Youth centre manager Christine Pattinson led work on Distington Big Local’s play park, which opened in the summer of 2024. She shares the journey of making the 10-year project happen.
As chair of Rastrick Big Local, Amanda Caldwell has overseen projects to unite this part of the West Yorkshire community, regenerating local spaces and supporting community groups with rising energy costs.
When Yvonne Griggs left school, she was told she’d never hold down a job. Then a brain haemorrhage forced her to retire early. Now, Yvonne champions her local park and is an inspirational community leader with Birchwood Big Local, defying expectations – including her own.
Join our former journalists-at-large Louise Tickle and Ryan Herman as they reconnect with individuals from across Big Local, and explore the personal impact being part of the programme has had on their lives.
In Portsmouth, Fratton Big Local – and now their legacy organisation, Fratton Together – has helped to deliver show-stopping art installations, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the area and inspiring their community.
In Windmill Hill in Runcorn, Nikki and Carole connected over their vision for the redevelopment of St Bert’s church and community hub – which is just one of the legacies their Big Local is leaving for its residents.
In Runcorn, Windmill Hill housing estate is surrounded by natural beauty – but found itself sidelined and neglected. Today, despite facing challenges, their Big Local partnership has big wins to celebrate with the community – and is committed to creating a better future for the next generation.
Elaine is the chair of Big Local Shadsworth with Whitebirk in Blackburn. As they become the 50th of 150 areas to complete their Big Local journey, she shares the impact of their work and the legacy they’re continuing locally.
In the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, support from North meets South Big Local has enabled volunteers Aisha and Annette to turn their vision for a children’s Messy Play project into reality.
