Hidden Needs in Northamptonshire II

A report on the Hidden Needs in Northamptonshire (Paterson-Young, Hazenberg and Brylka, 2017) highlighted the significant issues facing people living in Northamptonshire including poverty, health inequalities and social isolation. The problems affecting Northamptonshire have been exacerbated by Coronavirus (Covid-19), also known as SARS-CoV-2, a virus that has been spreading worldwide, affecting an individual’s lungs and airways (with other affects under investigation). Action taken to limit the spreading of Covid-19 has included lockdown of entire countries, including the United Kingdom. This measure consists mainly of physical isolation and social distancing, but in the long term, has resulted in social isolation and lower levels of well-being (Pierce, et al., 2020; Iob, Steptoe, and Fancourt, 2020). The impact on social isolation and well-being is intensified for individuals already experiencing a high level of deprivation and low levels of health and well-being. Research (Bell and Blanchflower, 2020) shows that approximately 20% of people had lost at least half of their income due to Covid-19.

The research seeks to update the original Hidden Needs report, produced in 2017, to assess the hidden needs of Northamptonshire’s population in 2022. Northamptonshire Community Foundation (NCF), a charity that delivers a variety of funding for the local voluntary and community sector in the region to support community-based action improving the lives of the county’s most disadvantaged people and communities, s commissioning this update research. The assessment of the county’s hidden needs will help NCF to identify social problems in the county that need urgent attention and encourage prospective donors to contribute to these specific areas.

The research seeks to update the original Hidden Needs report, produced in 2017, to assess the hidden needs of Northamptonshire’s population in 2022. Northamptonshire Community Foundation (NCF), a charity that delivers a variety of funding for the local voluntary and community sector in the region to support community-based action improving the lives of the county’s most disadvantaged people and communities, s commissioning this update research. The assessment of the county’s hidden needs will help NCF to identify social problems in the county that need urgent attention and encourage prospective donors to contribute to these specific areas.