Theory of change: Detailed
A Theory of Change is a representation of an intervention, policy or programme that shows how activities lead to outcomes. They are often created at the beginning of a programme, to guide evaluation frameworks. As the Big Local programme was a new approach in resident-led change and considered experimental, this Theory of Change wasn't created until the programme was almost complete and is based on a systematic review of the qualitative evidence available on this website. You can learn more about how Local Trust's research was conducted, and how this Theory of Change was created, in an article about Local Trust's approach to research.
It is presented as linear as it is a representation of what happened in all 150 areas, over the course of 10-15 years. However, not all areas did everything that is featured in the Theory of Change. The linear lines of activities and outcomes did not happen in neat succession, and many activities and outcomes feed into others. Not all areas completed the programme through the Big Local resident-led decision-making model, but 95% did. The Big Local Theory of Change represents an idealised version of the activities and outcomes involved in Big Local, while the risks capture what hinders this and represent where Big Local activities were less successful. While no model can be complete and correct, this one is intended to be useful in designing future resident-led programmes and summarising the learning from Big Local.
This is the detailed Theory of Change, a summary version is available on another page. You may want to read the summary before this one if you are unfamiliar with Big Local or with Theories of Change. The boxes provide more detail when clicked on, and many include links to relevant articles on this site. While most Theories of Change separate each item, for ease of navigation some boxes contain multiple items. A narrative version of the Theory of Change is also available in an article, for those using screen-readers or who prefer written narratives over visual representations.
Please note the following key terms from the Big Local programme are used throughout the Theory of Change:
What is a Big Local partnership?
A Big Local partnership was a group made up of at least eight people that guided the overall direction of delivery in a Big Local area.
What is a Locally Trusted Organisation?
A locally trusted organisation (LTO) was the organisation chosen by people in a Big Local area or the partnership to administer and account for funding, and/or deliver activities or services on behalf of a partnership. Areas might have worked with more than one locally trusted organisation depending on the plan and the skills and resources required.
Big Local areas were selected on the basis of being disadvantaged compared to other areas in England, and having previously missed out on National Lottery funding. There is high demand and complex need within Big Local and similar area populations, exacerbated further in crises, which cannot be addressed by £1m and voluntary efforts of residents. Systemic issues, such as economic inequality, need to be tackled with investment at scale. The extent to which Big Local tackled systemic issues is explored in an article.
Areas had different histories and starting positions, with some communities having neighbourhood plans while others had communities in active conflict; with some residents starting with experience and confidence e.g. in managing resources, and others not; and with some areas having already been consulted and let down in regeneration or other work locally, resulting in mistrust and fatigue. Areas did better when they had boundaries and a name that all residents could identify with, and some areas changed the original boundaries to better suit their community. The size of the area also impacted the amount of engagement and capacity needed relative to the size of the local population and unmet needs. In 2011, Big Local area population sizes ranged from 1,237 to 17,775, with an average of 7,393.
All areas had shared, but also differing, needs and contexts. Big Local took an asset-based approach (which recognises the existing strengths and resources of communities and people), which meant that while local infrastructure (such as local spaces, voluntary and community organisations, council and health services) varied significantly, all partnerships were encouraged to work with what they already had in the area. This resulted in Big Local partnerships receiving in kind support to varied extents. Each Big Local partnership set and delivered on local priorities, gathered feedback about projects and adapted to that feedback differently. An article explores what Big Local communities prioritised across the programme as a whole, and the area summaries provide information on how each Big Local partnership approached delivery and used the funding for community benefit in their areas.
Big Local began in the wake of ongoing austerity measures, leading to a decrease in local services such as youth and family services. Most notably, throughout Big Local, partnerships and their wider communities were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis. Population changes also impacted some areas, alongside shifts in public discourse around racism. How diversity and inclusion developed varied according to each partnerships' starting position and needs, and is discussed in an article about inclusion in Big Local.
While the programme was resident-led, some external constraints to the resident-led approach could not be removed. This included the deadline for spending all funds by 2026 and legal requirements, for example around employment or health and safety. Residents were supported to navigate this as part of the programme. An article explores how the Big Local values were upheld in practice throughout the programme.
Finally, readers should hold in mind that these activities and outcomes, delivered by volunteers over many years, happened in hyper-local areas. Partnership groups were personally - not just professionally - intertwined, and moments of celebration, disappointment and conflict took place among neighbours. Those accountable for how the Big Local funding was spent were not in an office far away, they were living in the community.
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InputsElements that were ‘put in’ to the Big Local programme
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FoundationsActivities required to enable the delivery of Big Local
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Early activitiesThat were carried out to form the delivery of Big Local
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Building blocksInterim outcomes that helped project activities reach intended outcomes
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Project activities Project activities and outcomesThat were carried out to form the delivery of Big Local
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Project outcomesThe consequences of activities if challenges were overcome
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Long-term outcomesThe consequences of activities if challenges were overcome
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Conditions for long-term impactThe potential long-term outcomes beyond Big Local
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Inputs
Programme design
Big Local values
Inputs
Big Local values
The values of Big Local that Local Trust was guided by, including being patient, non-judgmental and resident-led. You can learn about the values of Big Local, practiced by Local Trust, in an article.
Prioritising resident capacity building
Inputs
Prioritising resident capacity building
Prioritising resident capacity building with a focus on asset based community development, with Local Trust staff responding to the needs and working at the pace of residents. You can learn about the support provided to partnership members in an article.
Long-term flexible funding and non-prescriptive outcomes
Inputs
Long-term flexible funding and non-prescriptive outcomes
Long-term flexible and non-prescriptive funding, with broad intended outcomes. You can learn about the intended outcomes of Big Local on the About page.
Working in hyper-local disadvantaged areas
Inputs
Working in hyper-local disadvantaged areas
Working with disadvantaged hyper-local areas that hadn't previously received National Lottery funding. You can learn about how areas were selected on the About page.
Working directly with residents
Inputs
Working directly with residents
Working directly with residents, providing long-term support and using the Locally Trusted Organisation (LTO) model to distribute funding. You can learn about the LTO model in an article.
Programme guidance and expectations
Inputs
Programme guidance and expectations
Programme guidance and expectations provided to Big Local partnerships and those supporting them, including partnership membership and light-touch reporting requirements. You can learn about the expectations of Big Local partnerships in an example of core programme guidance.
Money
£1m non-competitive funding for 150 areas
Inputs
£1m non-competitive funding for 150 areas
£1m non-competitive core funding for each area, provided directly to Big Local partnerships through the Locally Trusted Organisation (LTO) model. You can learn about the LTO model in an article.
