Search icon

Search

blog Mar 2026 Community spirit

Community-led change created by people, not programmes

Community leaders are the key ingredient of community-led change. Drawing on learning from Big Local, Georgie Burr explores how investing in resident leadership — from listening campaigns to small grants — creates the conditions for lasting transformation in communities.

blog Feb 2026 Community spirit Skills

Practical lessons on involving communities in place-based research

In February, Local Trust hosted a seminar bringing together academic, community and third-sector researchers to reflect honestly on what works – and what doesn’t – when involving communities in research. This blog reflects on the three major lessons from the seminar

research Local economies

Making the most of it

This report by IPPR North explores how unitarisation enables democratic renewal through hyperlocal governance and community participation

blog Feb 2026 Health and wellbeing Spaces and services

Health, wellbeing and belonging: Lessons from Big Local communities

As Big Local comes to an end in 2026, we’re reflecting on the ways communities have addressed local health and wellbeing challenges. In this blog, Lucy Thurley explores how shared meals and inclusive gatherings in Big Local areas like Wick Award and Pimlico Million have tackled loneliness and social isolation, by creating community spaces where people feel welcome, visible and valued

Ahead of our planned closure in early 2027, discover Learning from Big Local – your resource for community-led change.

Ahead of our planned closure in early 2027, discover Learning from Big Local – your resource for community-led change.

Visit Learning from Big Local