Dover is known for its white cliffs and rich history, but it has also faced economic and community engagement challenges. In this episode, chair Anita Luckett shares how Dover Big Local has transformed the town through local entrepreneurship and small business development – from revitalising the London Road high street to broader collaborations wit…

Nestled in Arches in Chatham, Kent, you’ll find a series of striking murals adorning the town – one of them being a radioactive cabbage surrounded by men in hazmat suits. To uncover the story behind these murals and learn more about Arches Big Local, we spoke to co-chair Kate Mechedou. Kate, who got involved in the programme after discovering the A…

In this episode, we catch up with Mike, Gary and Angela, as they reflect on their 12-year journey with Mossley Big Local, located in Walsall in the Black Country. We learn about the important role Mossley's community hub has played in bringing the estate together and rebuilding a sense of community spirit. Mike also shares insights into the estate'…

In June 2023, Grange Big Local in East Finchley, London, and Big Local Jarrow in South Tyneside, launched a Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot scheme. Aimed at addressing issues faced by local residents, the scheme would examine the impact of UBI on health, wellbeing and economic outcomes, while also advocating for UBI as a national policy solution…

In this week's episode we speak to Jeff, Neil, Steve and Danny from Tonge with the Haulgh's Men's Shed project. The initiative connects retired men, offering them opportunities to work on projects, learn new skills and socialise – as well as providing essential social support, addressing loneliness and improving mental health. Despite being called …

A historic rural former market town, Winterton has always prided itself on being clean and green. Now, after working towards becoming an Incredible Edible community – where residents unite to grow and foster lasting connections through food – Winterton Big Local has taken a significant step towards realising its dream of creating a community orchar…

In this episode, we connect with John Cousins to delve into the journey of Sompton and Woolavington, the two communities that form Villages Together Big Local. Despite their differences, these communities have shared valuable lessons on addressing some of their toughest challenges, including isolation, lack of spaces for young families, and anti-so…

For episode one of the new series, we caught up with Rebecca and Reece from Ewanrigg Big Local in Cumbria. They talked to us about their We Will campaign, which broke down the stigma around mental health through empowerment and listening. Although the We Will campaign has ended, its reverberations can still be felt in Ewanrigg, especially at their …

In this episode of Don’t Get Any Ideas, Heather and George travel virtually to Cornwall to catch up with Jayne Downing to find out what the people of Par Bay did as part of Creative Civic Change. A poet herself, Jayne was a driving force behind ‘Poetry from Par Bay’ – a book created in 2020 as part of the Covid and Beyond Project with poetry from t…

In this episode of Don’t Get any Ideas, Heather and George travel toStoke to visit the Portland Inn Project to learn about how to imagineas a community what the next century might look like and whetherthe Portland Inn Project is successful in it’s application to ArtsCouncil England to be one of it’s regularly funded organisations.Guests:Rebecca Dav…

In this episode of Don’t Get any Ideas, Heather and George travel toEast Marsh in Grimsby to meet Josie Moon, local resident,community activist, writer, artist and choir leader. Tucked away inthe local market they discuss how Josie looks for the light in bleak times.Guest: Josie Moon, Community Activist, artist, writer and choir leaderHosts: Heathe…

In this episode of Don't Get Any Ideas, Heather and George travel to Walthamstow to visit William Morris Big Local who have working with local art group Wood Street Walls to discuss holding onto creative community spaces in London.Guests:Gabriel Edwards, Project Lead at William Morris Big LocalGeorgia Bonfield, Program Manager at William Morris Big…

For the last episode of series two of The community power podcast, we talk to the chair of Scotlands Bushbury Hill Big Local who was awarded an MBE last year for her outstanding service in and to the community. She chats to Chris about her 11-year Big Local journey, including the difference between what she imagined she and her community would be a…

When Sue Merriman, worker at Brereton Million Big Local, first took their idea of a wellbeing campaign to the district council they weren't convinced it was possible. Two years later, they've worked together to launch a free health and wellbeing app which takes users through eight aspects of wellbeing and points them towards local providers that ca…

John went from writing fairy stories for his daughter, to being given homework at the age of 76 as part of a local writing group. Now, he's one of several locally published authors who've come through the Firs and Bromford Big Local writing group. We chat to John, author of 'It's been reported', and fellow author and leader of the writing club Phil…