Additional funding for community engagement
Inputs
Additional funding for community engagement
Additional 'getting started' fund allocated specifically for community engagement in each area, early in the programme. You can learn about the costs of Big Local in an article.
Additional funding for specialist training
Inputs
Additional funding for specialist training
Additional funding provided for training and specialist support for Big Local partnership members. You can learn about the support provided to residents in the Big Local programme in an article.
Additional £150k funding for 150 areas
Inputs
Additional £150k funding for 150 areas
An additional £150k for each area, distributing the interest gained from the endowment investment. You can learn about how the Big Local endowment was managed in an article.
Local Trust support offer
In-area support
Inputs
In-area support
In-area support, including reps/advisors that acted as a day-to-day critical friend to Big Local partnerships and area co-ordinators that focused on assessing needs and co-ordinating support offers. You can learn about how in-area support was provided and changed over time in an article.
Learning and networking opportunities
Inputs
Learning and networking opportunities
Opportunities for learning and networking among Big Local partnership members, through events and activities organised by Local Trust. You can learn about the importance of networks and networking in Big Local in an article.
Specialist support
Inputs
Specialist support
Specialist support offers tailored to the needs of different Big Local partnerships, provided by external specialist organisations and commissioned by Local Trust. You can learn about the support provided to Big Local partnerships in an article.
Supportive process for accessing funding
Inputs
Supportive process for accessing funding
A supportive, resident-led and light touch process for making plans and drawing down funds. Plan reviews helped residents to learn over time, but evidence of outcomes was not required to draw down funds. Funding was granted based on Local Trust's assessment of plans. You can learn about Big Local plans in an example of core programme guidance.
Wider Local Trust team
Inputs
Wider Local Trust team
Alongside support to deliver the programme and resolve issues, ad-hoc specialist support from the wider Local Trust team, such as communications and evaluation.
Community leadership academy
Inputs
Community leadership academy
A Community Leadership Academy, providing targeted training and development support for Big Local partnership members. You can learn about how community leadership was developed in Big Local in an article.
Locally Trusted Organisation
Accounting, administering and reporting
Inputs
Accounting, administering and reporting
A Locally Trusted Organisation in each area acting as 'banker', accounting, administering funds from Local Trust for the Big Local partnerships to use, and reporting to both Local Trust and residents. You can learn about the Locally Trusted Organisation model in an article.
Specialist support and resource
Inputs
Specialist support and resource
A Locally Trusted Organisation in each area providing specialist support, local knowledge and networks, staff time and physical space to the Big Local partnerships. You can learn about the effectiveness of the Locally Trusted Organisation model in an article.
Management structures
Inputs
Management structures
A Locally Trusted Organisation in each area providing management structures for employing paid staff on behalf of the Big Local partnerships. You can learn about the role of paid workers in Big Local in an article.
Legal, regulatory and financial responsibility
Inputs
Legal, regulatory and financial responsibility
A Locally Trusted Organisation in each area holding legal, regulatory and financial obligations, such as insurance. You can learn about the Locally Trusted Organisation model in an article.
Residents
Big Local areas
Inputs
Big Local areas
150 hyper-local communities, selected to be the Big Local areas. You can learn about how areas were selected on the About page.
Resident needs and demographics
Inputs
Resident needs and demographics
The needs and demographics of residents within the Big Local areas. You can learn about the needs identified in Big Local areas by Local Trust's policy team in a report.
Resident views and priorities
Inputs
Resident views and priorities
The views, local knowledge and priorities of residents within the Big Local areas. You can learn about what residents in Big Local areas prioritised in an article.
Local data
Inputs
Local data
Available data about the needs and demographics within Big Local areas. You can learn about the bespoke dataset created for the Big Local programme in an article about Local Trust's approach to research.
Resident time, skills and interests
Inputs
Resident time, skills and interests
The time, skills and interests of residents in Big Local areas.
Big Local Partnership
Engaging the wider community
Inputs
Engaging the wider community
The time and willingness of Big Local partnerships to engage the wider community to shape priorities and plans for how to use the Big Local funding. You can learn about early community engagement in Big Local in a report.
Building relationships and understanding
Inputs
Building relationships and understanding
The time and willingness of Big Local partnerships to build local relationships and develop their understanding of local need. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships were supported to develop their networks in an article.
Making decisions and planning
Inputs
Making decisions and planning
The time and willingness of Big Local partnerships to prioritise, make decisions and plan how to use the Big Local funding to benefit the wider community. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships were supported to make collective decisions in an article.
Supporting the wider community to participate
Inputs
Supporting the wider community to participate
The time and willingness of Big Local partnerships to support residents in the wider community to volunteer, apply for small grants and deliver projects, events and activities in their area. You can learn about how the wider community was engaged in Big Local through volunteering and small grants in articles.
Building a resident leadership group
Inputs
Building a resident leadership group
The time and willingness of Big Local partnerships to build a resident leadership group that worked as a team. You can learn about how residents came together to make decisions in an article.
Local infrastructure
Physical spaces
Inputs
Physical spaces
Physical spaces within Big Local areas where delivery of projects, community engagement and meetings can take place. You can learn about the importance of physical assets and spaces in Big Local in an article.
Public agencies and services
Inputs
Public agencies and services
Public agencies and wider public services within Big Local areas, such as local councils, health services and housing associations. You can learn about the importance of networks in Big Local in an article.
Local businesses, organisations and groups
Inputs
Local businesses, organisations and groups
Local businesses, voluntary and community sector organisations and grassroots groups within Big Local areas.
Interest and support from stakeholders
Inputs
Interest and support from stakeholders
The interest and ability of local stakeholders to support and offer resources to Big Local partnerships. You can learn about what enabled good relationships between Big Local partnerships and local government in an article.
In kind support and resources
Inputs
In kind support and resources
The (highly varied) amounts of in kind support from local stakeholders and organisations, including financial donations, (the use of) physical spaces, and time and expertise of staff and volunteers. You can learn about the additional resources used by Big Local partnerships early in the programme in a report.
Wider VCS organisations
Specialist national organisations
Inputs
Specialist national organisations
Specialist national organisations and potential collaborators.
National funding bodies
Inputs
National funding bodies
National funding bodies and potential funders for additional work or continuing beyond the Big Local programme.
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Foundations
Big Local partnerships formed
Foundations
Big Local partnerships formed
A group of residents form a decision-making group in each area, which is sustained and/or re-formed over time. These were known as Big Local partnerships and had to have at least 8 members, with a majority being residents within the Big Local area. You can learn about the expectations for these groups in an example of core programme guidance.
