Local Trust newsletter May 2017

Local Trust newsletter May 2017
Events for Big Local residents | New project launches to scope the future of empowered communities

Learn new skills and get fresh ideas at our free events this June and July. All the events are designed to help you make your area an even better place. Scroll down to see what's on offer. Anyone who lives in a Big Local area can come - so spread the word! We can pay for residents' travel costs and other expenses, just ask when booking. View the full events calendar.

We're also inviting everyone, whether you are part of Big Local or not, to have your say on what you think will help make communities more empowered in the future. It's part of a new research and public engagement project we've just launched. Visit the Empowered Communities project website to find out more.

Big Local Film Festival
Saturday 1 July
Birmingham

Join us at the first ever Big Local Film Festival! Celebrate, watch and discuss films from Big Local areas, and brush up on film-making skills too. The day is hosted by the team behind the Our Bigger Story project and is open to people from all Big Local areas. Book online before 16 June.

White tree with paper tags with writing on

How can communities become more empowered and vibrant in the next ten years?

That’s the question driving ‘Empowered Communities in the 2020s’, which is our new research and public engagement project. Along with our research partner, IVAR, we want to gather a wide range of views about the future of communities – including yours!

Individuals, organisations, public services and community groups can all take part via the project website or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #Empowered2020s

Social entrepreneur in a childcare setting

'Seeing is believing' visits

Visit and hear from an inspirational social entrepreneur who is tackling a local issue and creating lasting change. Learn about social enterprise and think about how you could work with social entrepreneurs to address issues identified in your Big Local plan.

Meet a social entrepreneur improving local opportunities in York on 6 June

Meet a social entrepreneur improving life for families in Manchester on 19 June

Meet a social entrepreneur tackling unemployment in Peterlee, County Durham on 29 June

Accredited training courses

Enjoy interactive, practical training that will help you deliver Big Local. These in-depth courses support you to develop your personal skills and confidence and there's also the option to gain a recognised accreditation for your CV.

Leadership and team skills (6 day course)
in Barnsley, starting 7 June

Managing volunteers (2 day course)
in Birmingham, starting 21 June **LIMITED PLACES REMAINING**

Understanding and influencing local decision makers (6 day course)
in Barnsley, starting 10 July

Bristol action learning group for Big Local chairs

If you're a chair, co-chair or vice-chair of your Big Local partnership, this action learning group is your chance to:

Work through the real life issues you face in your role as chair.
Use critical thinking to look at challenges from a fresh perspective.
Learn a new approach to problem solving.

The group will meet monthly for four months, in Bristol, starting 13 June. Find out more.

Learning and networking days

These themed days are informal opportunities to swap ideas and share achievements with people from other Big Local areas.

Community buildings: making them pay and keeping them going,
in Birmingham on 7 June