Greenwich is drawing on learning from its Community and Micro-enterprise programme to drive the shift to neighbourhood health and community support in partnership with the VCSE sector

Part of a panel talking VCSE commissioning at @vodgmembership.bsky.social CEO’s conference, with Julie Bass of @turningpoint-uk.bsky.social, Ru Anwar of Trowers & Hamlin, & education pioneer & NHS board member Kevin Davis DL. In the VCSE sector we need to lead the commissioning change we seek.

Our Catalyst, Joseph Espindola, helped Antony, who is autistic, to realise his vision of creating an inclusive travel business using his experience to help people with learning disabilities to travel confidently and independently. Together, they developed AJ’s Travel.

My colleague Helen Allen asks, How do we bring more creative, caring people into the support provider market in a way that feels safe to individuals, families and professionals? www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/2026/05/26/e...

A local charity leader told me frankly that he'd been sceptical of the council bringing Community Catalysts into his area. Two years on, he'd changed his mind...

The heavy lifting

At a recent visit to one of our Community Micro-Enterprise projects in the North West, Gary Cliffe, who leads Cheshire West Voluntary Action told me frankly that he'd been sceptical of the council bringing Community Catalysts into the area to develop new enterprises, because he couldn’t see what we’d be able to do to increase choices for Direct Payment holders that local VCFSE organisations and infrastructure bodies couldn’t do themselves.

alexfoxblog.wordpress.com

Visiting a NW Community Micro-Enterprise project a local charity leader told me frankly that he'd been sceptical of the council bringing Community Catalysts into the area. 2 years in, he'd changed his mind.... areahttps://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7462419304924266496/

Gary Cliffe on Community Catalysts' impact in Cheshire West | Alex Fox OBE posted on the topic | LinkedIn

At a recent visit to one of our Community Micro-Enterprise projects in the North West, Gary Cliffe, who leads Cheshire West Voluntary Action told me frankly that he'd been sceptical of the council bri...

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We enjoyed virtual community capacity building with thoughtful & creative DHSC civil servants yesterday- one quote about the value of our Thinking Outside the Box session: “We can’t see community from Whitehall!” The DHSC team came up with great ideas for how to scale up asset-based prevention.

In my new role leading Community Catalysts, I've been reflecting on what makes the Local Area Coordination approach unique.

What makes Local Area Coordination unique?

There is some great community development work out there which gets alongside people as they start and build new community activities and resources. There is also some great strengths-based coaching and support programmes, and some great strategic transformation projects aiming to embed prevention and neighbourhood working. Perhaps what makes Local Area Coordination (LAC) unique is that it attempts to bring those three things together.

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What makes Local Area Coordination unique? It's a combination of the very big and the very small... www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/2026/05/11/l...

Local Area Coordination: addressing the very big and the very small | Community Catalysts

Reflecting on Local Area Coordination Week, Alex Fox, CEO at Community Catalysts, speaks about what makes the approach different and unique from other community based initiatives.

communitycatalysts.co.uk

Great to meet Local Area Coordinators across London and the South East today, talking strategy to grow and strengthen the national network, staying true to its principles which are needed now more than ever

Always brilliant to hear @beccadove2.bsky.social - pioneer of relational practice & Family Group Conferencing (We are building on that children/ families work with FGC for adults: www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/2023/07/11/a...) Tackling strategic and practice change together are key to Camden success

The launch of Policy Priorities to Support Relational services kicks off with Andrew Laird of @mutualventures.bsky.social Prof Hannah Hesselgreaves of @mmuperu.bsky.social sets out what really creates value in public services: the relationship between people within them, not the service alone

It's Local Area Coordination week. This year we are celebrating what is unique about the approach in how it transforms people's lives. Over the week we'll share content from the different areas making up the Local Area Coordination Network #LACWeek2026

Timely thoughts on practical approaches to community cohesion from my colleague Tom Richards drawing on the learning from areas with Local Area Coordination embedded into their communities.

Alex Fox@alexfoxshared.bsky.social · 3mo ago

www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-ri...