Resident-led decision-making approach not sustained
Foundations
Resident-led decision-making approach not sustained
The resident-led approach - with a decision-making group made up of at least eight members with a majority as residents - cannot be sustained due to interpersonal conflict, conflicts of interest, or a lack of volunteers or capacity, including due to people leaving the area. You can learn about the alternative delivery approach taken in seven Big Local areas towards the end of the programme in an article.
Residents experience stress
Foundations
Residents experience stress
Big Local partnership members experience stress, causing burnout for resident leaders who are foundational for the delivery of Big Local. You can learn about how decision-making impacted Big Local partnership members' health in an article.
Support and long-term timeframe
Foundations
Support and long-term timeframe
Support provided and the long-term timeframe allows for re-development and recovery from disruption. An alternative approach can be used as a last resort, if all other options are exhausted. You can learn about how Local Trust approached using an alternative delivery model in Big Local in an article.
Capacity developed over time
Foundations
Capacity developed over time
Residents strengthen their capacity and develop skills in setting boundaries, collaborating and delegating. Individual volunteers can step their commitment to the Big Local partnership up or down over time, and design their own governance structure e.g. sub-groups. You can learn about how Big Local partnership members built their skills over time in an article.
Big Local partnerships create decision-making model
Foundations
Big Local partnerships create decision-making model
Big Local partnerships create and develop their decision-making models. You can learn about how residents made decisions in Big Local in an article.
Power is unfairly distributed
Foundations
Power is unfairly distributed
Decision-making can replicate existing power structures and unevenly distribute the benefits and challenges of being involved in the Big Local partnership. You can learn about how Big Local supported resident-led decision-making in an article.
Guidance, support and clear expectations
Foundations
Guidance, support and clear expectations
Local Trust offers guidance, support and clear expectations about equality and inclusion. You can learn about inclusion in Big Local in an article.
Big Local partnerships select Locally Trusted Organisation
Foundations
Big Local partnerships select Locally Trusted Organisation
Big Local partnerships select, and keep or change over time, their Locally Trusted Organisation (LTO). Occasionally, Big Local partnerships form a legal entity and become their own LTO. You can learn about the LTO model in an article.
Local resources are limited
Foundations
Local resources are limited
The availability of organisations to be a Locally Trusted Organisation (LTO) is limited, the resources or capacity available within the LTO don't meet residents' needs, and payments to LTOs being tied to Big Local partnership activity. You can learn about how effective the LTO model was in an article.
Support for Locally Trusted Organisations
Foundations
Support for Locally Trusted Organisations
Local Trust offers support and guidance for Locally Trusted Organisations, including providing additional funds for additional support work. You can learn about the LTO model in an article.
Big Local partnerships consult wider community
Foundations
Big Local partnerships consult wider community
Big Local partnerships consult the wider community about their needs and priorities, to inform the first Big Local plans. You can learn about Big Local plans in example core programme guidance.
Low community engagement
Foundations
Low community engagement
There is low engagement from, or with, the wider community.
Dedicated time and resource
Foundations
Dedicated time and resource
Dedicating time and resource to (targeted) outreach, often utilising the time of paid workers and sometimes allocating funds to external experts. You can learn about the role of paid workers in Big Local in an article.
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Early activities
Big Local partnerships create, evaluate and revise plans
Early activities
Big Local partnerships create, evaluate and revise plans
Big Local partnerships create, evaluate and revise their plans, learning and improving over time. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships built their capacity over time in an article.
Demonstrating achievements and reflecting
Early activities
Demonstrating achievements and reflecting
Light-touch reporting requirements make it hard to demonstrate achievements to the community or other funders, and misses the opportunity to embed learning. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships approached evaluation in an article.
Specialist evaluation support
Early activities
Specialist evaluation support
Big Local partnerships (are encouraged to) take up support offered by Local Trust or fund their own evaluations with specialists. You can learn about how in-area evaluation was approached in Big Local in an article.
Big Local partnerships make decisions
Early activities
Big Local partnerships make decisions
Big Local partnerships make decisions on how to use Big Local funding to benefit the wider community. You can learn about how residents chose to use their funding in an article.
Conflict, low confidence and communication barriers
Early activities
Conflict, low confidence and communication barriers
Conflict, low confidence around spending and communication barriers between the residents, Local Trust and Locally Trusted Organisation can cause delays, and disengagement. You can learn about conflict in Big Local in an article.
Support and long-term timeframe
Early activities
Support and long-term timeframe
Conflict is worked through and confidence built over time, with support. You can learn about how conflict was managed in Big Local in an article.
Big Local partnerships access physical spaces
Early activities
Big Local partnerships access physical spaces
Spaces are accessed, or created, for meetings and delivering projects through renting or being gifted, and later in the programme through buying or building new spaces. You can learn about how assets and spaces were brought into community control in Big Local in an article.
Low availability of local assets and spaces
Early activities
Low availability of local assets and spaces
Low availability of local assets and spaces, creating significant barriers early in the programme before residents have had time to develop new spaces. You can learn about the importance of assets and spaces in Big Local in an article.
Availability of local assets and spaces
Early activities
Availability of local assets and spaces
Availability of local assets and spaces, including from the Locally Trusted Organisation, for residents to access and/or improve over time. You can learn about how to enable community control over assets in a resident-led programme in learning from Big Local guidance.
Big Local partnerships access training and support
Early activities
Big Local partnerships access training and support
Big Local partnerships access training and support from Local Trust. You can learn about the support needs of Big Local partnerships in an article.
Support needs vary significantly
Early activities
Support needs vary significantly
The support needs of Big Local partnerships, and the capacity to provide support in each area, vary significantly between areas and over time. You can learn more about how support was provided in Big Local in an article.
Funder awareness of support needs
Early activities
Funder awareness of support needs
Local Trust being aware of support needs in each area, providing flexible support and encouraging participation. You can learn about how Local Trust staff improved their understanding of support needs over time in an article.
Big Local partnerships build working relationships
Early activities
Big Local partnerships build working relationships
Big Local partnerships build new, or strengthen established, relationships with local voluntary and community sector organisations, the local council/s, health services and wider stakeholders. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships built their networks in Big Local in an article.
Resident leadership not supported locally
Early activities
Resident leadership not supported locally
The resident leadership model is not understood or valued and supported by local stakeholders, including residents, local authorities and occasionally including Locally Trusted Organisations.
Dedicated resource, building reputation
Early activities
Dedicated resource, building reputation
Paid staff explaining and supporting resident leadership with stakeholders and the community; having a shared vision, values and purpose between Big Local partnerships and collaborators; the impact of Big Local projects, particularly crisis response, building the perceived value of Big Local; purposeful involvement (or not) of stakeholders in Big Local partnership meetings. You can learn about what enabled positive relationships between Big Local partnerships and local government in an article.
