Communities across England will continue to benefit from the Big Local programme for years to come, as more than 120 locally led legacy organisations carry forward the work started through a pioneering resident-led change programme in England.
Although March 2026 marks the formal conclusion of the Big Local programme, the impact of the initiative will continue to grow in communities across England. Over the past decade and a half, thousands of residents, volunteers, local businesses and community groups have taken part in the programme.
150 communities were each given control of £1m in long-term funding to improve their areas. Big Local has supported local businesses, invested in young people, improved health and wellbeing and built lasting community hubs.
Over the past 15 years, Big Local residents have delivered an extraordinary range of initiatives shaped by local priorities. These include:
- Major community events — from marathons to festivals — that brought people together
- Investing in community infrastructure such as playgrounds, sports facilities and refurbishing old buildings as well as constructing new ones
- Supportive programmes helping residents into work, training or education
- Crisis response, quickly providing resources to residents during COVID-19 and helping with the rising cost of living
- Projects to improve green spaces, and a pioneering community-owned wind turbine and solar farm.
Now, more than a hundred legacy bodies established by dedicated local residents will continue delivering valued projects and services in their neighbourhoods.
My hope for the long term is that the trust will always be run by the community, for the community.”
Sonia Clyne, chair of Par Bay Big Local
Cornubia Commnunity Hub
This includes communities like Par Bay in Cornwall, where chair of Par Bay Big Local, Sonia Clyne is ensuring the work continues:
“Cornubia community centre is the cornerstone of our legacy. In 2015, the residents of Par Bay used some of the Big Local funding to purchase a condemned local auction house and turned it into a thriving community hub. It hosts a huge number of activities for all ages ranging from ballet to an art club.
“Crucially in the winter, we host a ‘warm hub’ – set up to help isolated residents have somewhere safe and warm to come together amid soaring energy prices. The hub has been a huge success, with over 2,000 hot meals provided in 12 months. Par Bay Big Local closed in 2023 and we set up a charity to continue our work. My hope for the long term is that the trust will always be run by the community, for the community.”
Improving lives in communities across England
Rachel Rowney, CEO of Local Trust, who has worked on the programme since 2012, said, “Big Local was a unique experiment. Placing funding and decision-making directly in the hands of communities, on this scale, had never been tried before. The results, as Par Bay shows are a testament to the idea that if you trust residents with power and resource, they will build better communities.
“Throughout England, thousands of residents have developed the confidence, skills and networks to improve their neighbourhoods. Crucially these skills won’t be lost and, through the over one hundred legacy bodies, will continue to make a difference to their communities long after the programme ends.”
Where next for community-led change?
The Big Local story provides a uniquely rich, long-term evidence base showing what happens when power, trust and resources sit directly with local residents. Much of this evidence and research can be found on Learning from Big Local, a unique website launched in January 2026 which captures 15 years of learning from the programme.
As national debates continue around the future of neighbourhood policy, devolution and place-based regeneration, the learning from this remarkable experiment is clear — ordinary people can deliver real change when they are given the tools to do it.
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact press@localtrust.org.uk or 0203 588 0428.