A public consultation in Mossley revealed that residents wanted a community hub - so Mossley Big Local delivered. Today, their new hub hosts activities & events led by local groups across the area.
At our recent celebration event, Mossley residents shared what community-led change means to them 👇
In St Matthews, too many young people were being left out and drawn into trouble. So the partnership created a multi-use games area (MUGA): a space to play, connect and belong
At our recent celebration event, we spoke to Lee Nicholls and Imran Dedat about the difference it’s made👇
Graphic with “Local Trust | Big Local” logo and a quote reading, “They say in recovery, you have to change one thing – everything. That’s what I did. I changed everything.” Attributed to “Sam Delaney, Creative Start CIC”, alongside a photo of a man in a black cap painting a colourful brick mural with the name “Delaney’s” and a green shamrock.
Mural of silhouetted figures, planes, birds, and a red scooter against a blue sky scene on a building, with “Local Trust | Big Local” at the top and a quote reading, “I only used art because it helped my head. It helped to take me out of myself and stop me thinking.” The “COMMUNITY FUND” logo appears in the bottom right.
Large mural of stylised buildings on a bright blue background with a person walking past, “Local Trust | Big Local” at the top, and a quote reading, “When you look at how much work, how much output we have, that comes down to our volunteers. It’s at the core of everything we do. It’s the backbone of it all.” The “COMMUNITY FUND” logo appears in the bottom right.
Interior of a café space with wooden tables, chairs, and a bar area with “Black Gull” signage on the wall, alongside a mural of birds, with “Local Trust | Big Local” at the top and a quote reading, “We’ve got one of the best infrastructures now – recovery of lived experience infrastructures – in the country. There’s never been a better time to get well.” The “COMMUNITY FUND” logo is shown in the bottom right.
Sam Delaney is using his journey through addiction and recovery to help others. With the support of Big Local North Cleethorpes, he founded Creative Start CIC - a community recovery & arts organisation.
This #WorldArtDay, his story shows the power of creativity and community: https://bit.ly/3OhYZpl
In Warsop, residents used Big Local funding to rebuild three community hubs, revive their carnival, fund local ideas, and help save their fire station.
Here, partnership chair Maddie reflects on her own journey of personal growth & shares what funders can do to better support communities 👇
Graphic with the Local Trust and Big Local logos at the top left and a portrait of a smiling woman wearing glasses on the right; the text reads, “How Big Local built a legacy of place-based pride” and “Tilly Steward, Senior policy and parliamentary manager, Local Trust.” The National Lottery Community Fund logo appears at the bottom right.
What does it really take to build pride in place?
Our senior policy & parliamentary manager Tilly Steward shares examples of Big Local areas that have built community prideand what others can learn from their approach: https://bit.ly/4svPjph
Oldham Big Local brought together three neighbouring, divided communities through building social infrastructure and resident-led change.
We spoke to Amjid & Naeem from the partnership about the legacy of the Big Local programme, & how it has helped empower their community.👇
🔗 https://bit.ly/4mo6ffN
In Whitleigh, residents came together to transform their area - from a mobile community van to improved parks and a wellbeing art group, creating spaces to connect.
Becky, chair of the Whitleigh Big Local partnership, shares her journey and what others can learn from it.
Watch below 👇
This image features a person smiling, wearing a shirt with the "Our Sale West" logo. A quote reads, "The community feels prouder to live in Sale West." The name "Clare Standish" and title are included. Logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and the Community Fund are present, along with colorful decorations.
Clare Standish is the chief officer of Our Sale West CIO - their Big Local's legacy organisation.
Here, Clare shares what they’ve achieved, the legacy they're building, & how the experience has shaped her. She also sets out four lessons for community organisations doing similar work: bit.ly/4dAC8zs
“It’s very easy to have lots and lots of ideas...but the real challenge is making them sustainable in the short, medium & long term."
🎥Laurie from Noel Park Big Local reflects on how resident-led action helped transform their area & shares his advice for communities working to create lasting change.
What is community pride & why does it matter?
In this Community Pride Podcast episode, Kayla Jones travels to Barrowcliff Big Local to see how community pride is built. She also explores what makes Big Local different, & why resident-led decision-making creates lasting change: https://bit.ly/41tKrpH
Graphic with a green background and bunting flags, featuring the Local Trust logo and the text “WE ARE Big Local”. Large white text reads “What Big Local stories teach us about community-led change,” followed by “Dr Kayla Jones – Creative practitioner and researcher, Host, Community Pride Podcast”; on the right is a photo of a smiling woman with blonde hair speaking into a microphone, with candles and a decorative vase behind her, and the Community Fund logo in the bottom corner.
