Blog Post Community Wellbeing Financial vulnerability in the pandemic: a dilemma for local authorities The Coronavirus pandemic has necessitated a shift in the way in which we, as a society, think about vulnerability. Historically, we have tended towards a moral definition of vulnerability, which gives rise to a set of obligations and duties which have been enshrined in legislation such as the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act, 2014 […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government June 24, 2020
Blog Post Research and Impact The Coronavirus pandemic – an opportunity for policy entrepreneurs? It has become something of a mantra that ‘things cannot be the same’ after the Coronavirus pandemic. This is partly because of a growing sense that if, as seems likely, the Coronavirus pandemic will be with us for some time, we won’t be able to work, shop, learn and socialise as we used to, even […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact Methods and approaches June 19, 2020
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Building back better: the importance of a green stimulus The Coronavirus pandemic-driven lockdown imposed across the UK has upended most aspects of day-to-day life. Whilst the economic cost of the lockdown is severe, one noticeable side-effect has been the impact of lockdown on the environment. Globally, CO2 emissions have reduced more as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic than from any other world event. […] Read more Topics: Economy Just Transition Net Zero June 17, 2020
Blog Post Community Wellbeing The role of Welsh local government in a post-Coronavirus world The role that local government plays in the frontline provision of public services is highlighted and accentuated at times of crisis. Councils across Wales have co-ordinated and delivered a range of actions in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, including distributing over £500m in grants to businesses and supporting a wide range of vulnerable people and […] Read more Topics: Local government June 12, 2020
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Recovering from the Coronavirus pandemic: maintaining a legacy of volunteering One of the few positive side effects of the pandemic has been the apparent eruption in volunteering we’ve seen across Welsh communities – both in terms of the grassroots groups that have sprung up all over the country and the thousands of volunteers who have signed up with Volunteer Wales and local councils. We’ve heard […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration June 10, 2020
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Clapping after Coronavirus: The implications of the Coronavirus pandemic for health and social care workers The Coronavirus pandemic has turned the world’s attention to the work of our carers. Each week, many of us have been clapping to recognise and show our appreciation for the difficult jobs that those in health and social care, as well as other key workers, are doing. The pandemic highlights, more than ever, the challenges […] Read more Topics: Employment Health inequalities work and skills June 3, 2020
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Research and Impact The implications of the Coronavirus pandemic for the Welsh economy The Coronavirus pandemic is having a profound and unprecedented impact on the Welsh economy – an economy already weakened by retrenchment and austerity in the public sector following the 2008 financial crisis, in addition to the challenges posed by leaving the European Union. The Coronavirus pandemic adds to these challenges and exposes existing vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Impact May 27, 2020
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Research and Impact When this is all over: Recovering from Coronavirus ‘When this is all over’ has to be one of the most over-used phrases of the Coronavirus pandemic. But will it, in fact, ever be over? Maybe this is a very sudden but quite short-lived shock. But it seems much more likely that Coronavirus will have lasting long-term effects that leave our economy and society […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Research and Impact: Impact May 20, 2020
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Research and Impact Can Research Apprenticeships open the door to a policy career? The Wales Centre for Public Policy introduced the Research Apprenticeship scheme in 2017. The aim was to build the capacity of researchers to engage with policymakers and public services to address key challenges in Wales. Each year, we provide an opportunity for an outstanding graduate to gain first-hand experience of providing evidence for policymaking. The […] Read more Research and Impact: Methods and approaches PhD interns May 12, 2020
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Loneliness in Lockdown Prior to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 16% of the Welsh population identified as lonely, and it is known that loneliness and social isolation present significant challenges to public health and well-being. Several Public Service Boards have identified reducing them as a priority for their areas and the Welsh Government released its own Loneliness Strategy in […] Read more Topics: Loneliness April 30, 2020
