Local Trust

What does delivering good jobs for doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods look like?  “The new government has been elected on a platform that includes ambitious targets to kickstart economic growth and make work pay. In light of the growth of zero-hour contracts, insecure work and the gig economy, there is an emerging understanding that for economic growth to tangibly raise living standards, the quality of work must improve. “Creating more work, and better work, is part of the solution, as is new legislation to improve workers' rights. But the neighbourhoods in England where poor quality, low paid and insecure work are most common are also the areas where inequalities are the most entrenched. In these areas, wider economic growth or labour market reforms will not shift the dial for residents.” Read more from our policy officer Kyle Vanelli at https://lnkd.in/e_cRFVYx 

2.3 million people are living in doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods across England. As the government’s Plan to Make Work Pay takes centre stage, our research with Centre for Progressive Policy highlights the unique challenges facing these areas – and the realities of good work in some of England’s most economically and socially deprived communities. We’re calling for a shift in the national policy agenda towards place-based interventions that directly address the challenges facing these areas. Read more about the impact this could have at https://lnkd.in/eK_RHRf4

From opening a pump track to running a new youth group to improving the local woodlands, Phil, Carole and Nikki from Windmill Hill Big Local share their journey over the past 10 years in our story from Ryan Herman https://lnkd.in/eTvnTEsP 

Don't miss out on free tickets! We're running our fifth seminar in our series of interdisciplinary, cross-sector research seminars about community-led change. This one will examine how community leadership can be effectively supported. Join us in London on 26th November. You'll hear from Dr Carol Jacklin-Jarvis from The Open University, Mari Martiskainen from University of Sussex and Dr Sarabajaya Kumar from UCL. The session will be chaired by Sarah Pearson from the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University. Register for your place now at: https://lnkd.in/eQZPqgsY .

Our new community action plan from TAKE A PART CIO on empowering young people is out! You’ll find tips on how to empower young people through engagement, from getting started with the fundamentals to codesign and using awards to celebrate achievements. Volunteers Serena and Layba from Heston West Big Local in London also share their experiences of how youth-led initiatives have impacted their lives: https://lnkd.in/e8j2akKj 

“I think it’s telling that not only have so many Big Local areas prioritised health but that so many felt that they had to take the lead in improving the health outcomes of their neighbourhood because the top-down, system-led services weren’t working." When thinking about health in a Big Local context, what comes to mind? It's the community pantry in Dover offering nutrition advice and cookery lessons, and the Shape Shifters programme in Northwood, where local people have had the chance to exercise but also to make friends and improve their overall wellbeing. It's also Ewanrigg Big Local’s We Will campaign in Cumbria around young people’s mental health and the Pom-Poms 4 Loneliness project in East Coseley Big Local, to name just a few. Our latest blog by Local Trust’s chief operating officer Rachel Rowney explores the impact of health-related projects on communities in the #BigLocal programme following the launch of our new research with NHS Confederation looking at why health services in England need to engage with neighbourhoods and communities. Read the blog now: https://lnkd.in/eTAfgN2u

If we don’t approach the current challenges and opportunities facing health, care and wider society through the lens of community-led, neighbourhood-based responses, then we are destined to repeat failures of the past.  That’s why we’re launching brand new research with NHS Confederation today. It explores why health and care services in the UK need to engage with communities – and how examples of community-led work, including in the Big Local programme, have the potential to change the way national health policy is delivered: https://lnkd.in/eqAkZYWA

"We're a voice for the people in this area," says Angela Buss, chair of Revoelution Big Local. "It's about people being able to aspire to things and to take their own lives in their own hands."    This week, BBC reported on how Revoelution Big Local in the Revoe area of Blackpool have been supporting their community and their plans to continue doing so in the future. Read about what Revoelution have achieved, from creating a work club to help residents apply for jobs to running social events to help overcome loneliness and isolation at ➡️

After a busy party conference season, we’re revisiting our latest series of policy research papers: Making the government’s missions work in neighbourhoods. Explore how learning from the Big Local programme can inform the delivery of the new Labour government’s five missions, and where these could have the greatest impact – at the neighbourhood level ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eTzQpR6F

“For me, Black history is knowing who I am, where I come from and where I am going.” This month marks #BlackHistoryMonth and we're reflecting on Nyah’s story – and how Birchfield Big Local in Birmingham gave her a sense of belonging in the community and a space to explore the meaning of Black history with new generations. Read Nyah’s story: https://lnkd.in/guD2MiVy