“What I’ve learned is that community power rarely starts with a sweeping change.”
Dr Kayla Jones has been speaking with residents across Big Local areas for our Community Pride Podcast.
In this blog, she shares what those conversations reveal about how community-led change: https://bit.ly/4sMwKhn
4,916 residents involved🤝
200 community assets created🏘️
123 legacy organisations established🌿
This is just a glimpse of what Big Local residents have achieved over the past 15 years.
Last week, we celebrated these achievements at the ‘We Are Big Local’ event - take a look👇
🔗 https://bit.ly/4m0lV8O
A green promotional graphic from Local Trust featuring colourful bunting and a portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a beige blazer and white top on the right. Image also features the Local Trust logo and the text “WE ARE Big Local”, “Big Local is ending – but the legacy of resident-led change continues”, “Rachel Rowney”, “Chief executive, Local Trust”, alongside the National Lottery Community Fund logo in the bottom right.
“Big Local was always only meant to last 15 years. But the work it started will continue across the country.”
Since 2012, our CEO Rachel Rowney has seen how Big Local supported 150 communities to lead change on their own terms. Here, she reflects on its achievements & legacy: https://bit.ly/4tgCvUq
Celebrating Big Local – the movement communities made 🎉
For 15 years, 150 communities across England led change in their areas. As the programme closes, we’re celebrating the people, stories, and legacy of what’s possible with time, trust, and resources.
Explore it all here: https://bit.ly/4m4GqS2
The image features an individual on the right with shoulder-length hair, standing outdoors in an urban setting. On the left, there is a green panel with text that reads "Social Prescribing Day: strengthening health through community," along with a mention of Ruby Frankland, strategic partnerships manager at Local Trust. Logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and The National Lottery Community Fund are visible.
Social Prescribing Day might not be the most celebrated event of the year, but it matters.
Our strategic partnerships manager Ruby Frankland highlights how social prescribing supports our strained health service, & why community-led organisations are best placed to deliver it: https://bit.ly/4rUIRYw
Slide with “Local Trust | Big Local” logos and the heading “How Big Local responded to the cost-of-living crisis,” alongside a photo of a woman stacking green plastic crates on shelves; a button reads “www.learningfrombiglocal.co.uk,” and the National Lottery Community Fund logo appears.
In October 2022, UK inflation reached a 40-year high. While it has since fallen, the cost of living remains far above 2021 levels.
As the crisis continues, Big Local areas show what communities need to respond well. See how they responded to the cost-of-living crisis here: https://bit.ly/4rOTYlO
This image features a graphic for an article titled "Preparing for Crisis: How to Build Community Capacity" by researchers Lisa-Marie Giquel and Ruby Brooks from Local Trust. The background shows two individuals outdoors in separate photos. Logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and the National Lottery Community Fund are present.
Over the past 15 years, Big Local areas have faced multiple crises - so what helped them respond effectively?
Our researchers Lisa-Marie and Ruby explore how building community capacity made a difference, and share three lessons community groups can learn from Big Local: https://bit.ly/4tncQcX
A light blue graphic features logos for Local Trust and Big Local at the top left. A speech bubble contains the text: "Ultimately, they're going to be the ones that carry the baton forward. It’s alright us sat in a group thinking we know what the young people want. But do we?" Attributed to a partnership member of Thurcroft Big Local. A National Lottery Community Fund logo is in the bottom right corner.
A blue background features a quote in a speech bubble: "This is the only time an adult has asked what we wanted and done it." - Resident, Stoke North Big Local. The top displays logos for "Local Trust" and "Big Local," and the bottom right shows the National Lottery Community Fund logo.
Graphic featuring the logos of Local Trust and Big Local. A quote reads: "You can’t underestimate how impactful it has been to have a gifted youth leader who is utterly embedded in the community and with so much credibility.” It's attributed to a partnership member of Brereton Big Local. The National Lottery Community Fund logo is present.
Almost half of young people in England feel their voice doesn’t matter in national decisions.
Big Local partnerships set out to showcase the positive role young people can play when they are trusted, supported & involved.
Read how they involved young people in decision-making: https://bit.ly/3PqduY9
Graphic for a Local Trust and Big Local article titled 'Youth matters: what Big Local taught us about supporting young people', featuring headshots of co-authors Laura Fisher- senior researcher and Cameron Pannell-Rae - senior public affairs and communications officer.
