HCC - Covid19 Update

Keep Hampshire Safe

The County Council has launched a new information and communications campaign ‘Keep Hampshire Safe’ to support the delivery of Hampshire’s Local Outbreak Control Plan (LOCP) objectives, and the important work of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board. The communications strategy comprises two key strands: ensuring an effective and swift communications approach in response to a local incident or outbreak; and proactive prevention and amplification of NHS Test and Trace messages. The general public and stakeholders are being signposted to a new web page www.hants.gov.uk/coronavirus which includes a number of resources and assets and contains links to a new Covid-19 dashboard, providing ‘at-a-glance’ data on infection rates across the county. The campaign will include promotion of a small number of universal messages that align to the Government’s key lines, supported by a changing set of weekly campaign messaging. The latter will be a mixture of organic and targeted paid-for activity including print and digital assets, where ‘harder to reach’ groups are the target audience. These include the BAME community, especially those in our communities identified as most at risk of harm from Covid-19, young people aged 18-24, the over 65s, single mothers with young children and the working age population aged 25-64. In line with best practice, communications and messaging going forward will reflect the traffic light colours of red, amber, green to help local residents recognise the risk level at any given time, with signposting to the latest information and advice.

Visit Hampshire

Visit Hampshire, the County Council’s tourism promotion service, has been successful in their bid for funding from the Cabinet Office. It have been awarded £300,000 to spend on media. Visit Hampshire were one of only 11 successful bids across England and one of a small number that received the maximum available amount.
The funding will enable Visit Hampshire to amplify the Unlock Summer campaign throughout August. The campaign, which is being promoted on the Visit Hampshire website, on social media and via email aims to increase the number of visitors taking day trips and short breaks to Hampshire, as well encouraging residents to “holiday at home”. The campaign should aid recovery for tourism businesses throughout the county. To inspire confidence, and to remind people to follow the Government’s Covid-safety guidelines, the campaign supports the national Know Before You Go and We’re Good to Go consumer confidence and industry standard campaigns.

Solent University and business recovery

In recognition of its role in promoting and supporting economic revival, Solent University has launched its Business Recovery Commitment. The University aims to support a wide range of businesses in their recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 by providing practical help, as well as offering a research and knowledge exchange that will have a meaningful impact. Solent University will offer cost effective solutions for businesses and in some cases will be able to provide pro-bono support. Solent University will work alongside partners including Hampshire County Council, Business South, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Solent LEP and Southampton City Council to ensure their plans support the region’s economic revival. For more information and to sign up to receive updates, visit Solent University's business recovery webpages. Solent University has also announced that their Solent Business School is working with the Small Business Charter to deliver a specialised government funded programme for leaders of small businesses to recover from the impacts of Covid-19 and develop potential for future growth and productivity. The short programme will be delivered online through a structured course of eight 90-minute webinars over the course of 10 weeks and will provide the knowledge needed for businesses to tackle crisis situations. It aims to give businesses the opportunity to strengthen their business network. To read more about the programme and register visit the Small Business Charter website