In response, Hertfordshire’s Community Reassurance Cell, on behalf of the Local Resilience Forum, has launched a new survey to better understand the needs, challenges and aspirations of Hertfordshire residents and community groups.
The online survey asks the public and those providing community services a series of questions to collect views about the impact of coronavirus on their lives, what support is needed and how that has changed since the start of the pandemic.
It follows a survey in 2020 which revealed mental health as the biggest concern for residents, followed by economic hardship and how the pandemic was affecting already disadvantaged groups, including people with disabilities, BAME communities and young people with special educational needs.
The survey results will be used to shape the county’s ongoing recovery plans, ensuring support is targeted where it is needed most.
Councillor Linda Haysey, Leader of East Herts Council and Chair of the Community Reassurance Cell, said: “Hearing from our local communities is absolutely vital so that we understand their needs now, and how we can help them cope with the unpredictable nature of the Covid-19 pandemic in the future.
“We’re proud of Hertfordshire’s incredible community spirit as residents, businesses and community groups continue to come together and adapt. We want to know how we can best support those efforts, as we all learn to live with Covid-19.”
The short survey can be found online at: www.opinionresearch.co.uk/Herts_Covid19_CIA_2021_22 and is open until Friday, 21 January 2022.