Big Local partnerships continue engaging wider community
Early activities
Big Local partnerships continue engaging wider community
Big Local partnerships continually engage the wider community to shape plans using a range of approaches. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships engaged the wider community in an article.
Big Local partnerships promote their work
Early activities
Big Local partnerships promote their work
Big Local partnerships promote their work to residents in the wider community and build engagement through the delivery of projects. For example, Marsh and Micklefield Big Local created a community newspaper.
Big Local partnerships respond to guidance and reflect
Early activities
Big Local partnerships respond to guidance and reflect
Big Local partnerships respond to guidance provided by Local Trust and reflect on the inclusiveness of their plan and decision-making processes over time. You can learn about how inclusive Big Local was in an article.
Decisions based on assumptions
Early activities
Decisions based on assumptions
The decisions made by Big Local partnerships without enough wider engagement is based on assumptions, and there is varied understanding, interest and confidence in addressing equality and inclusion among resident leaders and support staff.
Building trust and engaging with support
Early activities
Building trust and engaging with support
Building trust in the community through visible change, 'quick wins' and projects that residents prioritised; working with local organisations to identify needs and reach residents; specialist support with clear expectations, encouragement to reflect and time for Big Local partnerships to develop.
Projects are delivered to meet local needs
Early activities
Projects are delivered to meet local needs
Big Local partnerships deliver projects to meet local needs, often through collaborations and allocating funds to other groups and organisations. You can learn about how residents spent their Big Local funding in an article.
Paid workers are employed
Early activities
Paid workers are employed
Big Local partnerships employ paid workers, usually through their Locally Trusted Organisation, to engage the wider community and local stakeholders, manage volunteers and co-ordinate projects. You can learn about the role of paid workers in Big Local in an article.
Low availability of resource and misalignment
Early activities
Low availability of resource and misalignment
Low availability of local resources, relevant skills and capacity, or a lack of shared direction between the Big Local partnership, paid workers and their Locally Trusted Organisation.
Skills, knowledge and time
Early activities
Skills, knowledge and time
The skills and existing local relationships or knowledge of Big Local partnership members, Locally Trusted Organisations, paid workers and support staff; time to learn the local landscape, find specialists and build, re-build and maintain relationships.
Knowledge and resources shared locally
Early activities
Knowledge and resources shared locally
Big Local partnerships share knowledge and resources with collaborators, and vice versa. You can learn about the importance of networks in Big Local in an article.
Local powerholders hindering progress
Early activities
Local powerholders hindering progress
Big Local partnerships' ability to get things done can be hindered by local powerholders. For example due to bureaucracy, the complexity of systems or disinterest and lack of support.
Positive relationships with local powerholders
Early activities
Positive relationships with local powerholders
Supportive local authorities and wider organisations, providing advice and time to resident leaders; clear roles and responsibilities; champions on both sides giving their time to administer, monitor and negotiate projects. You can learn about what enabled successful relationships between Big Local partnerships and local authorities in an article.
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Building blocks
Big Local partnership members
Building blocks
Big Local partnership members
4900 (approx.) residents participating in Big Local partnerships across the whole Big Local programme.
Residents feel heard
Building blocks
Residents feel heard
Residents in Big Local areas feel listened to and build trust in the Big Local partnerships to meet their needs. For example, Aberfeldy Big Local partnership built trust with their community, overcoming distrust from previous regeneration work and leading to improvements in the local environment.
Big Local grants drawn down
Building blocks
Big Local grants drawn down
1524 grants drawn down by Big Local partnerships from Local Trust across the whole programme, ranging from £35 to £781,126 per grant. You can learn about what residents chose to spend their funding on in an article.
Big Local partnerships build skills and confidence
Building blocks
Big Local partnerships build skills and confidence
Big Local partnerships build skills and confidence to understand and respond to local need. For example, the Shadsworth with Whitebirk Big Local partnership grew in confidence over time, particularly through responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, shaping and re-shaping their approach to supporting and working with others.
Big Local partnership reviews
Building blocks
Big Local partnership reviews
1275 Big Local partnership reviews conducted across the whole programme, to check in on alignment to programme criteria (to be resident-led and reflective of local demographics). You can learn about expectations of Big Local partnerships in example core programme guidance.
Big Local projects are delivered
Building blocks
Big Local projects are delivered
Big Local plans and projects are delivered and refined over time. For example, the Canvey Island Big Local partnership refined their plans for a local asset over time through ongoing community consultation, while also developing their ways of working.
Evaluation outputs
Building blocks
Evaluation outputs
43 evaluation outputs created, funded by Local Trust or Big Local partnerships. You can learn about in-area evaluation in Big Local in an article.
Big Local partnerships develop as a working group
Building blocks
Big Local partnerships develop as a working group
Big Local partnerships develop their working relationships as a group over time, including working through conflict. For example, in Somers Town Big Local the partnership worked through challenges over several years before increasing their delivery activity following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Big Local partnerships reflective of local diversity
Building blocks
Big Local partnerships reflective of local diversity
Of 150 Big Local partnerships, 94 reflected the ethnic diversity of the wider community, while 100 had a higher proportion of residents aged 65 or older and 82 had a higher proportion of female residents compared to the wider community (in 2019, mid-way through Big Local). You can learn about how inclusive Big Local was in an article.
Big Local partnerships become more inclusive
Building blocks
Big Local partnerships become more inclusive
Big Local partnerships become more inclusive over time. For example, Whitleigh Big Local partnership ran meetings at different times and put welcome packs, inductions and training together to help new partnership members get involved.
All funding spent through Big Local model
Building blocks
All funding spent through Big Local model
143 Big Local areas spent the full £1m through the Big Local resident-led decision-making model. You can learn about the alternative approach taken in the other seven areas in an article.
Big Local partnerships become part of local infrastructure
Building blocks
Big Local partnerships become part of local infrastructure
Big Local partnerships become part of their local voluntary and community sector and wider local services. For example, Dover Big Local set up a hub to provide wellbeing and employment support, supported the set up of Dover Pantry and engaged local agencies in improving the economy through work with small businesses and tourism.
Paid workers employed through Big Local
Building blocks
Paid workers employed through Big Local
265 paid workers employed by Locally Trusted Organisations on behalf of Big Local partnerships (in 2021, mid-way through Big Local). You can learn about the role of paid workers in Big Local in an article.
Funding utility maximised through collaboration
Building blocks
Funding utility maximised through collaboration
Local resources and the £1m Big Local funding utility is maximised through in kind support and collaboration. For example, CELL Big Local brought in £2m of additional funding to support local projects.
