'Below the radar' organisations are often volunteer-led and unregistered, yet they provide vital support in their communities.
We’re pleased to support @360giving.org's report 'Below the Radar 2' that highlights the impact of these organisations, & explores the funding that sustains them.
Why are equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles essential to effective collaboration?
In this blog, our senior programme coordinator Natasha Almond shares examples from Big Local areas that highlight how inclusive collaboration contributed to the programme’s success: https://bit.ly/40Eu6hv
After 2,500 suggestions from residents, one issue stood out: poor-quality private renting & bad landlords. So the partnership asked a bold question: what if they became the landlord the community needed?
This is how Leigh Neighbours Big Local became an ethical lettings agency: bit.ly/3Pgycto
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Community engagement that reshaped housing plans 🏠
When Leigh Neighbours Big Local set out to understand residents’ concerns, they wanted to hear from every part of the community. They invited residents to write their ideas and suggestions directly onto a 3D model of the area.
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The image shows a person gesturing with their hands in an indoor setting. A green text box on the left displays "Local Trust trusting local people" and details about expressions of interest for managing a new Liverpool community health learning project. The deadline is Monday 23 March 2026, 12:00 pm (UK time). The Community Fund logo appears at the bottom.
💡Help shape the future of health and wellbeing in Liverpool
We’re seeking an organisation or collective to manage and deliver grant funding for Liverpool Beacons, an ambitious project focusing on community-led approaches to tackling health & wellbeing inequalities.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/409Edug
A group of three people stands together, smiling and conversing. One person holds a booklet. The logos of Local Trust, Big Local, and the Community Fund are visible. The image includes the text "How to meaningfully engage your community" and a website URL www.learningfrombiglocal.org.uk.
How do we build & sustain meaningful community engagement?
Big Local put power in residents’ hands, making community engagement central to decision-making. It wasn’t always easy, but areas found practical ways to make it work. Learn how on the Learning from Big Local website: https://bit.ly/3OGC4Ux
This image features a person standing and smiling, wearing a blue shirt and black overalls. Text on the left reads: "Community-led change created by people, not programmes." Below, it says "Georgie Burr, Programme manager, Local Trust." Logos for "Local Trust" and "Big Local" are at the top.
🔗In this blog, our programme manager Georgie Burr reflects on what community engagement looked like in Big Local, sharing examples of areas that successfully sustained local involvement.
She also offers tips for funders & policymakers to better support community-led change: https://bit.ly/4si17vx
This image features a graphic with a circle containing icons of people and the number "4,900." Below, text reads: "Across the Big Local programme: 4,900 residents volunteered as partnership members." Logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and The National Lottery Community Fund are present.
The image shows a circular chart with 25% highlighted in red. Text below states: "Across the Big Local programme: 25% of local residents had not volunteered or engaged in community activity before." Logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and The National Lottery Community Fund are present.
A pie chart showing 76% in a red segment with text stating, "76% of volunteers planned to continue volunteering beyond Big Local." Logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and the Community Fund are present.
A graphic with text and logos. The top left corner features "Local Trust" and "Big Local" logos. Below, there's an icon of a handshake. The text reads: "Across the Big Local programme: 123 legacy organisations will continue the Big Local story in their area." The bottom right corner displays the Community Fund logo.
Find out what this looked like in practice by visiting the resident leadership theme page on Learning from Big Local. You’ll find Q&A articles, resident stories and area summaries that explore the realities - and the lessons - of long-term, community-led change: bit.ly/4rDwb8W
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A group of people seated at a table engaged in discussion. The image features logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and The National Lottery Community Fund. Text reads, "What did resident leadership look like in Big Local?"
After 15 years of Big Local, one thing is clear: resident leadership takes time.
Big Local set out to back residents with long-term, unconditional funding, and to increase residents’ capacity to make decisions that shape their communities for the better.
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Presentation slide featuring a person in a navy shirt beside text that reads, 'Practical lessons on involving communities in place-based research' by Jack Loughnane, Senior Quantitative Researcher, Local Trust. Logos of Local Trust, Big Local, and The National Lottery Community Fund are visible.
Place-based research depends on meaningful community involvement – but not all researchers get it right.