Congratulations & a warm welcome to Phil Holmes on his appointment as the new President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. We look forward to working together to build on our great work that supports healthier, safer communities.🏡 bit.ly/4w2B6TH

ADASS's new President Phil Holmes inaugural speech - ADASS

Phil Holmes' powerful first speech as ADASS President at the ADASS Spring Seminar 2026.

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www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-ri...

#communitycohesion #localareacoordination #prevention #communitydevelopment #belonging | Tom Richards

How do we build community cohesion — especially at a time when inequality, mistrust, segregation, and the loss of shared spaces are pulling communities apart?   That’s the question a group of Local Ar...

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Local Area Coordination Week will be held from 4-8 May! This year we are celebrating what is unique about the approach in how it transforms people's lives. Over the week we'll share content from the different areas making up the Local Area Coordination Network #LACWeek2026

Enjoying listening to Camden colleagues describing adult family group conferencing: adults with all kinds of challenges are supported by a network blending informal and professional supporters, building on Maui practices from New Zealand. We support the national network

In the first of a 'See the possibilities' series of blogs, @alexfoxshared.bsky.social CEO at Community Catalysts, calls for us to be more ambitious about how we plan for and use Direct Payments, to improve people’s lives and save money www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/2026/04/16/a...

When social workers are aware of the community micro-enterprises in their local area that can offer personalised, flexible care, the impact can be enormous. Emily was introduced to the Community Micro-enterprise Development Programme in Cheshire that changed Pat's life 👉 https://loom.ly/TPabrUw

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Social Investment Impact Report shows that the Community Micro-enterprise Development Programme made a £3.15 saving for every £1 spent. We’re delighted to see the social value of the project highlighted in the report. Read more https://loom.ly/wkb9NFs

"Leadership isn’t about job titles, seniority or experience. It’s about how we choose to show up for ourselves, for others, and for the communities we serve." Dalanya Morris from Sutton Primary Care Network shares her learning from our New Social Leaders programme https://loom.ly/arRpBGY

Our partnership with Oxfordshire County Council has resulted in a new two-year contract extension that will focus on West Oxfordshire, where there is an increased demand for community‑based support, particularly among older residents in rural areas. Read the news release https://loom.ly/Lt7VkBI

The shift from transactional to relational support systems via @socialcarefuture.bsky.social

in Bolton @mroutled.bsky.social gets the Greater Manchester Going for the Win Win session kicked off. We are supporting the community of practice with strengths based prevention and asset-based commissioning to reshape provider markets: boosting small local enterprises.

Harrogate, where Community Catalysts has our base, looking lovely in the cold late winter sun. Great to spend the day with two @commcats.bsky.social chief execs: Pip Cannons and founder Sian Lockwood for handover and reflection

How do we ensure the vision for neighbourhood health becomes a reality, not just a slogan? On the back of our recent Neighbourhoods for Living Well event, @alexfoxshared.bsky.social talks about the practical ways we can put the vision into action www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/2026/03/25/n...

Our Neighbourhoods for Living Well event brought people together to hear about innovative solutions available to help build strong neighbourhoods where people can live a good life. @alexfoxshared.bsky.social shared his take on the event and what's possible to support good neighbourhoods and lives.

The future is already happening www.linkedin.com/posts/commun...

#neighbourhoodhealth #communitymicroenterprise #localareacoordination | Community Catalysts CIC

The Neighbourhoods for Living Well event with the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing brought people together to hear about innovative solutions available to help build strong neighbourhoods wher...

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Read Lenka's story and the impact her micro-enterprise is having on people in the area of Suffolk www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/stories/from...

From vision to reality: establishing a community micro-enterprise | Community Catalysts

The story of one woman's journey to setting up a Suffolk community micro-enterprise that makes a big difference to people in the local community.

communitycatalysts.co.uk

Alex Fox@alexfoxshared.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Helen Allen describes @commcats.bsky.social work with Suffolk Council where Lenka set up a micro enterprise to support local people live well with support needs. Lenka is one of 180 agencies in Suffolk which support 1200 people with safe personalised support costing £8 per hour less than agencies