What do children and young people need to thrive?
In this blog, Local Trust staff members, Laura Fisher and Cameron Pannell-Rae, share how resident-led action in Big Local areas helped young people feel connected, supported and involved in shaping their local area: localtrust.org.uk/news-and-sto...
Yellow poster with "SEE WHAT'S POSSIBLE" at the top. Below is a logo with "Museum of Community Futures." Beneath, it reads "Factory International, Manchester, 12–14 & 19–21 March." "Live Well spring festival 9-23 March 2026" is at the bottom left. At the bottom right, there's a pink box with "WE'RE RIGHT HERE." A pink flower decorates the poster.
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
Presented by @right-here.org & @greatermcr.bsky.social
🔗 https://bit.ly/4uyKSw2
A light blue graphic featuring the logos of Local Trust and Big Local. The text reads, "How to support children and young people in your community," with a button labeled "Insights from Big Local." The Community Fund logo is in the bottom right corner.
When youth services disappear, what fills the gap?
Big Local began during a period of austerity. In many places, opportunities for young people were shrinking.
So Big Local areas stepped in. Learn how they invested in young people – and in the future of their communities: https://bit.ly/3N5KODj
This image features a map highlighting Stoke North with a blue shaded area. Text on the image reads: "Working collaboratively in Stoke North. Learn how the Big Local partnership connected organizations and transformed their community." Logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and the National Lottery Community Fund are included. There is also a website link: www.learningfrombiglocal.co.uk.
Three estates. Three identities. One shared goal.
Stoke North Big Local brought together three distinct estates, ensuring each was represented. Working together, residents built trust, secured £1m in funding, & delivered projects for their community.
Learn how they did this: https://bit.ly/4uK8U7B
Light blue background with text "Five ways to build strong relationships between resident-led groups and local government." Includes a logo for Local Trust and mentions "Insights from Big Local" with an arrow. The National Lottery Community Fund logo is featured at the bottom.
Five ways resident-led groups and local government can work well together 🤝
In Big Local areas where partnerships and councils worked well together, the impact was significant - unlocking resources, influencing decisions, and delivering larger projects.
Read how they did it: https://bit.ly/3NkydMv
What is unitarisation, and how does it affect local democracy?
The English Devolution Bill proposes replacing two-tier county–district systems with new unitary councils.
@ipprnorth.bsky.social’s report, ‘Making the most of it’, explores the democratic implications of this: https://bit.ly/4lk6wQz
'Below the radar' organisations are often volunteer-led and unregistered, yet they provide vital support in their communities.
We’re pleased to support @360giving.org's report 'Below the Radar 2' that highlights the impact of these organisations, & explores the funding that sustains them.
Why are equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles essential to effective collaboration?
In this blog, our senior programme coordinator Natasha Almond shares examples from Big Local areas that highlight how inclusive collaboration contributed to the programme’s success: https://bit.ly/40Eu6hv
After 2,500 suggestions from residents, one issue stood out: poor-quality private renting & bad landlords. So the partnership asked a bold question: what if they became the landlord the community needed?
This is how Leigh Neighbours Big Local became an ethical lettings agency: bit.ly/3Pgycto
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Community engagement that reshaped housing plans 🏠
When Leigh Neighbours Big Local set out to understand residents’ concerns, they wanted to hear from every part of the community. They invited residents to write their ideas and suggestions directly onto a 3D model of the area.
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The image shows a person gesturing with their hands in an indoor setting. A green text box on the left displays "Local Trust trusting local people" and details about expressions of interest for managing a new Liverpool community health learning project. The deadline is Monday 23 March 2026, 12:00 pm (UK time). The Community Fund logo appears at the bottom.
💡Help shape the future of health and wellbeing in Liverpool
We’re seeking an organisation or collective to manage and deliver grant funding for Liverpool Beacons, an ambitious project focusing on community-led approaches to tackling health & wellbeing inequalities.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/409Edug
A group of three people stands together, smiling and conversing. One person holds a booklet. The logos of Local Trust, Big Local, and the Community Fund are visible. The image includes the text "How to meaningfully engage your community" and a website URL www.learningfrombiglocal.org.uk.
How do we build & sustain meaningful community engagement?
Big Local put power in residents’ hands, making community engagement central to decision-making. It wasn’t always easy, but areas found practical ways to make it work. Learn how on the Learning from Big Local website: https://bit.ly/3OGC4Ux
