LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 1/50 - Now they see us:

Now they see us:

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 2/50 - About this report Now they see us is the…

About this report Now they see us is the second research report from a major study commissioned by Local Trust on how communities respond to crisis. The first report from September 2020 followed 26 communities across England, looking at how they reacted to the initial lockdown and adapted to challenges that followed. This report follows the same communities from October 2020 to March 2021 through what became an evolving crisis rather than the recovery that was envisaged. It is based on an ongoing literature review and learning conversations with activists and workers in these communities, and supplemented by in-depth interviews with local government staff and Big Local reps. Angus McCabe, Mandy Wilson and Rob Macmillan Local Trust is registered in England and Wales, charity number 1147511, company number 07833396. localtrust.org.uk This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-ncsa/4.0/

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 3/50 - Contents

Contents

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 4/50 - Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 5/50 - Executive summary

Executive summary

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 6/50 - 2

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 7/50 - Introduction

Introduction

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 8/50 - In addition: � Of the 26 areas, 23 have …

In addition: � Of the 26 areas, 23 have above-average

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 9/50 - About Big Local

About Big Local

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 10/50 - Research: Phase 2

Research: Phase 2

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 11/50 - Communities responding to COVID-19: Foll…

Communities responding to COVID-19: Following the story

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 12/50 - Source: Birchfield Big Local, Birmingham

Source: Birchfield Big Local, Birmingham

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 13/50 - Changing circumstances require changing …

Changing circumstances require changing responses

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 14/50 - As the crisis has evolved, existing need…

As the crisis has evolved, existing needs within communities have been amplified and new needs have emerged.There has been a growing awareness of the scale of the challenge and evidence of a more focused approach to meeting residents needs. Community responses have adapted accordingly. In the remainder of this section we focus on three broad sets of issues faced by communities over recent months � poverty, mental health and inequalities � and what they have done in response.

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 15/50 - As the pandemic has evolved, community g…

As the pandemic has evolved, community groups have ramped up their focus on food, broadening their offer, reaching out beyond the regulars and connecting to new families. Many communities benefited from Christmas food hampers, takeaway food vouchers and hot food deliveries. Examples include sending a food truck to a school to serve 100 hot meals to children and families, pop-up food tables on streets and in gardens, distributing healthy eating growing packs, connecting commercial cafes with a local food network, and exploring, post-lockdown, pay-as-you-feel community cafes. For one community group, where eating well and reducing food waste has always been an additional

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 16/50 - Financial poverty has been exacerbated b…

Financial poverty has been exacerbated by rising levels of unemployment and under-employment, especially in areas where people are on casual or zero-hour contracts and working in sectors badly hit by the crisis such as travel, hospitality and other face-to-face services (OSCI, 2021, p. 2). All local authority areas witnessed rises of one-third in under- and unemployment, and 20 per cent of areas saw unemployment more than double (OCSI, 2021, p. 1). As one resident noted, this is likely to be a worsening situation:

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 17/50 - A faith-based project distributing donat…

A faith-based project distributing donated items such as beds, televisions and vouchers for childrens scooters found the demand alarming:

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 18/50 - Environmental poverty has also been expo…

Environmental poverty has also been exposed as lockdowns have worn on, through the increasing emphasis on the importance of the quality of local environments, both built and open spaces. One community worker commented:

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 19/50 - And a local trader confirmed:

And a local trader confirmed:

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 20/50 - interviews, as well as in national resea…

interviews, as well as in national research (YoungMinds, 2021).10 In a few areas, these vocalised concerns reflect an increase in drug use. One community volunteer commented:

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 21/50 - Source: CELL Big Local, Northumberland

Source: CELL Big Local, Northumberland

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 22/50 - The research shows how some initial resp…

The research shows how some initial responses to the crisis have continued, particularly in relation to food poverty, although there is evidence that the nature of services is shifting as more sustainable and equitable solutions are sought. Some activities, however, have been scaled back or stopped because they are less popular than they were. For example, a digital project is still operating because there is an ongoing demand for digital access but the reach of the project is no longer expanding as it did in the first phase. Likewise, some online youth activities have seen a drop-off in terms of participation.

