships and networks. As a result, many have been called on by public services to support aid efforts. Local Trust asked NLGN to guest-host a discussion which considered what we can learn from the developments during COVID-19 to inform policy and practice in the future. The session explored how community responses to COVID-19 might disrupt the current relationship between communities and public services and how they could begin to shape a different dynamic in which residents have more power and control over what happens in their area.

Key points:

• In local pandemic responses, the partnership between public services and communities has become stronger.
• Digital technology is bringing public services and communities closer together.
• Sector lines have become blurred, with local businesses stepping up to help public services and fellow members of the community.
• Community activism has gone viral. It presents a real opportunity for public services and communities to unlock community power

With thanks to:

• Maddy Pritchard – Chair, Big Warsop
• Jon Alexander – Director of the New Citizenship Project
• Amanda Askham – Director of Business Improvement and Development, Cambridgeshire County Council
• Helen Buckingham – Director of Strategy and Operations, Nuffield Trust

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