At our seminar on community-led research, researchers shared their experiences of working with communities. Our senior researcher, Jack Loughnane, shares three key lessons: https://bit.ly/4qRnMOh
This image features a presentation slide with a question: "How have the most disadvantaged communities improved health and wellbeing on their own terms?" Below is the name Sue Ansarie, with the title "Research assistant, Local Trust." The top left corner displays the Local Trust and Big Local logos. The bottom right corner includes a Community Fund logo.
Sue Ansarie started her Big Local journey as a resident volunteer. Today, she’s part of our research team, bringing lived experience into how we learn from community-led change. Here, Sue shares insights from Big Local areas on improving neighbourhood health and wellbeing: https://bit.ly/4s2Cu5S
A graphic with a pale blue background on the left and a portrait photo on the right. At the top left are the logos “Local Trust” and “Big Local”. Large bold text reads: “When residents lead: What Big Local shows us about community power and lasting change”. Below it, smaller text reads: “Alex Boys Head of programme/strategic lead for programme legacy, Local Trust”. On the right is a head-and-shoulders photograph of a smiling man with short brown hair, wearing a dark crew-neck jumper over a collared shirt, in the bottom right corner is a pink National Lottery crossed-fingers logo
What does resident leadership look like in practice?
In this blog, our head of programme, Alex Boys, explains why resident leadership was central to Big Local’s success, and uses examples from Big Local areas to share practical lessons on nurturing resident leadership: https://bit.ly/4tKGsl9
Since 2015, almost 5,000 people have volunteered in Big Local.
In this Charity People podcast episode, we explore volunteering in Big Local, with @maddiejennings.bsky.social discussing how it strengthens communities and how the government can support volunteer-led initiatives: https://bit.ly/3MT0NEo
Green graphic with logos for Local Trust, IPPR North, and The National Lottery Community Fund. Text reads: "A once-in-a-generation chance to strengthen local democracy. Three opportunities for democratic innovation in the Devolution Bill." An arrow points right.
A green graphic titled "1. Reform and expand hyperlocal councils" with a subtitle stating "So democracy is truly within 'walking distance' of every community." It includes logos for Local Trust, IPPR North, and the National Lottery Community Fund, along with an illustration of a classical building.
The image is a graphic with a green background, featuring the number 2, and the text: "Create empowered neighbourhood boards with at least 50 percent community representation and real decision-making power." Logos for Local Trust, IPPR North, and The National Lottery Community Fund are visible.
The image is a graphic with a green background. with text that reads, "3. Adopt bold participatory democratic practices," followed by bullet points: "Enable remote voting for councillors" and "Embed co-production, participatory budgeting and citizens' assemblies as standard practice." The logos of Local Trust, IPPR North, and Community Fund are present. There are icons of raised fists alongside the text.
Will the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill strengthen or weaken local democracy?
@ipprnorth.bsky.social’s new report, supported by Local Trust, argues that unitarisation presents a rare opportunity for democratic renewal – if accompanied by intentional reforms.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4aEmeRD
Read how health and wellbeing became such a big focus over on Learning from Big Local. There, you’ll find examples of areas championing health, relevant articles, resident stories, and more: bit.ly/3ONkaPH
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A graphic for Local Trust and Big Local shows two people walking a dog along a canal path. The text reads: "How did Big Local impact health and wellbeing? Here's how Big Local areas made a difference:" and includes a website link: www.learningfrombiglocal.co.uk. The National Lottery Community Fund logo is displayed in the corner.
Community health starts with community power.
Just over 10 years into the programme, Big Local areas had collectively spent £6.3m on health and wellbeing activities, with 104 of 150 areas using their funding in this way.
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Graphic for a Future Governance Forum and Local Trust online event titled “A new relationship between people and the state” with the subtitle “How can the government make a success of Pride in Place?”, taking place Tuesday 24 February, 12.30–1.30pm, streamed live via Zoom. It lists an opening presentation by Oliver Smith and Pritpal S Tamber, and a panel discussion featuring Clare Wightman, Monica Needs, Alex Boys, and Grace Wyld (Chair), each shown with a headshot and their roles beneath their names, on a coral and pale pink background with the Future Governance Forum and Local Trust logos at the top.
Join us and @futuregovforum.bsky.social for a webinar on how we build a new relationship between people and the state.