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 23/50 - Sustaining engagement, relationships and…

Sustaining engagement, relationships and action

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 24/50 - Photographer: Andrew Aitchison

Photographer: Andrew Aitchison

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 25/50 - format. While most groups have managed t…

format. While most groups have managed to retain existing members from before the pandemic, most have struggled to recruit new members, either for activities or to committees. One community worker noted that building a collective voice is much harder when not meeting face to face. Feedback has also indicated that virtual meetings can exacerbate issues between people, with some seen as being too frank, insensitive or unprofessional. One resident said: "You cant take people aside and have a cup of tea and calm things down on Zoom."

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 26/50 - They went on to describe how their local…

They went on to describe how their local food distribution network had become "not bureaucratic but better organised". The network uses Zoom and Teams, one volunteer has a spreadsheet and arranges on a Sunday who will do what in the week, lists are sent out via WhatsApp and times for pickups are negotiated. In other areas, e-referrals between agencies have speeded up access to services, reduced the administrative burden on volunteers and enabled community groups to match volunteers with local volunteering opportunities. Several groups reported becoming more efficient, streamlining their systems and putting support mechanisms in place so volunteers dont take on too much. A foodbank lead explained:

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 27/50 - Photographer: Lorne Campbell

Photographer: Lorne Campbell

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 28/50 - Source: Northfleet Big Local, Kent

Source: Northfleet Big Local, Kent

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 29/50 - more next week" and being happy that the…

more next week" and being happy that the lockdown was ending as it would allow them to have a rest.

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 30/50 - had the impetus to work together once th…

had the impetus to work together once the immediate response was no longer needed.There is also a growing awareness that the community action observed over the last year should be more than `just a way to fast-track voluntary-based services and that the focus on service delivery should not detract from the core purpose of community engagement and the building of a collective voice.

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 31/50 - members and other agencies.The downside …

members and other agencies.The downside is that relationships are qualitatively different and the human interaction of live get-togethers and informal chats in face-to-face meetings has been missed.

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 32/50 - Differences in response and recovery bet…

Differences in response and recovery between 26 areas

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 33/50 - Community responses

Community responses

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 34/50 - Big Local areas

Big Local areas

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 35/50 - `Left behind areas

`Left behind areas

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 36/50 - Moving on from lockdown: Ongoing respons…

Moving on from lockdown: Ongoing responses

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 37/50 - Source: Northfleet Big Local, Kent

Source: Northfleet Big Local, Kent

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 38/50 - Digital inclusion Digital inclusion has …

Digital inclusion Digital inclusion has become critical during COVID-19.The support provided through loans of computers, databanks and Zoom training has been life-changing for some but much more free access and practical support is needed in the future if people are to be fully included.

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 39/50 - Looking to the future

Looking to the future

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 40/50 - promote or hinder co-operation.

promote or hinder co-operation.

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 41/50 - Appendix 1

Appendix 1

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 42/50 - The leaders of the UKs four nations agre…

The leaders of the UKs four nations agree on plans for Christmas that will 24/11/20 allow three households to meet up indoors and outdoors for five days from

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 43/50 - 13/1/21 17/1/21 18/1/21 19/1/21 20/1/21

13/1/21 17/1/21 18/1/21 19/1/21 20/1/21

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 44/50 - Appendix 2

Appendix 2

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 45/50 - Jo Cox Loneliness Commission (2018). Com…

Jo Cox Loneliness Commission (2018). Combatting loneliness one conversation at a time. Jo Cox Loneliness Commission, London.

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 46/50 - Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion …

Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (2021: 2). Which local labour markets are most at risk? OCSI, Brighton. https:// ocsi.uk/2020/04/29/which-local-labourmarkets-are-most-at-risk/

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 47/50 - Appendix 3

Appendix 3

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 48/50 - `Left behind areas

`Left behind areas

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 49/50 - Now they see us: Communities responding …

Now they see us: Communities responding to COVID-19 47

LT-21-07-Now-they-see-us.pdf - page 50/50 - About Local Trust

About Local Trust