“Community ownership is helping to protect essential services, create jobs and breathe new life into towns and villages.” In Orkney, three churches are now under community ownership and are being used as visitor centres and events spaces. Hoy Youth Club is hoping to make St Columba’s Church the fourth; it is seeking o…

theorkneynews.scot/2026/04/13/c...

What makes for a good building? 🏘️ 🏛️

We get asked this a lot by community leaders who:
🔸 need affordable space for their idea or project
🔸 want to make that space a long-term community asset
🔸 want to see multiple local buildings transformed for local benefit

So what should you be looking for? 💡

Stakeholders have their say on the project - read full report on a very well attended and lively event hosted by @dorchesterarts.bsky.social and the Town Council reconnection.org.uk/2026/01/13/s...

As the article puts it: “What the story boils down to is clear: a lesson in letting people on the ground get on with it, not vainly pulling rusty levers in Whitehall.”
This reflects what our research shows: rebuilding high streets - and trust in politics - starts with backing communities.

🧵 @nickplumb.bsky.social spoke to John about high street decline — and where hope lies. The article points to shifts in power that can unlock real change, like @nudgecommunity.bsky.social in Plymouth, and draws on our Shuttered Front research: www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

Tipping point for UK High Streets. We must reinvent.

@reconnection.org.uk your time has come.

Excellent piece from @johnharris1969.bsky.social @theguardian.com

We've a few spaces left if you live in or near #Dorchester and are interested in #LocalHistory and #Heritage, especially buildings!

We've a few spaces left if you live in or near #Dorchester and are interested in #LocalHistory and #Heritage, especially buildings!

What we learnt from talking to people about the circular economy

"Minds change when people see repair, reuse or sharing working in practice, try it themselves and feel the benefits."

Policy adviser @emily-carr.bsky.social recounts her three key lessons from our recent project spotlighting the people already involved in the circular economy ⤵️

We are currently searching for feasibility study funding, and need volunteers to do some basic historical research on several #Dorchester town centre premises. Find out more reconnection.org.uk/2025/12/04/a...

Very helpful session for @reconnection.org.uk on #comms and #promotion for any #heritage / community project, not just churches - although that's one option we are considering. Thanks 👍

We're making good progress - read more here! #update #reconnection reconnection.org.uk/2025/10/31/r...

Not much on BlueSky yet, but we're making progress in the background and having some great discussions. If you represent an organisation which would like to find out more and possibly be involved, follow us and send us a DM!

Returning power to the people: What community empowerment can do for the public and for politics - Power to Change At a time when the government faces enormous pressure to mount a response to the sense of discontent and decline that the public is feeling, giving communit ...

Welcome news! The government is investing “Pride in Place” funding in 330+ deprived communities. Our research published today shows why this matters.

Read the full report on why community power is essential to tackling discontent, restoring trust, and driving national renewal buff.ly/MIQNu9O

Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride Local communities will be handed new powers to revitalise their high streets and restore pride in their towns.

Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride

Local communities will be handed new powers to revitalise their high streets and restore pride in their towns.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

We’re up!