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ABSTRACTIssues presented by COVID-19 to community resilience are located at individual, community and system level. In this paper, we reflect on WHO Europe propositions on what makes resilient communities, and explore how communities and systems with varying capacity have responded to the pandemic by absorbing and adapting to challenges. In our research, we are seeing local responses at all three levels, which challenge current assumptions about the respective roles of citizen, local voluntary sector and state. This paper presents opportunities and challenges to translating this reactive social movement into proactive resilience-transforming change in how local systems work in the future.

ABSTRACTThe contribution that housing associations have made to public health in recent years is recognised within research and policy literature. This paper examines a partnership pilot intervention implemented by one housing association and one community healthcare service provider that aimed to improve the health and well-being of people with complex needs living in social housing stock in one area in England. The pilot delivered co-commissioned personalised support using a holistic model of care. This paper describes the pilot intervention and associated findings drawn from a mixed methods evaluation. The findings illustrate positive service user reports, including improved health and well-being, increased independence and reduced social isolation. The intervention was also associated with reduced use of community health-care services; with an estimated potential local net saving of £20,818 during the year of the pilot. In conclusion, this small-scale pilot intervention supported clients with complex health needs whilst reducing demands on community health-care services. Despite more research being needed in this area, particularly from larger and longer-term studies, this paper contributes to the evidence base by illustrating an effective health and housing practice-based partnership approach.