This summer marks more than a decade of resident-led change as 100 areas complete the Big Local programme – an initiative which has seen local people across England take the lead in improving their neighbourhoods.
Across England, communities are celebrating the success of the Big Local programme, the largest single-purpose Lottery-funded endowment ever made. 150 communities were given £1m each to improve the areas they live in – as a result of which, thousands of people in some of England’s most disadvantaged areas have seen their lives improved.
The 100 Big Local areas that have so far completed the programme have delivered impactful, resident-led projects aiming to tackle locally determined priorities, demonstrating the power of community-led neighbourhood regeneration. These range from show-stopping community events, including a marathon and music festivals; to investment in local infrastructure, such as play areas and sports facilities; a solar farm; and even a community-owned wind turbine.
With 50 areas still active in the programme, there will be many more achievements to add to the list in the near future. However, with two-thirds of the Big Local areas celebrating reaching the end of their Big Local journey, it feels like an appropriate moment to take stock of a project designed to be radically different from other funding programmes.
Rachel Rowney, who has been with Local Trust since the beginning of its journey 12 years ago, recently took the helm as our chief executive. She says the impact of these areas’ work will continue to be felt long after the projects have finished:
“The Big Local programme is the largest single-purpose Lottery-funded endowment ever made, and the biggest ever investment by a non-state funder in place-based, resident-led change in England.
This milestone is not just the culmination of years of dedication. Local areas have formed legacy organisations to continue their work. Many local community groups are continuing to flourish and Big Local areas’ investment in building and developing local infrastructure, such as community centres, will continue to provide residents with shared spaces for decades to come. Local people will continue to champion their communities, building on the confidence and leadership skills they’ve developed through being part of the Big Local programme.”
The100th area: World’s End and Lots Road Big Local
Above: World’s End and Lots Road Big Local. Photo: Local Trust/Claudia Leisinger
The 100th area to complete their project was World’s End and Lots Road Big Local in Chelsea. Shaherun Islam, Chair at World’s End and Lots Road Big Local discusses the transformative impact the programme has had on residents:
“What I love about Big Local, is that we work with people who otherwise might have been ignored. Building bridges across communities has been a highlight and people see us as a friend, not a profit-driven organisation. Supporting people to find work has been a big part of what we do, because we believe that having a job can be transformative. Our legacy is knowing that our work will continue, even when we’ve moved on when we become the Chelsea Big Local, our new charity. And that’s my mission: to make sure this continues.”
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