After 15 years of #BigLocal, @localtrust.org.uk has built deep insight into what works in unlocking community power and neighbourhood-level change.
In a new blog, they set out how new neighbourhood governance arrangements could draw on those lessons.
www.right-here.org/what-big-loc...
We are Local, Big Local We play football at Cruyff and basketball too And games of pool after school Chilling with my friends playing pranks and fortnite until the day ends We ride our bikes through Bushy park And be home before it gets dark Dinnertime is the highlight of my day We have fried chicken, spicy biryani, banana and rice and everything nice Margarita with bbq base, please put it all on my plate But my favourite is what my mum makes We are a fun, colourful and beautiful community Of English, Somali, Caribbean and Pakistani.... British Asian, Arabs and Africans All living in harmony We are St Matthews
Timeline Cleanse
On Monday night I went to the #StMatthewsBigLocal AGM. A genuinely inspiring evening amongst a wonderfully diverse group of people committed to their neighbourhood. My work here is done #BigLocal, but of course the people go on. Then a young man read a co-created #poem
BIG LOCAL—what a vibe!
Buckinghamshire Freemasons Welcome 60 New Members in Historic Multi-Centre Initiation Event.
One event. Sixty initiations. One united brotherhood.
Interested in joining? Follow this link: https://buckspgl.org/join?ref=biglocal
#bucksmasons #biglocal
Andy Burnham holding a microphone is seated on a bus, speaking to two women sitting behind him. The setting appears to be the upper deck of a modern double-decker bus, with large windows showing a view of a brick building and some greenery outside.
Five people are standing indoors, smiling at the camera in a casual group photo. The setting appears to be a community or recreational centre, as suggested by the colourful mural behind them, which features illustrations of boxers and other vibrant artwork. One man in the centre is wearing a suit, while the others are dressed in smart-casual attire with lanyard.
A bright yellow double-decker bus, featuring the "Bee Network" logo is parked at a bus stop on a city street. Behind the bus, classic brick buildings with ornate architecture line the street, while another yellow bus is visible in the distance. A white van is partially visible to the left, and a "Bus Stop" sign stands tall near the front of the bus.
And that’s a wrap on the Big GM Live Well Bus Tour in Manchester🎉
Here’s a sneak peek from today’s exciting event featuring @andyburnham.bsky.social, our CEO Rachel Rowney, and other attendees. Stay tuned for more tomorrow➡️
@locality.org.uk @right-here.org
#BigLocal #GMLiveWell #We’reRightHere
Great to see #BigLocal examples in the strategy:
📍Ambition Lawrence Weston used their Big Local funding to unlock £5.5m in external investment for a community-owned net-zero energy project.
📍Grange Big Local funded a martial arts gym & self-defence classes to support youth at risk of violence.
[2/2]
A diverse group of people participate in a community event outdoors. At the front, individuals in bright costumes, including a person in a bee mascot suit, walk alongside others in red jackets and high-visibility vests. Behind them, more participants wear creative outfits, such as a person in a shiny mermaid-style costume. The background features green grass and a festive, inclusive atmosphere. Overlaid text shows the Local Trust logo, and the text "How to organise a successful community event: A Community Action Plan."
🚨 Download your free copy of our brand-new community action plan, all about running successful events in your community:https://bit.ly/4dkFowx
Taking you from planning to evaluation, our guide will help you every step of the way with crucial resources and helpful advice from #BigLocal areas.
Lisa Cover (right), Community Development Manager, and partnership member Vicky Williamson (centre), help the Easter bunny give out chocolate eggs to children at an Easter event at Northwood Together Big Local. Photo: Local Trust/Matt Thomas
📍 Before volunteering with Northwood Together Big Local, Vicky Williamson’s mental health had been impacted by three bereavements.
In this story, she shares how joining the #BigLocal partnership helped improve her wellbeing & built her confidence to get back into the workforce: bit.ly/3YCgFhr [2/4]
A bright green and purple graphic promoting Mental Health Awareness Week. The headline text reads: "From a knitting stitch to a football pitch..." followed by smaller text: "dog walks to weekly talks, cricket bats to casual chats, from a team score to opening new doors." Below is a message: "Let’s celebrate our communities this Mental Health Awareness Week." On the bottom left, there is a purple logo with the words "Mental Health Foundation" and "Mental Health Awareness Week." On the right, a football pitch illustration is being stitched with black yarn, connecting the themes of knitting and sports.
The theme of this year’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek is ‘community’.
