News from Local Trust and the Big Local programme
No Images? Click here
Local Trust newsletter April 2018
Get connected
Find out how Big Local areas are tackling isolation within their communities and how you can get to know other Big Local areas at our first national Big Local event
Sign up for the biggest Big Local event ever!
Big Local Connects is the first gathering of all Big Local areas at a single event. From Hastings to Hartlepool, people are coming together to share their experiences of Big Local, learn from other areas and get inspired by the huge range of resident-led projects transforming communities across the country. Find out more.
Photo album: Spring has sprung
These brilliant images, contributed on the Working on Big Local Facebook group, show how residents across the country are getting out into the sunshine to support and celebrate their communities. The Facebook group is an easy and friendly way to share achievements, ask questions and exchange ideas with other Big Local areas.
From left to right, thank you to Shana Roberts (Brookside Big Local), Wendy Alcock (Catten Grove Big Local), Maddy Howe (Marsh and Micklefield Big Local), Simon Johnson (St Matthews Big Local), Keith Bush (Big Worle Big Local) and Julia Hines (Grange Big Local) for sharing these with us.
If you'd like to share your story with other Big Locals, or ask for pointers on a new project, consider joining the Working on Big Local Facebook group.
Have your say on Big Local
The second ever National Survey of Partnership Members opens on 1 May 2018. This is the chance for partnership members to give their view on how much of a difference Big Local is making to their area, and their lives. Find out more.
Resident blogger: The route of the issue
"We’re trying really hard to make an impact and to reduce the rural isolation that people tell us they feel."
Lack of bus routes and limited access to services have led to isolation for many of the residents in Ramsey Million Big Local. Val Fendley, Programme Manager at Ramsey Million, outlines how investing in new types of transport and reducing reasons for travel outside the area is helping to alleviate some of the pressure. Read the blog.
Film of the Month: Sompting tell their story
Sompting Big Local have taken on projects that cover everything from teaching gardening skills to kids to helping older people set up an e-mail account. Thoughtful interventions that are bringing residents together.
Do you want your Big Local film featured here? Tag us on social media, or just drop us an e-mail.
The future of communities
Join us for the launch of the Local Trust and IVAR report on what needs to change if we’re to build powerful communities in the 2020s. We’ll be holding an interactive event at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre on 10 July to discuss the report’s findings. Find out more.
£23m up for grabs for community planning
The Government has allocated over £23m between 2018 - 2022 to support the development of neighbourhood plans or neighbourhood development orders. Locality has a huge range of resources and guidance available to support communities interested in taking on a project of this type. Find out more.
Civil society strategy: share your views
Have your say on how government can work with and for civil society to tackle challenges and unlock opportunities to build a stronger society now and in the future. Local Trust will be making the case for strengthening local control of decision making and funding, using Big Local as an important example of this in practice. It would be great if Big Local areas had their say.
This consultation closes at 9am on 22 May 2018. Take part.
Coming soon: Author Dan Gregory explores social infrastructure in 3 Big Local areas - Lawrence Weston, SO18 and Sale West. While you're waiting, you might want to read Julian Dobson's and David Boyle’s fantastic essays which kicked off the series.