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Project activities Project activities and outcomes
Major asset projects
Project activities
Major asset projects
Major asset projects to create or improve local community hubs and/or green and recreational spaces. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships increased community control over physical assets and spaces in an article.
Smaller asset projects
Project activities
Smaller asset projects
Smaller asset projects focused on making visible physical improvements in the area, for example public arts, planting trees or organising litter-picking. You can learn about arts projects delivered with Big Local funding in an article.
Activities delivered in community hubs
Project activities
Activities delivered in community hubs
New activities and key services delivered locally in new or improved community hubs. You can learn about what residents used community hubs for in an article.
Costs, delays and stakeholder tensions
Project activities
Costs, delays and stakeholder tensions
Rising construction or running costs, bureaucratic delays and tensions between multiple stakeholders involved in major asset projects. You can learn about how to enable communities to take control of local assets in Learning from Big Local guidance.
Loss of community support
Project activities
Loss of community support
Loss of community support for major asset projects due to delays or other unforeseen problems.
Good relationships, time, specialist knowledge
Project activities
Good relationships, time, specialist knowledge
Good relationship between resident leaders and the local authority; time to negotiate and adapt plans; knowledge of community rights to asset transfers and specialist support. You can learn about how to enable communities to take control of local assets in Learning from Big Local guidance.
Managing expectations and flexibility to adapt
Project activities
Managing expectations and flexibility to adapt
Maintaining trust and managing expectations through communication with the wider community, and the flexible long-term funding allowing Big Local partnerships to adapt plans. For example, the St Peter's and the Moors Big Local partnership were open about delays and provided updates to the wider community.
Assets created or improved
Project outcomes
Assets created or improved
200 assets created or improved across the Big Local programme. You can learn about the importance of assets and spaces in Big Local in an article. Bourne supported the development and long-term future of a purpose-built community hub, and Kirkholt created an award-winning green space. You can learn about Bourne Big Local and Kirkholt Big Local by visiting the area summary pages.
Big Local partnership members gain confidence and skills
Project outcomes
Big Local partnership members gain confidence and skills
Big Local partnership members gain confidence and skills in acquiring and running community spaces. For example, the Mossley Big Local partnership developed their capacity over time by establishing and running their community hub.
Visible physical improvements
Project outcomes
Visible physical improvements
There are visible physical improvements in the area, for example benches to sit on, public art, trees and reduced litter. For example, the Growing Together Big Local partnership supported many projects to improve local green spaces.
Increased community access to affordable spaces for hire
Project outcomes
Increased community access to affordable spaces for hire
There are increased spaces for affordable hire by local groups to run activities and events. For example, Rastrick Big Local supported the local library and cricket club as well as a community hub.
Increased community access to green space and hubs
Project outcomes
Increased community access to green space and hubs
There are more green spaces and community hubs available to residents. For example, the Fishwick and St Matthews Big Local partnership improved local green spaces and supported a local community hub.
Projects to meet basic needs
Project activities
Projects to meet basic needs
Projects to meet basic needs, such as food provision, energy saving and financial advice, and providing household essentials at low or no cost. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships responded to the cost of living crisis in an article.
Projects to address wider needs
Project activities
Projects to address wider needs
Projects to address wider needs, often health focused (such as physical activity, education and counselling activities) and employment focused (such as support to develop skills, gain qualifications and look for employment). You can learn about Big Local health projects and local economy projects in articles.
Responding to crisis
Project activities
Responding to crisis
Responding to crisis by re-purposing resources, co-ordinating local response and providing direct support to residents, such as food parcels. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships responded to the Covid-19 pandemic in an article.
Lack of engagement or demand too great
Project activities
Lack of engagement or demand too great
Lack of engagement and stigma; services can't meet demand; some issues, such as housing, are too complex to address through Big Local; people come to rely on support that is discontinued after Big Local. You can learn about the extent to which Big Local tackled systemic issues in an article.
Crises interrupting projects
Project activities
Crises interrupting projects
Crises can interrupt delivery and weaken other projects.
Collaborating with others and adapting
Project activities
Collaborating with others and adapting
Delivering services where people already are and not having conditions for accessing support; adapting to feedback; networks and strong relationships with other local actors; accessing or funding additional resources such as transport or physical spaces. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships worked with local health agencies in an article.
Strong networks and trust
Project activities
Strong networks and trust
Developing a strong reputation and network, including building trust with residents. Crises can also act as an enabler to strengthen collaborative relationships and bring in funding, and short-term volunteers. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic in an article.
Residents supported
Project outcomes
Residents supported
200 residents per week in WestRaven were supported through a community fridge and 50 residents secured employment in Wargrave through the Big Local Job Club. You can learn about WestRaven Big Local and Wargrave Big Local by visiting the area summary pages.
Residents essential needs are better met
Project outcomes
Residents essential needs are better met
Residents' essential needs are better met, with financial savings and better access to food, toiletries, clothing and household necessities. For example, in Northwood Together Big Local a food project expanded to provide debt advice and clothing as well as meals.
Residents have increased awareness and access to support
Project outcomes
Residents have increased awareness and access to support
Residents have improved knowledge of and access to support to better meet their wellbeing-related needs. For example, Kingsbrook and Cauldwell's community health champion improved resident access to local health and wellbeing services through the local GP practice.
More skills and employment support for residents
Project outcomes
More skills and employment support for residents
Residents have more opportunities to develop skills, gain qualifications and access employment support. For example, Gaunless Gateway Big Local enabled support provision for skill development and accessing employment.
Big Local partnerships and others continue through crisis
Project outcomes
Big Local partnerships and others continue through crisis
Re-purposed resource enables Big Local partnerships and other local organisations to continue delivering their activities throughout, and beyond, the immediate crisis. For example, Whitley Big Local provided a community response to the Covid-19 pandemic through a surplus food project, which continued in the years that followed.
Projects to connect residents
Project activities
Projects to connect residents
Projects to connect and engage the community, with a range of activities and events organised, and grants given to local organisations. You can learn about the activities Big Local partnerships supported and organised to bring the community together in an article.
Volunteering opportunities
Project activities
Volunteering opportunities
Volunteering opportunities created for residents, who can support events, activities and services. You can learn about how the wider community supported Big Local through volunteering in an article.
Targeted outreach
Project activities
Targeted outreach
Targeted outreach to engage specific groups of residents in services, decisions or volunteering, especially young people. You can learn about how young people were engaged in Big Local in an article.
Training volunteers and staff
Project activities
Training volunteers and staff
Allocating funds and organising training and support for volunteers, and paid staff, to deliver support to residents. For example, in Hackney Wick Big Local volunteers were trained to support residents with end-of-life discussions.
