The Heath Big Local area was based in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, near Burton on Trent. In 2021, the area’s population stood at 6,812 (ONS, 2022a), with the proportion of residents over 65 increasing from 16 per cent in 2011 to just over 20 per cent by 2021 (ONS, 2012; 2022b). The area was mainly white British (ONS, 2023a). Employment in Heath was higher than regional and national averages (ONS, 2022c), with nearly half of employed residents working in manufacturing (ONS, 2023b). A high proportion didn’t have any formal qualifications (ONS, 2023c).
The Heath Big Local area was a relatively green area, with three parks within its boundary, and the larger Bramshall Road Park just outside. The area was served by three community centres and three nursing homes , and was close to two major tourist attractions (Alton Towers theme park and the Peak District). The area was well connected with reliable transport links to nearby towns and a train station. Despite this, residents expressed frustration over the fact that many essential services – particularly doctors, hospitals, and dentists – were located outside the area, requiring travel.
Heath Big Local partnership envisioned a cohesive community with raised aspirations, improved local parks and green spaces, and cleaner streets. The key priorities from community engagement were: enhancing health and wellbeing (a consistent theme in their work); improving outdoor green areas; developing existing community spaces; supporting local groups and activities through small grants; and addressing mental health in the community.
Heath Big Local partnership operated with a formal meeting structure, including designated roles, such as chair and vice-chair, and printed agendas. Reflecting the greater Heath area, membership itself was predominantly white British; however, recognising the importance of diverse perspectives, the partnership sought to engage with residents of all ages and genders.
Heath Big Local partnership drew upon their connections with other Big Local areas to hear about other creative approaches to resident consultation, which inspired their use of coach trips for consultation surveys.
Heath Big Local partnership established a small-grants scheme for residents, and carried out quarterly impact reviews. The scheme garnered significant community interest (especially given economic conditions that made fundraising difficult for many organisations), funding local projects such as improvements to the bowls club and support for youth groups and services.
Heath Big Local partnership was well integrated with the community, which helped them establish strong relationships with local health agencies and the local church, St Mary’s. Partnership members were also committed to volunteering their own time to manage projects; however, recognising a need for fresh perspective and energy to see them through to the end of the programme, they eventually employed two part-time paid workers to support with project management and administration. In 2019/20, the partnership transitioned their locally trusted organisation (LTO) from Knights for Uttoxeter, a local charity, to the Church Wardens of St Mary’s, a fully volunteer-run entity.
In 2019, five members of the partnership formed the Heath Legacy Community Group to continue the work beyond the end of the programme, delivering community activities including youth programmes, picnics, and garden open days.
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.
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.
Heath Big Local partnership’s first survey highlighted that some residents found local gyms unaffordable, as well as desire within the community for better sporting opportunities and play amenities for local young people.
Heath Big Local partnership formed a subgroup to address this, installing outdoor fitness and play equipment at Bramshall Road Park. Alongside this, a BMX pump track, shaped through consultations with young residents, was installed at Pennycroft Park. Funding also went towards installing play and gym equipment at the track, which became well used by local wellbeing groups.
Through Big Local funding, both parks were transformed into dynamic outdoor assets for the whole community. Young people in particular benefitted, with four key youth groups (Rainbows, Guides, Beavers, and Scouts) making use of the parks for a diverse range of activities. The sites were also used by local mental-health support groups to host wellbeing initiatives, and as spaces for local schools and families to deliver educational projects, such as creating bug hotels and holding wildlife observation sessions.
Early consultations highlighted a pressing need for a central hub to host activities and foster engagement across the community. Rather than create a brand-new space, the existing Uttoxeter Heath Community Centre (UHCC), located in the heart of the area, was a natural choice for refurbishment.
Through funding a wealth of improvements from 2019 onwards, Heath Big Local partnership aimed to transform the old centre into a welcoming space where residents could gather and attend functions and events. The partnership collaborated closely with the UHCC management committee to jointly steer a refurbishment project, making use throughout of partnership members’ own skills and capacity. This approach both minimised costs and empowered partnership members, who gained invaluable experience and confidence in executing key decisions.
The refurbishment process itself posed challenges, especially around the limitations of relying on volunteer capacity. Nonetheless, the new centre emerged as a source of great pride for the partnership, evolving into a vibrant community hub capable of catering to the whole community. The transformed centre offered a diverse range of events throughout the week, including daily breakfast clubs providing a warm, welcoming space for residents to connect. Numerous community groups were also galvanised into action following the redevelopment, kickstarting activities within the space.
