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Insights

In-house and independent research and essays sharing observations on community-led development and change.

Community power

Demonstrating the potential of community-led, place-based change across society
What is community-led social prescribing?

Good health depends on more than just medicine. There are many factors – such as debt, loneliness, and poor…
Learning from Big Local

Find learning, research and stories from the Big Local programme on our new website ‘Learning from Big Local’.

Research

Explore all our research in one place

research
Progress happens at the speed of trust

This report highlights what it takes to build lasting relationships between...
Community spirit
research
Neighbourhood health and local government

This report summarises insights from the policy sprint which explores how...
Health and wellbeing
research
Making the most of it

This report by IPPR North explores how unitarisation enables democratic renewal...
Local economies
research
Better to spend out…?

This report by Shared Intelligence for Local Trust, considers the question:...
Local economies
research
Community buildings: strong foundations for renewal

Using evidence from Big Local, this report shows how long-term investment...
Spaces and services
research
Civic rewilding: Applying the lessons from Big Local

This report tells the story of the Big Local programme. Did...
Environment
View all research

Essays

Read essays written by independent thinkers looking at the impact and longevity of community-led change

| Big Local
Where do we go from here?

How COVID influenced community action

Ryan Herman
| Big Local
‘Us and them’: A mindset that has failed our communities

Why have the last three decades of community development initiatives left us with so many ‘left behind’ places?

David Boyle & Steve Wyler
| 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
Community Spirits

The changing role of faith in place

Stephen Bates
| Big Local
Skittled out?

The collapse and revival of England’s social infrastructure

Dan Gregory
| Big Local
New seeds beneath the snow?

Big Local neighbourhoods in action

Julian Dobson
| Big Local
The grammar of change

Big Local neighbourhoods in action

David Boyle
View all essays

Explore more

Health inequalities

Community-led initiatives targeting those most at risk of experiencing health inequalities.
Housing and new developments

What is needed for new places and their future residents to thrive over the long term?

Ahead of our planned closure in early 2027, discover Learning from Big Local – your resource for community-led change.

Ahead of our planned closure in early 2027, discover Learning from Big Local – your resource for community-led change.

Visit Learning from Big Local