Local Trust newsletter May 2018

Local Trust newsletter May 2018
Updates all round

This month we have some handy tips on GDPR, the launch of a new essay on the loss of civic spaces and an exciting opportunity for Big Local areas to share their 'Journey's to power' at a pop-up museum that's pitching up at Big Local Connects.

GDPR top ten tips for Big Local partnerships

GDPR can seem complicated and difficult to understand. To help you get started, we’ve also put together some top tips on the things you need to think about. Find out more.

Places to meet: how local spaces keep communities together

In this blog Dan Gregory, author of ‘Skittled out?’, asks what the impact of losing civic spaces and structures such as local hubs or sports clubs has had on communities across the country, and examines how Sale West, SO18 and Lawrence Western Big Local areas are trying to fill the gap. Read the blog.

Resident blogger: My home is being regenerated

"Residents knew nothing about what they were planning and I couldn’t help being vocal about it. We have lives to organise, plans to make for the future of our children. Was it worthwhile buying new carpets, decorating or buying new furniture? Didn’t the council realise this?"

Kim Ayling, Chair of SO18 Big Local, talks about the stress of living on the verge of regeneration and what her Big Local is doing to help. Read the blog.

Reviewing the Rep role

Part of evolving the support we offer Big Local areas includes looking at the role of the Rep, and how that will look in the future now so many areas are in the delivery phase of their plan. Find out more.

Updated guidance: Political activities and Big Local areas

This guidance updates our approach to what we mean by “political activity” and explains what this means for Big Local areas going forward.
Read the guidance.

Film of the month: Our Bigger Story 50th film milestone

This video taken from the Grassland and Hasmoor Big Local Open Forum by Our Bigger Story - the multimedia research project documenting the Big Local experience - captures how decisions are made with the community. Read the full story.

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 the live stream

Don't worry If you can't make it to London on the 10 July - you can still take part in the discussion from wherever you are in the country by joining our live stream. Don't miss the launch of the report on what needs to change if we’re to build powerful communities in the 2020s from Local Trust and IVAR. Find out more.

One month to go!

Over 100 areas from all across the country are joining us at the largest Big Local event to date. We're announcing the full agenda very soon so don't miss out! Find out more.

Pop-up Museum of Big Local

Big Local Connects, London June 29-30, is hosting a pop-up museum celebrating the work of individual Big Local areas, called “Journeys to Power”. A low-key, entertaining, involving display of … your stuff!! Curator Susan Williamson is inviting all Big Local areas to contribute something to the museum that represents their journey to power. Find out more on the Big Local Facebook group.

Save the date

Leadership and Big Local - 28 September 2018, Warwick (Coventry)
LTOs, Workers and Partnerships - 14 November 2018, Manchester

Further details on both of these events will follow in due course. Contact us at info@localtrust.org.uk to register your interest.

Big Local in the news

Final preparations made for Whitley Bay Carnival

Boston celebrates medieval connections

500 species recorded: Why Oswestry's ancient hillfort is a hive of wildlife activity

Hundreds of people turn out to mark opening of Barrow Island's new community hub

Volunteers team up with youth charity workers to clear up street plagued by environmental crime

Coming soon: In June the second edition of the Local Trust podcast will discuss the challenges of keeping a community together without spaces or support.
Listen to the previous episode.