Community buildings: strong foundations for renewal

Community-run buildings are foundational for neighbourhood renewal. Yet, 2.3 million people in England live in ‘doubly disadvantaged’ areas lacking such infrastructure.

So, what needs to change?

To ensure community spaces nationwide are thriving and sustainable, funders must provide long-term support for community buildings. This is achieved by combining capital investment with investment in people, skills, and relationships.

This support must be structured around the full lifecycle of a community-run building – from the initial stages of developing an idea, to taking on and opening a space, through to building long-term sustainability.

Big Local setting the example

Since the beginning of the Big Local programme, 40 Big Local partnerships have invested at least £50,000 in 42 community hubs – accounting for £9m of Big Local funding. In doing so, they have created spaces to:

• foster social connection
• help promote wellbeing
• support collaboration with public services.

Over the last 15 years, Big Local areas have shown these spaces are a priority for communities across England.

Key takeaways for those shaping the future of community-run buildings

• Trusts and foundations: To what extent could you work more collaboratively with each other to support community-run buildings?
• National policy makers: How can you design future funding programmes to build on and deepen the impact of existing funding for community-run buildings?
• Local authorities: What steps are you taking to ensure your funding is underpinned by light-touch and proportionate application and reporting requirements?

Read the full report for insights into how community-run buildings work in practice, the benefit to neighbourhoods and further reflective questions to inspire thought and action.