For five years, @right-here.org has been pushing for community power and with the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill passing into law this year, momentum is growing.
What should the campaign prioritise in the next phase?
Share your views by 17 April ➡️ locality.tfaforms.net/284
Join the hopefuls. 'A Million Acts of Hope' action week, 13–20 May. A photo of a smiling girl.
Every day, across every community in the UK, people are showing up for each other.
From 13–20 May, ‘A Million Acts of Hope’ is bringing these everyday acts together - showing that care, connection, and community are stronger than divisive headlines.
Learn more and take part: millionactsofhope.org
A warm coloured graphic with images of people smiling and talking to each other. Big Local Unpacked: Sharing learning from 15 years of community-led change.
New events announced for Big Local Unpacked: a learning series developed by @londonfunders.bsky.social and @localtrust.org.uk, exploring what 15 years of community-led change can teach us about future funding and practice.
Learn more and register your place: londonfunders.org.uk/latest/event...
Today, we’re publishing two new guides on adopting the #KeepItLocal approach to transform health services. We’re exploring how the NHS can shift toward a prevention-focused “neighbourhood health service” by working with communities. (1/3)
Continuing our thanks to: @demos-uk.bsky.social @involveuk.bsky.social @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social @ippr.org @savechildrenuk.bsky.social @lseblogs.bsky.social @corganisers.bsky.social @the-winch.bsky.social 🧵4/4
And thanks to our excellent facilitator @johnhitchin.bsky.social & all the wonderful organisations in the room: @locality.org.uk @powertochange.org.uk @theyoungfdn.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social @peopleshealthtrust.bsky.social @wearenewlocal.bsky.social @localtrust.org.uk @hopenothate.org.uk 🧵3/4
Gathering so many inspiring individuals and organisations who are working to unlock community power in different ways in one room was incredibly energising. We came away full of ideas for what comes next.
Thanks to our kind hosts @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @esmeefairbairn.bsky.social. 🧵2/4
Workshop attendees listening to facilitator John Hitchin.
A packed room for our workshop in UCL.
Yesterday, we held a workshop with partners old and new to explore how we can claim the future for community power, together.
We reflected on how far we’ve come, where we are now, and how we can come together to build a stronger movement. 🧵1/4
A group photo of the community posing within All Souls Bolton. An orange header adorned with a big yellow star reads: "A community anchor restored for all."
When community spaces across Bolton were closing their doors, one boarded-up church, which had stood empty for 25 years, bucked the trend.
After years of campaigning, local people brought the building back to life. Read more about All Souls Bolton in the Museum of Community Futures: arcg.is/1bWTv11
Mint green graphic with pink text. It reads: "Help shape the future of community power."
Since our campaign launched 5 years ago, the conversation on community power has evolved.
We’re entering a new chapter of our campaign, and we want to shape it with you.
What should our campaign prioritise? Where can we have the greatest impact?
👉 Take our survey: locality.tfaforms.net/284
Last week, at the “Community Powered Neighbourhoods" event in Manchester, Annoushka Deighton warned against relying on repeated community consultations that often end without meaningful action.
She called instead for stronger rights & powers to support community leadership & action. #GMLiveWell
A mint green banner with the title "From preservation to community participation", accompanied by a photo of people waving and smiling outside Stretford Public Hall.
When Trafford Council planned to sell Stretford Public Hall to private developers, local people stepped in. ✋
Now it's owned by a community benefit society backed by 800+ residents. See the full story in the Museum of Community Futures:
www.right-here.org/museum-of-co...
Last chance to visit the Museum of Community Futures in Manchester.
Inside, you’ll find stories of communities across Greater Manchester transforming their places.
* Thursday 19 March 10:00–23:00
* Friday 20 March 10:00–18:00
* Saturday 21 March 10:00–18:00
A photo of the new park pavilion built by CommUNITY Little Hulton. The title reads: "Local investment, lasting change."
An unloved park is now home to a thriving community hub. How did local people make it happen?