📅Tuesday 24 February
🕧12:30 – 1:30 pm
🔗 https://bit.ly/3Ohw4kU
If you’re interested in neighbourhoods, community empowerment, & meaningful devolution, this conversation is for you.
A person is smiling, wearing a black sweater, standing outdoors with a blurred street background. To the left, there is text about "Health, wellbeing and belonging: Lessons from Big Local communities" by Lucy Thurley, Senior Programme Coordinator (Areas), Local Trust. Logos for Local Trust and Big Local are at the top.
For 15 years, Big Local communities have shown how powerful everyday spaces can be for health and wellbeing💚
In our blog, our senior programmes coordinator, Lucy Thurley, shares just two examples of how community action is improving health & wellbeing in Big Local areas: https://bit.ly/40hjLre
What can we achieve if we collectively listen to the people in our communities?
Our knowledge exchange event with VONNE brings together people from across the North East to explore how power can be devolved to residents — and held there.
Durham | 12 March 2026 | 9.30am - 4.30pm bit.ly/465K733
A promotional graphic for a report titled "Community buildings: strong foundations for renewal" by Alistair Ross and Grace Pollard. The header asks: "What does it take for a community-run building to thrive?" Logos for Local Trust and New Local appear against a bright green background.
Our report, 'Community buildings: strong foundations for renewal', developed with @wearenewlocal.bsky.social, explores what works in practice, the benefits for neighbourhoods, and questions for funders to prompt future action. [2/2]
Across Big Local, community-run buildings have sparked real social, economic and civic change - but they can’t thrive without long-term backing. [1/2]
A brick building features a sign reading "BOURNE COMMUNITY HUB." Above it, logos for Local Trust and Big Local are displayed. The image includes text: "Community assets and spaces in the Big Local programme." A website link is provided at the bottom.
The image features a large pound symbol in a black circle. Below, text states: "£23.4m spent on community assets and spaces across all areas." Logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and Community Fund are displayed.
Chart titled "Local Trust | Big Local" with a pie chart and text. The pie chart shows £23.4m in spending, divided into "Indoor community spaces £17.0m" (blue) and "Open spaces and parks £6.4m" (red). Below, text reads: "£17m invested in indoor community spaces like community hubs and cafes." Community Fund logo is in the bottom right corner.
A graphic shows a hand holding three buildings, with the text "200 community assets supported." Logos for Local Trust, Big Local, and The National Lottery Community Fund are displayed at the top and bottom of the image.
🏘️ Across Big Local areas, residents invested in over 200 community assets, improving their quality and accessibility, while also increasing community control and influence over them.
Learn how they achieved this on the Learning from Big Local website: https://bit.ly/46I93O6
The discussion follows the publication of 'Mission Critical 04: Building a new relationship between people and the state', published by @futuregovforum.bsky.social and Local Trust last October, and will also examine the report’s findings and recommendations.
Read the report here: bit.ly/3MrUo2G
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Graphic for a Future Governance Forum and Local Trust online event titled “A new relationship between people and the state” with the subtitle “How can the government make a success of Pride in Place?”, taking place Tuesday 24 February, 12.30–1.30pm, streamed live via Zoom. It lists an opening presentation by Oliver Smith and Pritpal S Tamber, and a panel discussion featuring Clare Wightman, Monica Needs, Alex Boys, and Grace Wyld (Chair), each shown with a headshot and their roles beneath their names, on a coral and pale pink background with the Future Governance Forum and Local Trust logos at the top.
Can the Pride in Place programme really be a ‘break from the past’?
Join us on 24 February for a lunchtime webinar with @futuregovforum.bsky.social, bringing together neighbourhood and community empowerment experts to explore whether it truly shifts power to local communities.
🔗 bit.ly/3Mec5mv
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Graphic with the Local Trust and Big Local logos at the top left, and a portrait photo on the right of a woman with dark hair in a bun, wearing a sleeveless black top, standing outdoors in a residential area. Text on a light blue background reads: “Why community spaces and places matter more than we realise” followed by “Helen Morton, Programme manager (areas), Local Trust,” with a National Lottery Community Fund logo in the bottom right.
“When we invest in places, we’re really investing in people.”
