Rising to the challenge together summit

Central to the Summit were three panel sessions which focused on a series of recovery 'mission' topics which have emerged locally and nationally as priorities. 

a) An Inclusive, sustainable recovery

Covid-19 has had an unprecedented and significant effect on the UK economy and here in Norfolk. We know that many of our people and businesses face difficult times and uncertainty. Our education, jobs, and livelihoods have been impacted and we have seen the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on different communities, exacerbating existing inequalities.

This session provided an opportunity to explore how we can build forward the economy to be more inclusive and sustainable, whilst boosting entrepreneurialism and productivity with the innovations seen during the pandemic.

Panel Themes & Priorities

• Increasing skills & wages
• Effective pathways from education to work
• Investment in physical & social infrastructure
• Digital access & rural connectivity
• Green recovery & growth
• Increasing productivity through innovation & technology
• Fairer recovery with support to the most affected communities & sectors

b) Children and young people

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an immeasurable impact on all of us, but it has become apparent that children and young people will carry a heavy burden from the impact of the pandemic in terms of their mental and emotional wellbeing, education, training and employment pathways.

We need to respond to the immediate challenges to children, young people and their families if we are to avoid long-term damage to their prospects. This session was an opportunity to look at how we can place children and young people at the heart of our plans to 'build back better' and help them to flourish.

Panel Themes & Priorities

• Build back better & fairer not 'back to normal' Recognise the different experiences from the pandemic Help for those who have lost opportunities
• Mental health & wellbeing support
• Digital access & inequalities
• Support for transition points in education and into work
• Early intervention & prevention to tackle the root causes of inequalities

c) Stronger, fairer communities

During this challenging time, we have seen great strengths and opportunities come from our communities. All over the county, people have stepped up to help those in need and look out for their family, friends and neighbours.

Public sector and community services have worked more closely together than ever before to find ways to continue supporting those that rely on them, thinking innovatively through the challenges. We have seen how communities have a wealth of knowledge and assets within them.

This session considered how to deepen these relationships and make them sustainable to strengthen resilience and enable prevention-focused approaches.

Panel Themes & Priorities

• Collaborative culture change
• Community voices & perspectives; listening & engaging
• Sharing capacity with the community
• Integrated, holistic approaches to prevention & inequalities
• Data sharing & targeted, evidence-led approaches Infrastructure & access to technology to connect to communities