Essays

Carey Newson explores how four Big Local areas – Ramsey, Plaistow, Gateshead and Boston – are each tapping into unique local histories to reignite pride in their community.

In this compelling tour of five Big Local areas, Stephen Bates interviews a range of people about how faith motivates and sustains their involvement in community.

Dan Gregory collects evidence from three Big Local areas – in Southampton, Manchester and Bristol – and asks how our social infrastructure will fare as communities brace for a looming crisis in service provision?

This essay reports on the aspirations and achievements of Big Local areas in Merseyside, Lincoln and Telford, and places them in the context of previous experiences of community development, decline and revitalisation.

In this lively account of visits to Big Local areas in Kent, Blackpool, Leicester and Doncaster, David Boyle examines the powerful stories of the residents involved and challenges established ideas about what it takes to create local change.