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Key projects

We believe there is a need to put more power, resources and decision-making into the hands of local communities to enable them to transform and improve their lives and the places they live.

Big Local

Find out what happens when 150 communities are given at least £1m with no strings attached

Communities and coronavirus

Discover research and stories about the neighbourhood-level response to the pandemic

‘Left behind’ neighbourhoods

We define 'left behind' areas as places that rank highly on the indices of multiple deprivation and lack social infrastructure

Local thinking

Local Trust is leading new approaches to community-led change

A timeline of community development

1940-2020: 300 events that have shaped communities
essay
A history of community development

Linking the stories that connect community organisers across the world, from 1940-2020
Organising and deciding Power and leadership
blog
May 2021
Government fund offers crucial opportunity for communities

Everything you need to know about the Community Ownership Fund
Local economies Spaces and services
blog
June 2021
How I addressed loneliness in my community

How Barnfield resident, Susan, has supported her neighbours with loneliness and isolation
Skills Spaces and services
research
Towards resilience: Making community matter in social care

How can communities help build a better care system?
Health and wellbeing Spaces and services

Long reads

Discover our essay series exploring how people and places are changing through Big Local, and the potential of community-led change

| Big Local
A history of community development

Linking the stories that connect community organisers across the world, from 1940-2020

David Boyle
| Big Local
Community responses in times of crisis

Glimpses into the past, present and future

Steve Wyler
| Big Local
The courage to succeed

Taking action to make a change

Louise Tickle
| Big Local
Counterweight

How Big Local areas are levelling the scales of local power

David Boyle
| Big Local
A level playing field

How sport can unite and transform communities

Ryan Herman
| Big Local
Beyond age

Why communities are investing in young people’s futures

Antony Mason

| Big Local
Creating the future

Art, communities and change

Maddy Costa
| Big Local
Building wealth

How communities are reshaping the economy from the bottom up

Hazel Sheffield
| Big Local
Designs on the past

What can history do for hard-pressed communities?

Carey Newson
| Big Local
Skittled out?

The collapse and revival of England’s social infrastructure

Dan Gregory
| Big Local
Community Spirits

The changing role of faith in place

Stephen Bates
| Big Local
New seeds beneath the snow?

Big Local neighbourhoods in action

Julian Dobson

Explore by theme

Browse our content through certain key topics

Community spirit
Coronavirus
Culture and creativity
Environment
Health and wellbeing
Housing
Local economies
Organising and deciding
Power and leadership
Skills
Spaces and services

Hear from the communities

I’ve always been a volunteer, but I’ve learned through being involved with Big Local that change really is possible. But to make that change happen, having a voice is important
Sarah Rook
DY10 Big Local
What I’m clear about is that a good community development officer works themselves out of a job. You’re not supposed to be there forever – you’re there to build the community to do it for themselves
Val Fendley
Ramsey Million Big Local
We live in really challenging times economically, socially, politically, and so I credit anyone who gives up their time
George Hill
Kingswood and Hazel Leys
Voices of Big Local

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