From the Big Local programme to becoming a charity and Live Well Centre, see CommUNITY Little Hulton’s journey in the Museum of Community Futures.
www.right-here.org/museum-of-co...
@localtrust.org.uk
We have some big news for Greater Manchester’s VCSE Sector 🙌
We're proud to announce £16.5 million is coming to Greater Manchester’s VCSE sector to protect, grow and celebrate these spaces. Because communities are at their strongest when people have somewhere to come together.💛
🔗 lnkd.in/eXg2nMid
Community Futures postbox
A woman posts a dream for her community in the Community Futures postbox during the GM Live Well Spring Festival.
Do you have a dream for your community?
As part of the Museum of Community Futures, we’re inviting you to share what you'd like to change in your neighbourhood.
Post an idea in the Community Dream postboxes in Manchester’s Live well centres, or take part online:
www.right-here.org/museum-of-co...
A pink graphic with a photo of the Angels of Hope for Women team collecting an award. The title says "Led by lived experience."
When some women from the African community in Manchester faced abuse and trauma, they found it difficult to trust the support services on offer.
A community-led response called 'Angels of Hope' offered an alternative.
Explore the Museum of Community Futures: www.right-here.org/museum-of-co...
Yellow graphic with a mint-green ticket to the Museum of Community Futures. The headline reads: "See what's possible". The exhibition will take place in Factory International, Manchester 12–14 & 19–21 March as part of the Live Well Spring Festival.
The Museum of Community Futures shares powerful stories of local people across Greater Manchester defying the odds to achieve extraordinary change in their places.
📆 12–14, 19–21 March
📍Factory International & online
A Joint exhibition with @greatermcr.bsky.social www.right-here.org/museum-of-co...
Communities must be given the right to own environmental assets like rivers, woods & peat bogs
Thanks to @jenny4suffcoast.bsky.social & other MPs for writing this letter to Ministers, urging them to amend Community Right to Buy rules whilst there's still time:
www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/defaul...
Mint green graphic with a yellow ticket to the Museum of Community Futures. The headline says: You're Invited. The exhibition will take place in Factory International, Manchester 12–14 & 19–21 March as part of the Live Well Spring Festival.
What happens when a community’s dream is backed – not blocked – and becomes reality?
From 12 March, the Museum of Community Futures opens in Manchester, sharing stories of local people turning ideas into action. Explore in person & online: www.right-here.org/museum-of-co... @greatermcr.bsky.social
Lord Lucas urged the government to rethink its decision to close the Community Ownership Fund, recognising how it helped communities buy the places they love.
The new Community Right to Buy needs to come with funding and support so it’s truly accessible and can work for communities everywhere.
In Parliament, Lord Mawson shared how a community plan to improve a local park was derailed by a change in government.
It’s a reminder that goodwill isn’t enough. We need neighbourhood governance that embeds community power so no matter who's in power, communities have a lasting seat at the table.
A new report from @ipprnorth.bsky.social, supported by @localtrust.org.uk, argues that unitarisation must go hand-in-hand with reviving local democracy.
We strongly support its call to establish inclusive neighbourhood boards with 50%+ community representation.
Support is building for community‑led models of neighbourhood governance. Labour councillor Sam Dalton shares why locally rooted decision‑making must be central to the UK’s democratic renewal 👇 @right-here.org
Final push: the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill is in its last stages.
Can you take 2 minutes to write to the Minister asking her to back more community power over shaping services, controlling investment, & influencing decision-making?
And for a bonus article, ‘Labour’s quiet quest for democratic renewal’ via @labourlist.bsky.social
@sam-dalton.bsky.social, Councillor
👉 labourlist.org/2026/02/labo...
Reading list 🧵10/10
Local government’s missing layer: Neighbourhood governance.
Callin McLinden, @localis.bsky.social
👉 www.right-here.org/local-govern...
Reading list 🧵9/10
Participatory democracy is good for you! Neighbourhood governance in a Neighbourhood Health Service.
Sam Pluckrose-Oliver, @locality.org.uk
👉 www.right-here.org/participator...
Reading list 🧵8/10
