Local Trust is a place-based funder supporting communities to achieve their ambitions.
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< Back to main menuBig Local is an exciting opportunity for residents in 150 areas to create lasting change in their communities.
About the programmeEssential guidance, information and ideas for Big Local partnerships, to help you deliver change in your community.
Visit the support centreFind out how the principles of Big Local have inspired other programmes creating change in local communities.
Community Leadership Academy
Supporting volunteers involved in Big Local projects to develop their skills and knowledge.
Find out moreCreative Civic Change
This new approach to funding enabled communities to use art and creativity to make positive local change.
Find out moreThe latest news and stories from Big Local areas and beyond, exploring community power and resident-led change.
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Voices of Big Local
Inspiring stories from the people making change happen in their communities.
Read moreLocal Trust is a place-based funder supporting communities to achieve their ambitions.
Find out moreGo straight to…
< Back to main menuBig Local is an exciting opportunity for residents in 150 areas to create lasting change in their communities.
About the programmeEssential guidance, information and ideas for Big Local partnerships, to help you deliver change in your community.
Visit the support centreFind out how the principles of Big Local have inspired other programmes creating change in local communities.
Community Leadership Academy
Supporting volunteers involved in Big Local projects to develop their skills and knowledge.
Find out moreCreative Civic Change
This new approach to funding enabled communities to use art and creativity to make positive local change.
Find out moreThe latest news and stories from Big Local areas and beyond, exploring community power and resident-led change.
ExploreGo straight to…
Voices of Big Local
Inspiring stories from the people making change happen in their communities.
Read moreFrom the project research team at IVAR
Last week, Leila Baker attended the Befriending Networks Annual Conference to invite reflections on our findings so far. One emerging theme is that people who feel connected to their community hold a number of ‘identities’ within that community: as a resident perhaps they help at their child’s school; as an interested party they have been involved in a local hospital campaign; and their work gives them connection to a local business. We are also finding that people who have fewer opportunities to link to their community may also be or feel ‘trapped’ in a place or identity.
‘Befrienders offer relationships which recognise, affirm, generate older people’s various identities’
You can read a full write-up of the session here.
Click to explore the Empowered Communities area of our website.