Heath Big Local partnership wanted to establish a reliable space capable of catering to the needs of older people and families in the area. Big Local funding of almost £200,000 went towards redeveloping a bungalow within the Hermitage Charity Care Trust (a local assisted-living residence), which opened as Uttoxeter Cares early in the programme.
Supported by partnership volunteers, the new facility quickly became self-sustaining, serving as an invaluable resource for the community. Uttoxeter Cares was well used by residents and local organisations offering advice, support, and various clinical services (including lymphoedema clinics, therapies, and bereavement care).
Uttoxeter Cares swiftly adapted its approach during the Covid-19 pandemic, collaborating with the Hermitage Centre and Uttoxeter Heath Community Centre management to ensure continued and strengthened service provision and avoid potential closure. After the pandemic, the space continued to host valuable services for the community, from knit-and-natter clubs to bereavement support, as well as building and connecting services with Uttoxeter Heath Community Centre to reduce duplication of services.
A survey conducted with residents on one of Heath Big Local partnership coach trips towards the end of Big Local highlighted that poor mental health was a concern, and that many residents (and partnership members) wanted to address this through creative and artistic activities. However, the success and subsequent extensive use of the two community centres the partnership had already funded (Heath Community Centre and Uttoxeter Cares) meant that such services would require an additional, dedicated space to be funded.
Heath Big Local partnership collaborated with the local Heath Mission Church to renovate the Heritage Art Centre at the church as part of their strategy for improving people’s wellbeing. Heath Big Local partnership allocated £34,000 towards the renovation, which the church match funded. The partnership also directed some funding towards a community allotment and garden adjacent to the centre, creating outdoor spaces that could be used for wellbeing activities.
The revitalised space served as a multifunctional hub for the area, available for use by schools and the wider community through the week, and by the church over weekends. Towards the end of the programme, the project was being overseen by a dedicated partnership member, with the new centre scheduled to open soon.
Heath Big Local partnership ran free coach trips outside the area for residents to reduce isolation and foster connections in the community. Attendees could choose to donate towards costs, with any such donations going towards future activities and trips.
Heath Big Local partnership orchestrated a total of nine coach trips, having started the trips mid-way through the programme. Reflecting on the impact, one member recounted the overwhelming response to trips to Llandudno and Blackpool, where multiple coaches were filled with families and children eager to experience the seaside for the first time.
These excursions helped reduce social isolation and nurture a sense of camaraderie among residents. Partly this was due to the experience of being on a coach together helping create meaningful connections, alongside the opportunities to explore new places as a group. Furthermore, the trips provided the partnership with opportune moments to conduct useful surveys with residents, supporting the rest of their work. Heath Big Local partnership remained committed to the coach journey initiative, with resources allocated to their continuation through the Heath Community Legacy Group.
Each Big Local area received approximately £1.2 million (ranging from £1.199 mil to 1.209 mil) to spend over 10–15 years, depending on how much additional funding they accessed from Local Trust to address specific needs. For example, to bring people together at the start of the programme or to access training and support. This has been categorised for areas and at the programme level based on reports received from areas.
Partnerships chose their own priorities and categories for reporting, and were encouraged to use broad categories so they could use the funding flexibly. All areas spent a significant amount of money on ‘Big Local delivery costs’ such as workers’ salaries, stationery and IT equipment. You can find out more about programme level spend in this article. This is how Heath Big Local told Local Trust they used their Big Local funding.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2012) ‘UK Census 2011: Age structure of the population: Aged 65 years and over’. (Accessed 14 October 2024).
Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2022a) ‘UK Census 2021: All persons’. (Accessed 14 October 2024)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2022b) ‘UK Census 2021: Age structure of the population: Aged 65 years and over’. (Accessed 14 October 2024)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2022c) ‘UK Census 2021: Economically active: In employment’. (Accessed 30 October 2024)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2023a) ‘UK Census 2021: Ethnic group: White: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British’. (Accessed 14 October 2024)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2023b) ‘Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES): Regional level employment by broad industry group’. (Accessed 14 October 2024)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2023c) ‘UK Census 2021: Highest level of qualification: No qualifications’. (Accessed 14 October 2024)
