📍In Podsmead, Gloucester,The Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society shows what community-led health looks like in practice. Their work fills gaps that statutory services can't always meet, including a community pharmacy and a community and sports hub to improve local health and wellbeing.

Local Trust@localtrust.org.uk · 3w ago

In Ewanrigg, residents have faced difficulties accessing services outside the local area. For them, The Centre has become a vital hub for health support, shared meals and social connection. Watch their story in the first video from our series on the power of hyperlocal action 👇 🔗 bit.ly/4bMmmQb 2/2

In Brereton Village, Staffordshire, Vysions is a community group that helps bridge the gap between residents and local health services through activities like providing transport to medical appointments, running craft sessions, youth groups and holiday activities. [1/2]

We're working with six former Big Local areas, in partnership with the @nhsconfed.org and @innovationunit.bsky.social, to test community-led approaches to health and help communities build stronger partnerships with statutory health services, including the NHS. One of these areas is Ewanrigg. 1/2

What happens when communities lead on neighbourhood health improvement?

Watch case study videos from community organisations in three neighbourhoods across England who are leading on health improvement in their area.

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Take what we’ve learned. Build what comes next. For 15 years, Big Local showed what’s possible when communities are trusted with time, resources and decision-making power. As Big Local ends and Local Trust prepares to close in 2027, the opportunity is to carry those lessons forward. [1/2]

How can politicians support resident-led initiatives? With renewed interest in hyperlocal policy, there’s an opportunity to rethink how power is shared with communities. Our blog explores practical ways elected representatives, both local & national, can support community-led change: bit.ly/4a71na7

We're pleased to support @bettertransport.bsky.social in celebrating #BetterTransportWeek again this year! This year’s focus on connecting people and places echoes what we've learned through Big Local: better transport helps communities thrive. Learn more and get involved 👇

Campaign for Better Transport@bettertransport.bsky.social · 2mo ago

It's here #BetterTransportWeek 2026 🎉 Get involved at bettertransportweek.org.uk

How can we build genuine relationships between universities and their communities? In ‘Progress happens at the speed of trust’, researchers Al Mathers and Bryony Vince-Myers speak with four university-community partnerships working to build long-term, locally rooted collaboration: bit.ly/4x8dhuk

What changes when a trust is designed to end? In ‘A matter of time’, developed with Shared Intelligence, we explore how Local Trust’s time-limited model shaped the delivery of Big Local, including the risks, rewards and lessons for funders. Read more: https://bit.ly/3S2ZpkE

In 2019, we commissioned OCSI to develop the Community Needs Index (CNI) for England - a measure of social infrastructure, social capital, community participation and social connectedness. Since then, it’s helped researchers, analysts and policymakers better understand community needs. [1/2]

When we talk about our planned organisational closure, it can take time to explain why a programme coming to an end is a sign of its success. Our report with Shared Intelligence highlights how a time-limited approach can be more effective in supporting long-term change: https://bit.ly/4w9ZiU2

The English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill has passed into law. It introduces the Community Right to Buy a - huge win, but funding is needed to ensure its take-up. Additionally, the Bill doesn't strengthen communities' powers over public services or investment decisions. Act now 👇

We're Right Here@right-here.org · 3mo ago

Sign our open letter urging the Minister @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social to meet with community leaders and embed community power principles in the government’s neighbourhood governance regulations: actionnetwork.org/petitions/si... Read our full analysis: www.right-here.org/a-pivotal-mo... ✍️6/6 🧵

In the April edition of the Local Trust newsletter: 🗞️ Big Local has ended - what did it achieve? 💡 What we’ve learned about neighbourhood funding 🤝 Stories of leadership and change from Manchester and Lincolnshire 🌐 Data sharing with UK Data Service Read it now: https://bit.ly/4tISxqO

Big local has ended- what's next for communities?

Big Local ends: what 15 years of community-led change achieved After 15 years, the Big Local programme has officially come to a close, marking a major milestone for community-led change across England...

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With the government’s renewed focus on neighbourhoods, the learning from Big Local is increasingly relevant. In our final year, we’re working with funders & membership organisations to share what we’ve learned. Our head of programmes Meg Falck reflects on the key insights: https://bit.ly/48ountc

Through Big Local, £150m was invested in 150 communities across England to support locally-led priorities. Did it deliver? The short answer: yes. Even the most cautious estimate shows benefits exceeded costs by £64m - with potential benefits up to £150m. Read more: https://bit.ly/4e7RwUf

“[Big Local] put community at the centre of the programme and its legacy - as a starting point, a guiding principle, and an outcome.” In this blog, our deputy CEO Jon Fox shares insights from Big Local areas to share the recipe for lasting community-led change – read it here: https://bit.ly/4vIvPjW

On #WorldEarthDay, listen to this episode of our Community Pride Podcast episode where host Kayla Jones explores how green spaces help build pride in place. Featuring Nina from Brinnington Big Local, plus insights on how these spaces support communities across England: https://bit.ly/4crV2Yk

Big Local areas were some of the most disadvantaged in England. Their economic context was shaped by factors such as government austerity, the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. But what stands out is how residents responded - read more here: https://bit.ly/4e0pCcK

What does it take to build an economy that works for communities? In our latest blog, our senior researcher Jack Loughnane shares what Big Local teaches us about building stronger local economies through examples of areas that have found creative ways to strengthen theirs: https://bit.ly/4tQQnF8

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👇

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 👇

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 👇

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

“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