The Big Local programme ended on 31 March 2026. Information about how the programme worked and how areas spent…
When crisis hits, communities that are already connected, resourced and organised are far better placed to respond. Local Trust researchers Lisa-Marie Giquel and Ruby Brooks share what 15 years of Big Local taught us about building the kind of community capacity that helps people weather whatever comes next.
When local authority youth services fell, Big Local communities stepped in — investing in trusted adults, welcoming spaces and volunteer pathways to ensure young people felt valued in their neighbourhoods.
This blog explores how the Big Local programme embedded inclusive collaboration into its design, placing residents in the driving seat and drawing on diverse perspectives to solve complex problems.