COVID-19 recovery from the community perspective in Middlesbrough: a coproduction cross-sectional study

Abstract Background People younger than 65 years living in deprivation are nearly four times more likely to die of COVID-19 and, in Middlesbrough, life expectancy is 12·6 years lower than those in the least deprived areas of England. We aimed to examine COVID-19 recovery from the perspective of members of the local communities in Middlesbrough. Methods In this coproduction cross-sectional study, we used purposive, semi-structured interviews, with recruitment via social media and community groups. Interviews were conducted via telephone or Microsoft Teams. Participants needed to be a resident of Middlesbrough and aged 18 years or older. Particular engagement was sought amongst those aged 18–30 years (n=15), older than 50 years (n=20), and individuals identifying as Black, Asian, or minority ethnic (n=22), or those residing in a TS1 or TS3 postcode area (n=23), with both areas being associated with high rates of deprivation, and Middlesbrough ranking fifth highest according to the 2019 English Indices of Deprivation (ONS, 2019). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis, coded blind to eliminate bias. Ethical clearance was granted by the Teesside University Ethics Sub-Committee at which time recruitment commenced. Written and verbal consent was obtained by the research team before any interviews started. Findings Between Oct 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021, we recruited and interviewed 52 people (26 women, 25 men, and one non-binary person), generating over 50 h of interview transcripts. From analysis of these transcripts, eight primary themes emerged: authority, autonomy, community, economy, fairness, framing, future, and wellbeing. Participants spoke of feeling abandoned by authorities, mistrusting of official information, and worries around the ability of their communities to survive financially through lockdowns. Interpretation Development of social capital is crucial to the development of a COVID-19 recovery strategy. Providing people with choices tailored to their local setting is fundamentally important. Mental health is a priority as we emerge from lockdown, particularly young people. Communication from authorities must be carefully framed, avoiding imperatives where possible. Better understanding is needed for the reasons behind mistrust of official information. Funding Middlesbrough Council.