In Kent, Lynd Taylor, the chair of Big Local Eastern Sheppey (BLES), had a vision for turning an old police station into a hub that would connect the area’s three villages – a project that became his legacy to the community.
Big Local Eastern Sheppey celebrates a wealth of local projects that transforms a doubly disadvantaged area into a stronger, more connected community with renewed pride, purpose, and opportunity.
Donna Inwood, chair of Leecliffe Big Local, shares how talking therapies, youth groups and drama workshops are helping to improve the mental health of young people in her community.
As a partnership member of Big Local SW11, Asi Munisi has helped bring community members together to strengthen alliances and create lasting change in Battersea.
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.
