Local Trust newsletter July 2017

Barnfield People portraits by Tim Wainwright | Empowered Communities blog series 
| Big Local Film Festival highlights | Bloomin' Boston | Bringing high speed broadband to a rural village | Revised guidance on Big Local partnerships |
Locality Convention | Community Business Trade Up programme | Run a Fun Palace 
| Free events on young people's involvement in Big Local

Barnfield People
Portraits by Tim Wainwright

Artist and photographer Tim Wainwright has been getting to know the people of Barnfield Big Local area in Greenwich, and recording them as they talk about their lives and their estate.

The result is a collection of conversations and portraits, which provides an insight into the vibrancy, warmth and complexity of one of London’s many ‘left behind’ communities, and how residents are coming together to forge a different and more hopeful future. Explore the collection.

Big Local in the news
Community ownership of land and buildings

Birchwood Big Local are progressing plans for 60 affordable homes in Lincoln. They've set up their own Community Land Trust in order to to acquire and steward land. Last week the local council approved their proposals in principle. Read article.

Historic station buildings in Gobowen in Shropshire are now under community ownership, thanks to a social investment from Three Parishes Big Local. The buildings will be restored to their former glory, bringing improved transport links and new jobs to the area. Read article.

Bringing high speed broadband to a rural village

"Access to high speed broadband makes a very significant difference to the quality of life and the economy of an area."

High speed broadband isn't always readily available in rural areas. In a village in Derbyshire, Big Local has helped to establish an innovative solution, as local resident Geoff explains. Read Geoff's blog.

Revised guidance on Big Local partnerships

We've made some changes to our guidance on Big Local partnerships. Your Big Local rep will be able to tell you if this affects you, and you can contact your rep with any questions about the new guidance.

Locality Convention 2017
Discount for Local Trust network

Locality Convention 2017 is an exciting two-day event for everyone involved in helping their local communities thrive. Run by the charity Locality, it's in Manchester on 14 and 15 November 2017. You can hear from inspiring people, learn new skills to take back to your community and join conversations with leading policymakers. 

Tickets booked before 31 August are usually £285 +VAT, but you can get tickets for £220 +VAT using discount code PARLT17 when you book your ticket. This discount code is exclusive to the Local Trust network, please do not share it with anyone else. Find out more and book.

Community Business Trade Up programme
Grants and courses from School for Social Entrepreneurs

If you run a community business or social enterprise focused on improving your local area, or you know someone who does, get in touch with our friends at School for Social Entrepreneurs. They could support you with a grant of up to £10k and a learning programme to help you grow. Find out more. 

Run a Fun Palace
"Everyone an artist, everyone a scientist"

Over the first weekend of October every year, thousands of people across the country make Fun Palaces. Some are big, some tiny, all of them give everyone - of all ages - a chance to try out something new, from arts and sciences to craft, tech and digital. It’s about bringing people together, celebrating creativity, and having fun.  Read more about what a Fun Palace is here. And then sign up to make yours!