Communities can help health agencies improve local health and wellbeing – and this is already happening in Big Local areas. That's the key finding of new independent research on Big Local. For a brilliant example, check out the story of Heath Big Local's palliative care hub (pictured above). 

The findings also have a wider significance beyond health. They show that Big Local enables residents and organisations who care about the same things to try something new together. This applies whatever the local priorities, and it's one of the principles behind the latest achievements of the Big Local community-led housing project in Goldthorpe.

We're currently calling for research tenders for Empowered Communities in the 2020s, which is our major research project to help scope the future of community development. The deadline for proposals is Monday 16 January 2017, so please pass on the opportunity.

Below you'll also find details of accredited training courses and Big Local Spring Events in 2017.

I wish you all a happy festive season and thank you for all you have done with Big Local in 2016.

Rachel Rowney, head of programme delivery, Local Trust

New independent research by IVAR has found that residents in Big Local areas can help health agencies deliver common goals by providing a fuller picture of health and wellbeing, piloting new ideas that can be taken up by others and enhancing health promotion.

Big Local areas are also bringing together residents, health agencies and local decision makers to create jointly produced solutions.

IVAR have shared the key learnings for all Big Local areas and a range of practical resources in this blog. You can also download the research report to get the full picture.

Owing to a chance suggestion, the Heath Big Local partnership discovered that there was a strong demand for local palliative care services in their community.

There is now a lively, cheerful and busy community of volunteers enabling people to live well in later life and to access appropriate support. These services operate out of a newly renovated building and are delivered with the help of more than 25 local organisations, including local hospices. Read more.

Our Empowered Communities research project is set to explore a radically different future for communities in the 2020s and beyond. We've announced the project steering group, research questions and call for tenders. The deadline for tenders is Monday 16 January. Read more.

LGiU have announced the UK's leading Community Collaborators in a brand new award for councillors sponsored by Local Trust. The award helped drive the debate about how local government can respond to the challenges and opportunities of enabling and supporting resident-led initiatives. We'll be exploring this issue further with a roundtable event - details to follow in the new year. Read more.

The residents in charge of Goldthorpe and Bolton on Dearne Big Local's housing project, which featured in the Guardian earlier this year, are celebrating the renovation of their first property. John Healey, Shadow Housing Minister and local MP, attended the opening (pictured).

As well as providing good quality, affordable homes for rent, the project has created new apprenticeships and work experience opportunities for young people from the area, and 14 of them have gone on to find full time employment. Read more.

The Big Local training calendar for 2017 is out now and all these courses offer accreditation through a recognised awarding body.

Course topics include practical project management, leadership and managing volunteers. View courses.

If you can't find what you’re looking for in our training calendar, remember that we also offer bespoke training. This means that we can arrange for training to take place in your area on a topic of your choice. Get in touch to find out more.

Calling all chairs, co-chairs and vice chairs of Big Local partnerships! Join our latest action learning group to work through real life issues you face in your role and build a wider support network of other Big Local chairs. The group's first meeting will be Tuesday 28 February, in Manchester. Read more.

Spring Events are a fantastic opportunity for people from Big Local areas across the country to get together, get inspired and get skilled up. Booking is not yet open, but you can save the date that suits you best.

Liverpool: Thursday 27 April
Sheffield: Saturday 6 May
Birmingham: Saturday 13 May
Chester-le-Street, Durham: Tuesday 16 May
London: Saturday 27 May