A4 colour newsletter, "Community Support Newsletter Covid-19" distributed to Brighton and Hove households during early weeks of COVID-19 pandemic, Brighton, UK, March 2020

When Boris Johnson ordered the public to ‘stay at home’ on 23 March 2020, local communities were quick to respond. Existing organisations were joined by self-organising mutual aid groups in providing essential services and supplies to those in need.

This newsletter – co-produced by several local community associations – contains information about various services, including the Brighton & Hove City Council COVID-19 Community Support Hub, where residents could apply for help for themselves or a neighbour. It includes the photographs, names, and phone numbers of Community Engagement Officers employed by the council and the Trust for Developing Communities – a charity established to tackle inequality in the city – and provides details about new food hubs set up for those struggling to afford basic provisions.

Volunteer and community organisations played a crucial role in supporting society’s most disadvantaged during the pandemic. Drawing on their existing connections with marginalised groups, they helped coordinate efforts and reach those excluded from neighbourhood initiatives.