• Programmes

    Programmes

    A series of projects sharing what worked in the Big Local programme and why, and supporting the Big Local legacy in the communities that were involved.

    Beacon areas

    Supporting connections between community organisations continuing resident-led action beyond Big Local

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    Health inequalities

    Supporting community-led health and wellbeing approaches to tackle health inequalities

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    Learning and events

    Explore community development learning programmes and events

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  • News and blogs

    News and blogs

    The latest news and blogs from Local Trust, Big Local and beyond, exploring community power and resident-led change

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    News

    The latest news and announcements from Local Trust

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    Blogs

    Ideas and insights about Big Local and the impact of community-led change

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The Big Local programme

Local Trust was established in 2012 to deliver Big Local. The programme provided £1m each to 150 communities across England, to create lasting change in their neighbourhoods.

About Big Local

In scale, time horizon and ethos nothing like Big Local has ever existed. Find out what makes the programme different by design.

Policy

Through our policy and advocacy, we’re working to transform the way policy makers and funders engage with communities.

Insights

Explore our in-house and independent research on Big Local and more than a decade of community-led change.

The latest from Local Trust

The latest on community-led change and securing a better future for England’s doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

blog
March 2026
Preparing for crisis: How to build community capacity

When crisis hits, communities that are already connected, resourced and organised...
Community spirit
research
Making the most of it: unitarisation, hyperlocal democratic renewal and community empowerment

This report by IPPR North explores how unitarisation enables democratic renewal...
Local economies
research
A bright green community centre with a sign half concealed by a large tree that reads 'Newington Community Centre'. It is a grey autumn day.
Spaces and services
Community buildings: strong foundations for renewal

Using evidence from Big Local, this report shows how long-term investment...
blog
March 2026
Youth matters: what Big Local taught us about supporting young people

When local authority youth services fell, Big Local communities stepped in...
Community spirit

Explore more

Find Big Local areas across England and hear from the individuals leading change in their communities.

Big Local areas

Find areas involved in Big Local and the arts-based programme Creative Civic Change.

Voices of Big Local

Discover insights and learning from the individuals delivering change in their communities.

Community power podcast

Join us as we discuss what happens when people have the money, power and assets to transform their areas.

Northwood Together has made a big difference, particularly with food poverty. It’s given so much back to the community."
Vicky Williamson
Northwood Together Big Local
Read Vicky's story
Big Local has made surprise leaders out of people like me … [It] has encouraged people to look beyond themselves to their community."
Yvonne Griggs
Birchwood Big Local
Read Yvonne's story
We’re providing people with the resources they need to take their own ideas forward and be changemakers themselves.”
James Masters
Grange Big Local
Read James's story
It’s been wonderful to see how initial investment from Big Local can help projects bloom in all kinds of directions."
Amanda Caldwell
Rastrick Big Local
Read Amanda's story