Low engagement and lack of diversity
Project activities
Low engagement and lack of diversity
Low attendance at events and activities; lack of diversity in or low numbers of volunteers.
Range of offers, based on resident views and needs
Project activities
Range of offers, based on resident views and needs
Free and low-cost events and activities based on resident views, including targeted groups; a range of volunteering opportunities (in terms of task and time) with targeted and person-centred support. You can learn about how volunteers were supported in Big Local in an article.
Residents engaged
Project outcomes
Residents engaged
Over 1000 residents in Noel Park attended the Big Local Summer Festival in 2024 and 50 volunteers in Woodlands Speaks were trained and supported to run Woodlands Library. You can learn about Noel Park Big Local and Woodlands Speaks Big Local by visiting the area summary pages.
Residents come together and engage in activities
Project outcomes
Residents come together and engage in activities
Residents have more opportunities to come together and engage in activities. For example, World's End Big Local gradually brought the community together through the hub and targeted activities.
Residents support events and feed into decisions
Project outcomes
Residents support events and feed into decisions
Residents have more opportunities to volunteer to support local events and activities, and feed into decisions. For example, Thurcroft Big Local developed a culture of volunteering in the area, with a calendar of events supported by local volunteers.
Increase in volunteering, building skills and connections
Project outcomes
Increase in volunteering, building skills and connections
There is an increase in volunteering, which enables projects to happen and residents to gain skills, confidence, connections and a sense of purpose. For example, residents in Church Hill Big Local supported events, including celebrating the Queen's Jubilee, and improvements to local green spaces.
Residents develop capacity to deliver events and projects
Project outcomes
Residents develop capacity to deliver events and projects
Volunteers and Big Local partnerships develop their capacity to deliver events, support (other) volunteers and engage specific groups of residents effectively. For example, volunteers in North West Ipswich Big Local learned how to run a community space, engage residents, and fundraise.
Grants and support for local businesses and residents
Project activities
Grants and support for local businesses and residents
Grants and support provided to local businesses, entrepreneurs and residents with new ideas. You can learn about small grants schemes in Big Local in an article.
New groups created
Project activities
New groups created
New groups created to manage projects and spaces, including constituted and incorporated groups, paid staff and 'friends of' volunteering groups. You can learn about how to support residents to take the lead in a resident-led programme in Learning from Big Local guidance.
Complicated grants processes
Project activities
Complicated grants processes
Unclear or complicated processes for accessing and accounting for funding can be off-putting to potential grantees.
Simple applications, support and encouragement
Project activities
Simple applications, support and encouragement
Simple applications with encouragement and support to apply from Big Local partnerships or paid workers; minimal reporting requirements; participatory approaches to involve the community in allocating small grants and develop awareness of them. You can learn about small grant schemes in Big Local in an article.
Small grants awarded
Project outcomes
Small grants awarded
Ewanrigg awarded over £132k in small grants to 72 projects and Wargrave awarded 64 grants totalling £142k. You can learn about Ewanrigg Big Local and Wargrave Big Local by visiting their area summary pages.
More opportunities to start new or expand local projects
Project outcomes
More opportunities to start new or expand local projects
Residents and local organisations have more opportunities to start new or expand projects. For example, 3 Together Big Local supported groups and projects that improved local transport and provided health and wellbeing activities.
Residents trial projects and develop skills
Project outcomes
Residents trial projects and develop skills
Residents trial projects and develop their confidence and skills to continue delivering them without Big Local support. For example, in North Cleethorpes Big Local a resident was supported to develop a project to help people with addiction.
New groups and businesses are established
Project outcomes
New groups and businesses are established
New groups and businesses are established, providing new services and activities in the area. For example, North East Hastings Big Local partnership supported residents to set up their own charity providing support services for children with special education needs.
Advocating for community voice
Project activities
Advocating for community voice
Advocating or supporting local groups to advocate for community voice to local powerholders, negotiating directly or engaging in formal consultation frameworks. You can learn about experiences of regeneration in Big Local in a report.
Convening networks to collaborate
Project activities
Convening networks to collaborate
Convening networks to make collective decisions, and deliver or fundraise collaboratively. You can learn about how Big Local partnerships built their networks in Big Local in an article.
Redevelopment projects don't align with resident wishes
Project activities
Redevelopment projects don't align with resident wishes
Redevelopment projects go ahead that negatively impact residents and/or Big Local projects and plans.
Community leadership, supportive powerholders and networking
Project activities
Community leadership, supportive powerholders and networking
Community leadership and negotiation skills among residents; powerholders being open to or having an interest in resident voice shaping local plans; opportunities for organisations to connect at events as well as formal meetings; additional resource from Local Trust to support networking efforts.
Collaborating and empowering residents
Project outcomes
Collaborating and empowering residents
80 residents were actively involved in bringing community voice to a major regeneration project in PEACH and in SW11 the Big Local partnership brought together over 55 local organisations and stakeholders to identify local issues, with 6 collaborating long-term. You can learn about PEACH Big Local and SW11 Big Local by visiting the area summary pages.
Resident voice is better represented to powerholders
Project outcomes
Resident voice is better represented to powerholders
Resident voices are better represented and valued in local services provision and development. For example, SO18 Big Local partnership worked to give residents a voice, empowering them to be part of local regeneration.
Agencies, organisations and residents collaborate
Project outcomes
Agencies, organisations and residents collaborate
Agencies, organisations and residents collaborate to maximise the impact of their combined resources. For example, Scotlands and Bushbury Hill developed the WV10 Consortium, placing local, resident-led organisations at the forefront of decision-making, and enabling local agencies to pool resources.
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Project outcomes
Assets created or improved
Project outcomes
Assets created or improved
200 assets created or improved across the Big Local programme. You can learn about the importance of assets and spaces in Big Local in an article. Bourne supported the development and long-term future of a purpose-built community hub, and Kirkholt created an award-winning green space. You can learn about Bourne Big Local and Kirkholt Big Local by visiting the area summary pages.
Big Local partnership members gain confidence and skills
Project outcomes
Big Local partnership members gain confidence and skills
Big Local partnership members gain confidence and skills in acquiring and running community spaces. For example, the Mossley Big Local partnership developed their capacity over time by establishing and running their community hub.
Visible physical improvements
Project outcomes
Visible physical improvements
There are visible physical improvements in the area, for example benches to sit on, public art, trees and reduced litter. For example, the Growing Together Big Local partnership supported many projects to improve local green spaces.
Increased community access to affordable spaces for hire
Project outcomes
Increased community access to affordable spaces for hire
There are increased spaces for affordable hire by local groups to run activities and events. For example, Rastrick Big Local supported the local library and cricket club as well as a community hub.