We’re pleased to highlight just some of the inspiring stories from #BigLocal areas that demonstrate the powerful link between community and mental health. ⬇
🧵[1/4]
Many #BigLocal areas have created community centres to support sustainable community activity well into the future. Newington Big Local, for example, revamped their community centre into a vibrant hub for arts, youth programmes, food initiatives, and social events: buff.ly/ybf3qEK [2/3]
A promotional graphic for the Big Local survey by Local Trust. The green background features the headline "The Big Local survey" with a subheading: "What it tells us about connection, identifying local needs, and building a legacy." A quote from a partnership survey participant is displayed in a speech bubble: “People have come together and care about each other, help each other out. That is community.” Logos of Local Trust, Big Local, and the Community Fund are also included.
A green graphic featuring the Local Trust and Big Local logos, along with the Community Fund logo. Text on the left reads: "In 2024, Big Local partnership members' confidence in their ability to deliver on their legacy increased to 82 per cent." On the right, there is a black and white circular progress chart showing 82% in the centre.
A green infographic featuring the Local Trust and Big Local logos at the top, and the Community Fund logo at the bottom right. Text on the left reads: "In 2024, 92 per cent of respondents agreed that they had the necessary support and resources to achieve their legacy." On the right is a black and white circular progress chart displaying "92%" in the centre.
In the last 12 months of the #BigLocal programme, we’re reflecting on Big Local volunteer experiences through our partnership members survey.
Read this blog by senior researcher Jack Loughnane discussing how people's feelings about their experience have evolved during the programme: buff.ly/JwuHSmz
💚“We believe that when communities lead, better health follows.” - Ruby Frankland, strategic partnerships manager
Based on learnings from #BigLocal, we are launching a programme of action research with @nhsconfed.org to build more community-led approaches to health. [1/2]
📍 Featuring examples of #BigLocal areas such as Lawrence Weston in North Bristol and Greenmoor Big Local in Bradford, the blog highlights that for communities to thrive in a climate-changing world, they must be given greater control over the transition and the benefits that arise from it. [2/3]
📍“It’s a place where they welcome strangers, they welcome people. It’s a lovely community.”
Beechwood, Ballantyne and Bidston village recently unveiled a new playpark and brought their community together for a family fun day in the sunshine– their #BigLocal legacy sparkled!
🔗 buff.ly/Bziv9QT [3/3]
A massive, detailed, illuminated model of the Moon is suspended in the centre of a grand, arched cathedral interior. The realistic lunar surface features craters and texture, glowing with a soft blue light that contrasts with the warm tones of the stone columns and wooden ceiling beams. The architectural setting includes gothic arches, stained glass windows, and an ornate altar at the far end.
A group of people, including children and adults, are gathered under a vibrant canopy of colourful lights at night. They are holding large, star-shaped decorations and illuminated props, contributing to a festive atmosphere. The background is filled with cascading strings of multicolored LED lights, creating a magical, starry effect. Some individuals are dressed in creative costumes, including headpieces and patterned attire.
🎨This #WorldArtDay we're spotlighting Fratton Big Local – just one of many #BigLocal areas that has used art to transform their community.
They, and now their legacy org Fratton Together, have delivered stunning art installations in Portsmouth, drawing numerous visitors & sparking local pride.[1/2]
Cover image of the community action plan for fundraising. The image features four women engaged in a discussion and hands-on activity at a table. The background contains bold text reading, "Find and access funding: A Community Action Plan". Logos for "Local Trust" and "Stir to Action" are also present.
For tips on finding and applying to funding opportunities, download our free community action plan. Created with Stir to Action, it includes advice on writing strong bids and examples of #BigLocal areas that successfully secured funding for lasting impact: buff.ly/E0ipFWb [2/2]
A greenhouse interior with rows of potted plants, including tomatoes and leafy greens, arranged on either side of a tiled walkway. Union Jack bunting hangs from the metal frame overhead. On the right, bunches of onions are hanging to dry. The greenhouse structure is made of transparent plastic and metal supports, with a view of a green garden through the open far end.
A group of ten people standing in front of a green sign that reads 'Par Bay Community Garden'. They are smiling and standing between raised flower beds filled with vibrant orange and white flowers. The group appears to be a mix of ages and genders, standing under a wooden shelter with trees in the background, suggesting a cheerful community gathering.
A group of people sitting in a garden area on plastic chairs, chatting and enjoying the sunny weather. They are gathered near a light green garden shed decorated with bunting. The area is surrounded by raised beds, potted plants, and flower displays. Behind the shed and garden plots are trees and another building, suggesting a community garden or allotment setting.
