Explore learning and insights from Big Local through themed research and stories. Each theme has its own page telling you more about the topic in the context of Big Local, and provides links to relevant research, area summaries and resident stories.
These themes were developed based on the topics that emerged through research throughout the delivery of the Big Local programme, and reflect the priorities of residents living in Big Local areas.
Find out more about how the content of this website was developed in an article about Local Trust’s approach to research and learning.
Want to explore how the Big Local story fits together? These ten themes bring everything on the site into focus.
Big Local was an ambitious experiment in community power, giving 150 areas across England the chance to lead change on their own terms. On this site you can explore area summaries, Q&A article, stories, reports and guidance, all organised by themes that reflect what mattered most to residents.
Six themes grew directly from local priorities: community assets, health and wellbeing, crisis response, local economy, young people, and place-based pride. Three themes highlight how change was delivered: resident leadership, community engagement and working collaboratively. Finally, community change provides the big picture of regeneration and learning across the programme.
Browse the themes to see how residents used funding, the challenges they faced, and the changes they made.