Abstract
Background: In the UK, individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds faced disproportionate impacts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Luton, the first designated Marmot Town in England, stands as one of the most super-diverse and socially deprived regions, significantly affected by the pandemic. To address these disparities, Luton Borough Council and the Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation funded the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations to implement a collaborative service model inspired by the Luton Fairness Taskforce. Commissioned under the ‘Covid Recovery Collaboration Fund’, this initiative aimed to reduce health and wellbeing inequalities among Luton's diverse population.
Approach: The Institute for Health Research at the University of Bedfordshire conducted a multi-mixed-method evaluation of this model, assessing its effectiveness, sustainability, challenges, and enabling factors. Data were collected from impact reports, end-of-grant documents, focus groups, interviews, and case studies. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using NVivo, and quantitative data were analysed using SPSS. Overall findings from all the sources were triangulated to provide comprehensive insights.
Results: The project served 7,177 individuals, with 52% of them being White and 48% of service users from other ethnic background, reflecting the ethnic diversity of Luton. A collaborative model among VCSE organisations with diverse skill sets enhanced performance by minimising duplication, fostering innovation and creativity, and expanding the scope of services. This approach facilitated the achievement of sustainable outcomes. Successful implementation required strong community trust that facilitated engagement, regular meetings, training, and lead oversight. However, challenges such as data-sharing agreements, funders’ expectations, and resource constraints affected delivery.
Implications: While collaboration offers enhanced service delivery and innovation, addressing resource limitations, governance issues, and local authority support is crucial to fully harness its potential benefits and sustainability.