Exploring published literature of emerging practice as a response to challenges due to COVID-19
15 June 2020
The summaries below are of articles that might help thinking about what has been learned from the COVID-19 experience so far, along with suggestions on how this might be used to support improvement in future.
This week, featured articles include those regarding:
Overview
There is increasing evidence emerging about how COVID-19 and the related lockdown policies have impacted people and communities.
A growing focus is on the unequal impact across society. The MJ has written about the risks of these inequalities persisting into the recovery phase, echoing a number of other publications focussed on how we can and need to look at how to apply learning from the pandemic.
A significant lesson that emerges from publications is the shift in relationship between the state, people and communities. A linking theme between lessons from the pandemic and future action is the role of engagement that is beginning to be considered as a vital element of post-COVID-19 improvement.
Summaries
Emerging practice in communities
Responding to COVID-19 in Kintore
A recently formed community group, Lend a Hand (LAH) Kintore, is now regularly responding to local requests for help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
LAH Kintore was set up in mid-March 2020 when Kintore and District Community Council, Kintore Parish Church, Kintore Community Church and other concerned citizens independently saw the need to help the community and joined forces to offer a coordinated approach. Since then, over 100 volunteers have signed up and over 700 have become members of the Facebook group.
Strong collaboration and volunteer support have been key to LAH Kintore's early success. The steering group is made up of individuals with differing skills, knowledge and networks and this has been put to good use. Volunteers have distributed a magazine to every household in Kintore to keep the community informed and aware of their options if any assistance is required.
Forth Valley Sensory Centre's COVID-19 response
An example of how the Forth Valley Sensory Centre has been supporting people through the changes and challenges brought about by lockdown policies.
The centre stayed open through the COVID-19 pandemic and responded to new needs in a number of ways:
- providing accessible information: the centre has coronavirus information in braille and worked with partners to produce British Sign Language videos on coronavirus. They have also set up a talking newspaper service as the existing one closed. This offers a trusting news source.
- befriending: the befriending service has been moved to telephone, video calls, text and email to continue to support people remotely
- listening: the centre remains a hub and are using social media to listen to what people might need to support them. This has included support with bills and finances, holistic therapy and social contact.
Building Forward, for the Future: what can a wellbeing approach achieve for young people and generations to come?
A reflective blog outlining what COVID-19 has highlighted about the wellbeing needs of young people and how these might be supported going forward.
The blog identifies four key areas of wellbeing for young people, describes the impact COVID-19 has had on these and suggests steps to take when looking at COVID-19 recovery.
Social wellbeing:
- The crisis has highlighted the importance of connection, and of the value of access to spaces and places that facilitate interaction, both on and offline.
- It is those with reduced access, space within their homes and opportunity that are the most vulnerable to rising inequalities. Many of these individuals are young people.
- Along with ensuring everyone has what they need to participate in online spaces, developing better physical spaces is essential. Indoor and outdoor spaces that are stigma and agenda free are vital to enable relationships and interactions to flourish.
Economic wellbeing:
- Around one third of 18-24 year olds are currently on furlough, or are now completely without work. Many of the younger generation have been affected to a greater degree than most.
- In developing an economic recovery a holistic measurement of society’s progress is needed, along with a review of what constitutes 'growth' - measuring Gross Domestic Product (GDP) does not sufficiently tell us about quality of life, relationships or health.
Environmental wellbeing:
- Green and blue infrastructure has been a lifeline to many over the past months, it has been highlighted as having significant value to our wellbeing.
- Recovery from COVID-19 offers a new space for the UK to go further towards its target of cutting emissions to net zero by 2050.
Democratic wellbeing:
- COVID-19 has necessitated strict limitations on movement and behaviour, creating a need for more communication and transparency between citizens and the state.
- Many want more opportunities to understand government decisions, suggesting a need for more deliberative methods, or better public engagement in the methods that already exist.