Increased community access to green space and hubs
Project outcomes
Increased community access to green space and hubs
There are more green spaces and community hubs available to residents. For example, the Fishwick and St Matthews Big Local partnership improved local green spaces and supported a local community hub.
Residents supported
Project outcomes
Residents supported
200 residents per week in WestRaven were supported through a community fridge and 50 residents secured employment in Wargrave through the Big Local Job Club. You can learn about WestRaven Big Local and Wargrave Big Local by visiting the area summary pages.
Residents essential needs are better met
Project outcomes
Residents essential needs are better met
Residents' essential needs are better met, with financial savings and better access to food, toiletries, clothing and household necessities. For example, in Northwood Together Big Local a food project expanded to provide debt advice and clothing as well as meals.
Residents have increased awareness and access to support
Project outcomes
Residents have increased awareness and access to support
Residents have improved knowledge of and access to support to better meet their wellbeing-related needs. For example, Kingsbrook and Cauldwell's community health champion improved resident access to local health and wellbeing services through the local GP practice.
More skills and employment support for residents
Project outcomes
More skills and employment support for residents
Residents have more opportunities to develop skills, gain qualifications and access employment support. For example, Gaunless Gateway Big Local enabled support provision for skill development and accessing employment.
Big Local partnerships and others continue through crisis
Project outcomes
Big Local partnerships and others continue through crisis
Re-purposed resource enables Big Local partnerships and other local organisations to continue delivering their activities throughout, and beyond, the immediate crisis. For example, Whitley Big Local provided a community response to the Covid-19 pandemic through a surplus food project, which continued in the years that followed.
Residents engaged
Project outcomes
Residents engaged
Over 1000 residents in Noel Park attended the Big Local Summer Festival in 2024 and 50 volunteers in Woodlands Speaks were trained and supported to run Woodlands Library. You can learn about Noel Park Big Local and Woodlands Speaks Big Local by visiting the area summary pages.
Residents come together and engage in activities
Project outcomes
Residents come together and engage in activities
Residents have more opportunities to come together and engage in activities. For example, World's End Big Local gradually brought the community together through the hub and targeted activities.
Residents support events and feed into decisions
Project outcomes
Residents support events and feed into decisions
Residents have more opportunities to volunteer to support local events and activities, and feed into decisions. For example, Thurcroft Big Local developed a culture of volunteering in the area, with a calendar of events supported by local volunteers.
Increase in volunteering, building skills and connections
Project outcomes
Increase in volunteering, building skills and connections
There is an increase in volunteering, which enables projects to happen and residents to gain skills, confidence, connections and a sense of purpose. For example, residents in Church Hill Big Local supported events, including celebrating the Queen's Jubilee, and improvements to local green spaces.
Residents develop capacity to deliver events and projects
Project outcomes
Residents develop capacity to deliver events and projects
Volunteers and Big Local partnerships develop their capacity to deliver events, support (other) volunteers and engage specific groups of residents effectively. For example, volunteers in North West Ipswich Big Local learned how to run a community space, engage residents, and fundraise.
Small grants awarded
Project outcomes
Small grants awarded
Ewanrigg awarded over £132k in small grants to 72 projects and Wargrave awarded 64 grants totalling £142k. You can learn about Ewanrigg Big Local and Wargrave Big Local by visiting their area summary pages.
More opportunities to start new or expand local projects
Project outcomes
More opportunities to start new or expand local projects
Residents and local organisations have more opportunities to start new or expand projects. For example, 3 Together Big Local supported groups and projects that improved local transport and provided health and wellbeing activities.
Residents trial projects and develop skills
Project outcomes
Residents trial projects and develop skills
Residents trial projects and develop their confidence and skills to continue delivering them without Big Local support. For example, in North Cleethorpes Big Local a resident was supported to develop a project to help people with addiction.
New groups and businesses are established
Project outcomes
New groups and businesses are established
New groups and businesses are established, providing new services and activities in the area. For example, North East Hastings Big Local partnership supported residents to set up their own charity providing support services for children with special education needs.
Collaborating and empowering residents
Project outcomes
Collaborating and empowering residents
80 residents were actively involved in bringing community voice to a major regeneration project in PEACH and in SW11 the Big Local partnership brought together over 55 local organisations and stakeholders to identify local issues, with 6 collaborating long-term. You can learn about PEACH Big Local and SW11 Big Local by visiting the area summary pages.
Resident voice is better represented to powerholders
Project outcomes
Resident voice is better represented to powerholders
Resident voices are better represented and valued in local services provision and development. For example, SO18 Big Local partnership worked to give residents a voice, empowering them to be part of local regeneration.
Agencies, organisations and residents collaborate
Project outcomes
Agencies, organisations and residents collaborate
Agencies, organisations and residents collaborate to maximise the impact of their combined resources. For example, Scotlands and Bushbury Hill developed the WV10 Consortium, placing local, resident-led organisations at the forefront of decision-making, and enabling local agencies to pool resources.
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Long-term outcomes
Increased visibility and trust in Big Local
Long-term outcomes
Increased visibility and trust in Big Local
Increased visibility, credibility and trust in Big Local among residents. For example, Cars Area Together Big Local consistently made their community champions and volunteers visible and delivered services and activities locally.
Increased engagement with local spaces
Long-term outcomes
Increased engagement with local spaces
Increased resident engagement with community spaces. For example, Tonge with the Haulgh Big Local supported a range of community spaces and groups to increase resident engagement.
Residents are more connected
Long-term outcomes
Residents are more connected
Residents are more socially connected to each other. For example, in Welsh House Farm Big Local new groups set up in the community encouraged social connection, while the knit and natter group in Rudheath and Witton Big Local supported residents to build new friendships.
Increased sense of local pride and belonging
Long-term outcomes
Increased sense of local pride and belonging
Increased sense of pride, connection, ownership, community spirit and belonging among residents. For example, Arches Big Local increased community pride through murals, improving open spaces and connecting residents to the heritage of the area.
Increased sense of safety
Long-term outcomes
Increased sense of safety
Increased sense of safety for residents, and reduced crime. For example, local police reported lower instances of anti-social behaviour in the Warwick Ahead Big Local area following Big Local projects.
Overall wellbeing of residents improved
Long-term outcomes
Overall wellbeing of residents improved
Improved overall wellbeing of residents, driven by the wider determinants of health being better met. You can learn about how Big Local addressed the wider determinants of health in an article.
Local groups are better connected
Long-term outcomes
Local groups are better connected
Local groups are better connected to each other, and better able to collectively meet the needs of residents. For example, SW11 formed the Community and Belonging Forum where groups and residents work together to improve community wellbeing.
