• News and stories

    News and stories

    The latest news and stories from Big Local areas and beyond, exploring community power and resident-led change.

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    News

    The latest news and announcements from Local Trust and the Big Local programme.

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    Podcasts

    Conversations exploring the most important issues affecting communities today.

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    Blogs

    Ideas and insights about Big Local and the impact of community-led change.

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    Voices of Big Local

    Inspiring stories from the people making change happen in their communities.

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The Big Local programme

Local Trust was established in 2012 to deliver Big Local. The programme provided £1m each to 150 communities across England, to create lasting change in their neighbourhoods.

About Big Local

In scale, time horizon and ethos nothing like Big Local has ever existed. Find out what makes the programme different by design.

Policy

Through our policy and advocacy, we’re working to transform the way policy makers and funders engage with communities.

Insights

Explore our in-house and independent research on Big Local and more than a decade of community-led change.

The latest from Local Trust

The latest on community-led change and securing a better future for England’s doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

blog
June 2025
Why improving local transport is more crucial than ever

Marking Better Transport Week, Local Trust CEO, Rachel Rowney, shares why improving...
Spaces and services
research
Health starts in the neighbourhood

This report shares a new vision for healthcare that prioritises prevention, community...
Health and wellbeing
News
A bright yellow Bee Network double-decker bus parked on a wet city street in Manchester, branded with 'Funded by UK Government' and 'Transport for Greater Manchester'.
Community spirit
Greater Manchester driving change through the power of community

‘Driving Change: The BIG GM Live Well Bus Tour’ hosts Mayor Andy...
Voices of Big Local
June 2025
A sustainable community hub from an old police station

In Kent, Lynd Taylor, the chair of Big Local Eastern Sheppey (BLES),...
Spaces and services

Explore more

Find Big Local areas across England and hear from the individuals leading change in their communities.

Big Local areas

Find areas involved in Big Local and the arts-based programme Creative Civic Change.

Voices of Big Local

Discover insights and learning from the individuals delivering change in their communities.

Community power podcast

Join us as we discuss what happens when people have the money, power and assets to transform their areas.

Northwood Together has made a big difference, particularly with food poverty. It’s given so much back to the community."
Vicky Williamson
Northwood Together Big Local
Read Vicky's story
Big Local has made surprise leaders out of people like me … [It] has encouraged people to look beyond themselves to their community."
Yvonne Griggs
Birchwood Big Local
Read Yvonne's story
We’re providing people with the resources they need to take their own ideas forward and be changemakers themselves.”
James Masters
Grange Big Local
Read James's story
It’s been wonderful to see how initial investment from Big Local can help projects bloom in all kinds of directions."
Amanda Caldwell
Rastrick Big Local
Read Amanda's story