A group of five adults gardening together in a community allotment. They are tending to plants, placing bamboo canes for support, and pulling weeds from the soil. The plot is surrounded by lush greenery and various gardening tools and supplies. Residential houses with tiled roofs are visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
Today, we’re celebrating just some of the community gardens that have come to life during the #BigLocal programme.🌸
📍 Images from community gardens in Clarksfield, Greenacres and Littlemoor, Par Bay, Clubmoor, Sale West, and St Oswald and Netherton. [1/2]
Sport enhances community health and morale & plays a key role in #SocialPrescribing by promoting preventative healthcare.⚽
Kick-start your community football team with our guide which includes expert tips from #BigLocal areas & key resources from national sports organisations: buff.ly/pNBkO74 [1/2]
Explore this map by @nhsconfed.org that shows communities across England - including #BigLocal areas – that are taking a community-led approach to improving health and wellbeing: buff.ly/FUrXjB1 [3/4]
This #WorldHealthDay, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the #BigLocal initiatives that demonstrate the impact of community-led healthcare. [1/4]
In our latest blog, Local Trust’s CEO, @mattleach.bsky.social , outlines how, in an era of crisis and uncertainty, #BigLocal areas have been demonstrating community resilience and effective community first response. Read the blog: buff.ly/wxTSDoH [🧵2/3]
We heard about the amazing impact of the shop back in September last year, when we spoke to Elaine – the chair of Big Local Shadsworth with Whitebirk – as they became the 50th area to complete their #BigLocal journey: buff.ly/SJJNLMm
Promotional graphic for "The Community Power Podcast" featuring areas included in Series Three. The background is green with a map of England outlined in yellow, showing white location pins. The listed areas are: Ewanrigg, Villages Together, Winterton, Tonge with The Haulgh, Grange, Mossley, Arches, Dover, Heart of Sidley, and Welsh House Farm. Logos at the bottom represent "Local Trust," "Big Local," and the "Community Fund." The design includes a crowd illustration with raised hands.
Over the past year, we’ve shared inspiring stories of communities creating lasting change on the #CommunityPowerPodcast.
As we wrap up series three, listen back to hear from #BigLocal areas across the country: buff.ly/8jVHF5u [1/2]
🎙️ Out now: The final episode of the #CommunityPowerPodcast series three!
In this episode, our CEO @mattleach.bsky.social sits down with host @chris-wcr.bsky.social to look back on the unique #BigLocal stories that have defined the series. Listen now: buff.ly/Y9fAQFy
The session included insights and learning from #BigLocal areas Our Sale West and CommUNITY Little Hulton, and how they’re leveraging community assets to put neighbourhood working into practice, as well as Northwood Together's transformative Shape Shifters project: buff.ly/0OQ8bm4 [3/3]
Watch the recording of our webinar with NASP to hear from speakers including Local Trust’s COO, Rachel Rowney, as they explore community-led social prescribing and what we’ve learned from the #BigLocal programme: buff.ly/ivwNwn0 [2/2]
Today on #SocialPrescribingDay, we're exploring the range of social prescribing activities that have been delivered by #BigLocal areas, the importance of community leadership - and what's needed next to put communities at the heart of healthcare:
Based on our learning from the #BigLocal programme, we believe community leadership has a vital role to play in the social prescribing space – as our research manager, Lucy Terry, explores: buff.ly/QF4NAwM
A quote card from Amanda Caldwell, Chair of Rastrick Big Local, with a green background on the left side containing text and a photo of Amanda sitting outdoors on the right side. The text reads: "Through Rastrick Big Local, I’ve had my corners rubbed off and I see the world in a completely different way."
📍 As Rastrick Big Local in West Yorkshire reaches the end of its #BigLocal journey, we’re delighted to name its chair, Amanda Caldwell, as a #changemaker for this year. Read her story about building community connections in Rastrick and how collaboration has benefitted the area: buff.ly/Z3pDbMS
3ni supports local government by promoting community-led, place-based regeneration, drawing on lessons from programmes like #BigLocal.
Learn more about 3ni: buff.ly/a6VBAfv [2/2]
We’re also pleased to see learnings from #BigLocal in the report’s evidence base & recommendations, emphasising long-term, flexible funding direct to communities as key. We'd also call for a community-led approach to be among the tests to evaluate programme proposals. [3/3]