Our programme manager Helen Morton has seen first-hand the positive impact of community assets and spaces in Big Local areas. In this blog, she reflects on why these matter more than we often realise: https://bit.ly/3ZYCDeu
Green title slide reading, “What are the characteristics and value of time-limited trusts?” with the Local Trust Big Local logo at the top left. Text below reads, “Jack Loughnane, Senior qualitative researcher, Local Trust.” On the right is a portrait photo of a smiling man wearing a navy short-sleeved zip-neck top, standing outdoors, with the National Lottery Community Fund logo in the bottom right.
And read our latest blog, where our senior quantitative researcher Jack Loughnane:
- explores the key takeaways from the report
- reflects on how our time-limited trust model shaped the delivery of Big Local
- considers the legacy we hope it leaves for communities and funders alike.
🔗 bit.ly/4c21SnN
Green graphic with the Local Trust logo, which includes the words “trusting local people”, at the top left, and the Shared Intelligence logo at the top right. Large text reads, “How did being a time-limited trust benefit Local Trust?” followed by, “Our research highlights three areas where the time-limited model made a particular difference:”. A right-pointing arrow and the National Lottery Community Fund logo appear in the bottom right.
Green slide with the Local Trust logo, including the words “trusting local people”, at the top left, and the Shared Intelligence logo at the top right. The heading reads “Patience”. Body text says: “A long-term horizon meant no pressure to spend fast. This created time to: build partnerships; develop trust; agree on local priorities. As confidence grew, spending increased – a pace hard to sustain in short funding cycles.” The National Lottery Community Fund logo is in the bottom right.
Green slide with the Local Trust logo, including the words “trusting local people”, at the top left, and the Shared Intelligence logo at the top right. The heading reads “Flexibility”. Body text says: “Knowing funding was secure until 2026 gave communities freedom to: experiment; learn from mistakes; change direction. Support could adapt over time, rather than reacting to short-term results.” The National Lottery Community Fund logo appears in the bottom right.
Green slide with the Local Trust logo, including the words “trusting local people”, at the top left, and the Shared Intelligence logo at the top right. The heading reads “Influence”. Body text says: “Being designed to close strengthened our independence. It allowed Local Trust to: act as an honest broker; invest in long-term policy and research; stay insulated from political cycles.” The National Lottery Community Fund logo is shown at the bottom right.
Local Trust is a time-limited trust, closing in 2027.
We explore what this means in 'Better to spend out...?', a new report with Shared Intelligence on:
-the value of time-limited trusts
- what they have in common
- how they shape decision-making, delivery and impact
Read it here: bit.ly/45XzUFP
A light blue graphic headed with the Local Trust and Big Local logos reads, “Explore learning and insights from Big Local through themed research and stories.” It shows nine white boxes titled: “Community assets and spaces,” “Community change,” “Community engagement,” “Health and wellbeing,” “Investing in young people,” “Local economy,” “Place-based pride and connection,” “Resident leadership,” and “Working collaboratively,” followed by the heading “Learning from Big Local” and a search bar displaying “**www.learningfrombiglocal.org.uk**,” with the National Lottery Community Fund logo in the bottom right.
What themes have emerged from over a decade of learning from Big Local? The Learning from Big Local website offers a unique opportunity to explore ten themes that underpin work across Big Local areas - from community assets to resident leadership.
Explore them all: https://bit.ly/3ZocYMb
A white page with a navy border shows an article titled “Madeleine Jennings: Lessons in neighbourhood renewal” with the LGC logo and the words “Local Government Chronicle” in the top right. The text reads: “After 14 years and £1m invested in each of 150 areas, Big Local offers a blueprint for the future of civic life, writes the head of policy and communications at Local Trust.” A red pull-quote says, “Much of Big Local’s success was relational – grounded in making connections between neighbours and across areas,” alongside body text: “Big Local was unique. It placed funding and decision-making directly in the hands of residents, rebuilding community capacity and civic fabric that had been eroded nationwide. Unlike traditional grants overseen by Westminster or local councils, Big Local trusted communities to lead. Its decade-long horizon focused on process rather than quick wins, creating lasting change.”
In a new blog for the Local Government Chronicle, @maddiejennings.bsky.social sets out lessons in neighbourhood renewal from Big Local and highlights how Learning from Big Local brings evidence together to support further community-led change
Read the blog here: https://bit.ly/4bEBS1n
Read how this worked in practice in Big Local SW11, where local action and collaboration helped improve residents’ mental health: bit.ly/46piemz
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