Wider networks of support for community groups

As the Big Local programme has finished you may wish to join networks that can support specific activities or projects you are continuing with beyond Big Local.

Below are some networks, memberships and resources to help you get started on making those links. This list is not exhaustive, and we recommend that you do some research to find out if a network will suit your needs.

For specific advice around funding and support, we recommend connecting to your local infrastructure organisation.

ACRE network members are charitable local development agencies that can provide support for a wide range of rural community projects and initiatives. You can contact your local ACRE Network member to find out more about their projects, advice and support for your rural community. Services include funding applications, health and wellbeing projects, energy advice and volunteer management.
Amazing Communities Together (ACT) is a national network formed by community leaders from Big Local areas across England, bringing people together to share practical learning, build leadership skills and help communities influence decisions at every level.
Centre for Sustainable Energy funding sources list has been prepared by CSE to help community groups find sources of funding for sustainable energy projects.
Community Practitioner’s Network is a paid network which brings together people from across the UK who work with or in the community. It provides expert training alongside tailored support through monthly online webinars.
Digital Culture Network is run by the Arts Council and provides free tech advice and support for not-for-profit arts and culture organisations and projects. Submit your request for support to their dedicated tech champions and join events.

Eden project communities is a community network bringing together people across the UK to create a peer-to-peer support system of community-minded doers. Meet others, receive support and advice and be part of something bigger.

Family Arts Networks is part of the Family Arts Campaign. The networks are a way for local organisations to work together to share learnings, provide a wide range of quality family arts experiences, reach more family audiences, engage with more diverse families and better understand their needs. The Family Arts Campaign has fostered the creation of Local Family Arts Networks with a place-based and collaborative emphasis, focusing on specific regional knowledge and sharing insights, resources and skills.

Groundwork website: Find out what grant funding is available in your area for poverty alleviation or environmental projects. You can also find training, support and advice for projects by finding your nearest Groundwork.
Locality membership: Locality offer a range of different memberships to community organisations rooted in villages, towns and cities across England and support them to be strong and successful, so they can transform lives and create a fairer society.
London plus connects, supports and advocates for charities and community groups to make London more cohesive, resilient and enable it to flourish.

MyCommunity is a website for people and organisations who are passionate about their community. Finding informative, accurate, up-to-date resources can be a real challenge for community groups and individuals looking to make change in their community. MyCommunity provides a central hub for this information and support – saving local charities, community groups, and individual change-makers valuable time, and empowering them to provide even better services and support.

NAVCA members are local infrastructure organisations that support local charities, community groups and volunteers – helping people work together on what matters to them. You can find and contact your local NAVCA member and find out about their projects, advice, services and support offers.

Neighbourhood Democracy is a movement to create real democracy in every community and a real shift of power to local people. The Neighbourhood Democracy Movement exists to create a world where everyone can get involved in the life of their local community and everyone has the right to meet, make decisions and act together to make all their neighbourhoods a better, more welcoming and beautiful place to live. Membership is free and you can contact other members via the website.

Plunkett UK is a national charity supporting people in rural areas to set up and run a wide range of businesses in community ownership.

Social Enterprise UK is the biggest network of social enterprises in the country. Provides members with guidance, opportunities, and a strong collective voice for the sector.

Social Farms & Gardens UK is a UK wide charity supporting communities to farm, garden and grow together.

The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) developed a community network to support the thousands of groups across the UK who are passionate about the creation and protection of local green spaces. You will have access to TCV resources, help with health and safety guidance, safeguarding supports, obtaining insurance at a reduced rate, and volunteer recruitment and retention.

The Social Change Nest (SCN) is a UK-based Community Interest Company (CIC) that acts as a fiscal host and capacity builder for grassroots groups, movements, and non-profits. Founded in 2020, it removes financial/administrative barriers — such as needing a bank account or legal structure — to allow groups to receive funding and focus on social change.

Transition Network is a movement consisting of community-led groups working for a low-carbon, socially just future with resilient communities, more active participation in society, and caring culture focused on supporting each other. In practice, they use participatory methods to imagine the change they want to see, setting up renewable energy projects, re-localising food systems, and creating community and green spaces. Find out more about the current  Transition Network groups.

UK Community Foundations is a network of community foundations who support people and organisations to make a difference to the communities and places they love. You can find your local foundation here.