Residents can identify local needs and respond
Long-term outcomes
Residents can identify local needs and respond
Original intended outcome: communities are better able to identify local needs and take action in response. You can learn about how Big Local and its intended outcomes were created on the About page.
Big Local projects make a difference in the community
Long-term outcomes
Big Local projects make a difference in the community
Original intended outcome: residents have made a difference to the needs they prioritised. You can learn about success in Big Local in article.
Residents feel their area is an even better place to live
Long-term outcomes
Residents feel their area is an even better place to live
Original intended outcome: residents feel their area is an even better place to live. You can learn about how Big Local and its intended outcomes were created on the About page.
Residents can identify and respond to future needs
Long-term outcomes
Residents can identify and respond to future needs
Original intended outcome: resident leaders have increased skills and confidence to continue to identify and respond to needs in the future. You can learn about success in Big Local in an article.
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Conditions for long-term impact
Sustainable models developed
Conditions for long-term impact
Sustainable models developed
Sustainable models developed for projects, networks and assets. For example, Whitley Bay Big Local partnership set up their community hub as a base for their newly created CIO with diverse income streams.
Grantees apply for further grants
Conditions for long-term impact
Grantees apply for further grants
Resident grantees are supported and encouraged to apply for further grants by Big Local partnerships or paid workers. For example, in Plaistow South Big Local small grant recipients received support and fundraising training.
Resource strains and lack of funding
Conditions for long-term impact
Resource strains and lack of funding
Resource strains due to unsuccessful fundraising and/or reliance on a few people; assets are financially unsustainable, taken back by landlords or redeveloped as part of wider redevelopment in the area.
Community and stakeholder support, and specialist skills
Conditions for long-term impact
Community and stakeholder support, and specialist skills
Community support, use of spaces and volunteering, creating capacity and demonstrating the value of assets; knowledge of legal protections; income, for example through hiring out the space; good relationships with the local authority and other stakeholders; fundraising skills. You can learn about how to support residents in resident-led programmes to take control of community assets in Learning from Big Local guidance.
Funding raised
Conditions for long-term impact
Funding raised
Over £600k of additional funds were raised by St Matthews to develop physical assets and activities in the area, while Lawrence Weston raised an additional £4m through extensive collaborative working on a landmark local wind farm. You can learn about St Matthews Big Local and Lawrence Weston Big Local by visiting their area summary pages.
Additional funds brought into the area
Conditions for long-term impact
Additional funds brought into the area
Additional funds are brought into the area. You can learn about the estimated amount of additional funding brought into Big Local areas in a report.
Increased service provision for residents
Conditions for long-term impact
Increased service provision for residents
More, and better connected, services are accessible to residents. For example, in Woolavington Big Local 16 organisations provided a range of services from local spaces for residents.
Long-term sustainability of projects
Conditions for long-term impact
Long-term sustainability of projects
The groundwork is laid for the potential long-term sustainability of projects and assets.
More residents access support
Conditions for long-term impact
More residents access support
More residents access support, such as Citizens Advice or local council and health services.
More resident needs are better met
Conditions for long-term impact
More resident needs are better met
More residents needs are better met.
Big Local partnership members remain active
Conditions for long-term impact
Big Local partnership members remain active
A core group of resident leaders, with strong ways of working developed over time, remain active beyond Big Local. For example, Noel Park Big Local partnership members continued their work beyond Big Local, including through setting up two unincorporated groups focused on specific projects.
Big Local partnership members develop skills
Conditions for long-term impact
Big Local partnership members develop skills
Big Local partnerships engage with support offers and develop specialist skills throughout Big Local, such as developing assets, community engagement, and fundraising. You can learn about the support needs of Big Local partnerships and what support Local Trust provided in an article.
Challenges within Big Local partnerships not resolved
Conditions for long-term impact
Challenges within Big Local partnerships not resolved
Challenges within the Big Local partnership are not resolved within the 10-15 year Big Local timeframe. You can learn about the alternative delivery model used in seven Big Local areas in an article.
Support is provided responsively
Conditions for long-term impact
Support is provided responsively
Support is provided responsively by Local Trust throughout the programme, adapting to the needs of Big Local partnerships at different times. You can learn about what enabled community power in Big Local in an article.
Resident leaders planning to continue volunteering
Conditions for long-term impact
Resident leaders planning to continue volunteering
Of 450 Big Local partnership members surveyed towards the end of Big Local, 340 planned to continue volunteering beyond Big Local.
Big Local partnerships form constituted groups
Conditions for long-term impact
Big Local partnerships form constituted groups
Big Local partnership members form (part of) new consistuted or incorporated groups to continue Big Local projects. For example, Brereton Big Local set up a new organisation to purchase a community hub and continue Big Local projects after the programme ended.
Local organisations continue Big Local projects
Conditions for long-term impact
Local organisations continue Big Local projects
New or established local organisations take on and continue Big Local projects. For example, Ramsey Big Local's Locally Trusted Organisation continued Big Local projects beyond the end of the programme, with partnership members joining the organisation as Trustees.
Legal entities set up during Big Local can cause confusion
Conditions for long-term impact
Legal entities set up during Big Local can cause confusion
New legal entities set up alongside the Big Local partnership during Big Local can cause confusion around roles and conflicts of interest. You can learn about early trends and learnings when Big Local partnerships started setting up new legal entities in a report.
Creating clear roles, responsibilities and protocols
Conditions for long-term impact
Creating clear roles, responsibilities and protocols
Creating clear roles and responsibilities, with protocols for navigating challenges. You can learn about how to support resident leadership in Learning from Big Local guidance.
Legacy organisations created through Big Local
Conditions for long-term impact
Legacy organisations created through Big Local
123 legacy organisations were created or supported by Big Local partnerships to continue after Big Local.
More community leaders and volunteers
Conditions for long-term impact
More community leaders and volunteers
There are more community leaders and volunteers, enabling the long-term potential for projects. For example, Heston West Big Local engaged hundreds of local volunteers through their projects and activities.
Improved sense of confidence among residents
Conditions for long-term impact
Improved sense of confidence among residents
There is an improved sense of confidence and self-efficacy among resident leaders and volunteers from the wider community. For example, resident leaders in the Grange Big Local area were supported to develop, improving green spaces and building their confidence to engage with local agencies.
More residents take up local leadership roles
Conditions for long-term impact
More residents take up local leadership roles
More residents take up wider local leadership roles or contribute to local projects and forums.
Quick response to future crises is possible
Conditions for long-term impact
Quick response to future crises is possible
A quick response to future crises is possible by repurposing resources, including volunteers, assets and wider networks developed through Big Local.
Community is more resilient to crisis
Conditions for long-term impact
Community is more resilient to crisis
The community is more resilient to crisis.