Communities • Government Events

Articles

Universal Basic Services and Cash Payments: lessons from the Leeds City Council and Trussell Trust cash-first pilot

5 minute read

Jul 2023

Universal Basic Services is the idea of a form of social security in which a community receive free access to public services. In this article Rajiv Prabhakar, Senior Lecturer in Personal Finance at the Open University, discusses the Leeds Council cash first pilot and the way provides evidence about the ways cash and services can combine to help those in need access basic services

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The Tools Needed to End Veteran Homelessness

4 minute read

Jun 2023

There are many challenges homeless veterans face when accessing services on their journey out of homelessness. Lee Buss-Blair, Director of Operations at Riverside Housing discusses some of these issues and Op Fortitude funding which is in place to help the development and delivery of a centralised referral pathway for homeless veterans.

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Reducing Reoffending Rates Through Digital Inclusion

6 minute read

Apr 2023

In 2021, adult offenders in the UK had a proven reoffending rate of 24%, according to the Ministry of Justice. In this article, Leeds City Council share the impacts of the 100% Digital Leeds programme on prison leavers and how the programme has helped improve their real-life digital skills.

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The creation and implementation of the ‘Peer Wellbeing Project’

15 minute read

Apr 2023

Between 2021 and 2022, one of the primary concerns for young people contacting childline was mental health. In this article Harry Dixon, Engagement and Participation Worker for Compass...GO Lincolnshire Mental Health Support team discusses supporting children's mental health in schools and the implementation of the peer wellbeing project across North East Lincolnshire.

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Co-Producing Direct Payments that Work for Everyone in Adult Social Care

9 minute read

Mar 2023

With £5.4 billion of revenue from the new Health and Social Care Levy going towards social care reforms, there is renewed funding for local authorities to meet demands in adult social care. Kirklees Council share how they have implemented co-produced direct payments to support carers and those in care.

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Combatting the Challenge of Gambling Harms

10 minute read

Mar 2023

Around 7% of the population are found to be negatively affected by someone else’s gambling, according to the 2021 Public Health England review. In this article Paul Dent, Strategic Engagement Lead at Gordon Moody, discusses the current landscape of gambling and the challenges organisations face when supporting problem gamblers.

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The Cybercrime Awareness Clinic: Lessons in Training Individuals within the Organisation to Become More Cyber-Aware

7 minute read

Mar 2023

Between 2021 and 2022, 39% of UK businesses identified cyber attacks on their businesses, according to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2022. Dr Vasileios Karagiannopoulos, a Reader in Cybercrime and Cybersecurity at the University of Portsmouth discusses the Cybercrime Awareness Clinic they have in place at the university to support stakeholders and businesses, educating them on the challenges of cybercrime.

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The Benefits of Using Intergenerational Programmes in Care Settings

6 minute read

Feb 2023

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing are the UK's first tenant and employee co-owned housing society. They discuss working in partnership with Rochdale Sixth Form to deliver an intergenerational programme to both improve tenants technological skills and help students understand the positive impact they have on the older generation.

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Supporting Digital Skills and Reducing Social Isolation Amongst Older People

4 minute read

Jan 2023

Around 3.3 million people reported feeling chronically lonely in 2022, according to research from the campaign to end loneliness. Laura Joplin, Head of Impact at Reengage, discusses the challenges digital exclusion poses for adult loneliness and the measures Re-engage have deployed to reduce isolation.

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Drawing on Legislation to Support Local Government in the Fight Against Online Fraud

10 minute read

Aug 2022

In this post Dr Lucian Tipi, Head of Teaching and Learning Enhancement of the College of Business, Technology and Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University, discusses what UK and International legislation is in place to help support local Authorities in tackling online fraud.

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Taking steps towards Ending Veteran Rough Sleeping

5 minute read

Jul 2022

Between 3-6% of homeless people in the UK come from an armed forces background. Lee Buss-Blair, Director of Operations-Care and Support Functions at Riverside homes, he shares with us some of the steps needed to end veteran rough sleeping.

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The Importance of Having a Gendered Approach to Housing First

6 minute read

Jul 2022

1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime, and often women experience this alongside homelessness. Louisa Steele, Housing First and Homelessness Project Manager at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, shares how the Westminster Violence Against Women and Girls Housing First project are working to deliver tailored support and housing for women.

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