Supporting colleagues through the pandemic

12 May 2020

How we set up new and constantly updated information and resources for 12,000 staff with a new microsite

Our University reacted quickly when the UK went into lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, choosing to close all but essential campus services to protect its 12,000 staff and 40,000 students.

We immediately set up a coronavirus microsite to support colleagues across campus as they faced this uniquely challenging situation, offering all the information they would need.

The StaffNet microsite includes many University and national news items and updates – which were updated regularly every day at the beginning of the period.

There were no less than 188 frequently asked questions on a myriad of subjects from how to work from home and how to balance caring and work responsibilities, to how expenses will be processed and what will happen to the post while the campus is closed. Again the answers to these questions changed as often the situation changed, each time requiring precise and timely responses.

In addition there were support offers and dozens of useful links, such as the NHS website, Public Health England guidance and government advice, along with the President’s Message.

All of this content was brought together via a cascade of meetings, from our Senior Leadership Team, communications leaders and Core Incident Group through to the relevant Internal Communications Teams.

COVID-19 has been our communications and marketing community’s biggest test, one that we’ve risen to and will keep on rising to as we face the ‘new normal’.