As the Big Local programme ends, its lessons are shaping the future of other funding programmes. From building trust over time to tackling participation barriers and managing conflict, this blog explores what worked, what didn’t, and how funders can design fairer, more effective programmes that put communities in control.
What does it take to change a neighbourhood for the better? After 15 years and 150 communities, we find that it requires getting three things right: the people, the place, and the process. Our Deputy CEO Jon Fox unpacks the recipe behind Big Local, and what made it truly transformational.
National economic growth doesn’t always reach the neighbourhoods that need it most. Senior quantitative researcher Jack Loughnane explores how Big Local communities took matters into their own hands — building local enterprises, reviving vacant spaces, and making the economy work for the people who live there.
This event is your opportunity to find out more about the Pride in Place programme from MHCLG, connect with…
As the Big Local programme draws to a close, the legacy of place-based pride it has built across 150 communities will continue. Whether through annual street festivals, murals celebrating local heritage, or young people co-producing films about their lived experiences, residents have shown time and again that pride in place grows when communities are trusted to lead.
After the birth of her daughter, Clare Standish was searching for flexible work which led her to Our Sale West Big Local. She reflects on a decade of change in Sale West, from a neglected park and empty youth centre to a thriving community hub recognised across Greater Manchester as a model of good practice.
This report summarises insights from the policy sprint which explores how neighbourhood health can reshape public services by shifting power to communities.
Communities across England will continue to benefit from the Big Local programme for years to come, as more than…
On Social Prescribing Day, it’s time to spotlight an often overlooked approach to health. By connecting people to community support, social prescribing tackles the root causes of poor wellbeing—helping people live healthier lives while easing pressure on frontline services.