In this episode, we explore the unexpected power of pom poms with Dave Roberts and Shona Gilsenan, who are both workers at East Coseley Big Local. They tell us all about their simple and creative project Pom-Poms 4 Loneliness. On a mission to end loneliness, this project is creating impressive and far-reaching ripple effects - including an increasi…

From supporting food services out of a bus to transforming an old police station into a community hub, there's a few things Eastern Sheppey Big Local know about creating valuable community spaces. In this episode of The community power podcast, we chat to Daniel Perriam and Emma Dunnicliffe about how they got involved with Eastern Sheppey Big Local…

In this episode, Northfleet Big Local resident Peter Scollard shares how his ability to talk to people and think in a resident-led way has enabled him to become a different type of local leader. From working the fruit and veg markets as a child, to being elected the Mayor of Gravesham, his journey is worth listening to.As always, the Community Powe…

In this episode of Don’t Get Any Ideas, Heather and George begin in Corby, home to George, Helen’s workplace and Heather’s childhood home. As part of their work with the Creative Kingston and Hazel Leys Creative Civic Change project, they have been regularly taking time throughout to hover above the intense work and talk about what is important to …

In this episode of Don’t Get any Ideas, Heather and George travel toKensington in Liverpool to meet Michaela and Steve at the Croissantof Inequality, and record their podcast at their amazing communityradio station, Liverpool Community Radio. They talk about the powerof telling your own story.Guests:Steve Faragher, Independent Community ActivistMic…

In this epsiode, we are joined by SO18 Big Local chair Kim Ayling and Michelle McCarthy from the organisation NVR South.They share with us their personal experience of having challenging relationships with their children and how NVR training has dramatically helped them rebuild those relationships - a training programme they are now rolling out loc…

In this week's episode of The community power podcast, Laurie White from Noel Park Big Local shares how they've transformed a shipping container into a training hub that's already getting local young people into employment.You can find out more about Noel Park Big Local's activities here: http://www.noelparkbiglocal.co.uk/about-us/And you can watch…

In this week's episode we chat to George Hill from Creative Kingswood and Hazel Leys and Anna Francis from the Portland Inn Project - about their experience of being part of our sister programme, Creative Civic Change. Find out more about Creative Civic Change here: https://localtrust.org.uk/other-programmes/creative-civic-change/Learn more about C…

In this episode, we talk to Lawrence O'Halleron (Big Local chair) and Chris Folwell (Big Local worker) from Gateshead Big Local about their local cycling club, Teams Wheelers - and how it's opened up some opportunities for them to be part of an upcoming riverside regeneration scheme.You can find out more about Gateshead Big Local via their website …

In this episode of The community power podcast, we speak to Freda Eyden and Ralph Rudden, co-chairs of Our Sale West - a Big Local based in Greater Manchester.They share their experience of setting up and running a schools climate crisis conference and how they are using their experience of Covid-19 to respond to the cost of living crisis.You can f…

The first episode of our brand-new series was recorded at our annual Big Local conference Connects and highlights how community organisations are navigating the cost of living crisis. We discuss the support available through the Cost of Living Alliance, with Community Organisers CEO Nick Gardham: https://www.costofliving-alliance.org/We also talk t…

In the final episode of the series, we are looking back at some of the best bits with Local Trust CEO Matt Leach. Thanks to all of our guests this series, we will be back for more of The community power podcast later this year.In the meantime, you can find out more about Big Local here: About Big Local - Local TrustAnd the Community Wealth Fund her…

Grace Mary to Lion Farm Big Local share how they've united young people from across several neighbourhoods to make where they live a better place, including two of the young people involved - Lewis and Nick. Watch their award-winning video, featuring their mascot Gracie, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr-ozXae3fU…

What can be done when a community has lost the spark it used to have? Debbie Stephens and Suey Lee from L30's Million Big Local, share how they rekindled community pride through a focus on strengthening local people and assets. Watch Health and Wellbeing Connector Suey in action here: https://www.facebook.com/l30smillion/videos/1054520775086997/…

What happens when you make the space for adults to create, play, fail and try again in the way we do as children? Hannah and Liz, from Make Space Cornwall CIC, share the benefits they have seen since encouraging their community to express themselves through art projects. Find out more about Make Space Cornwall here: https://www.makespacecornwall.co…

Getting young people to volunteer for their community is no mean feat. Heston West Big Local share how they've inspired their diverse and youthful community to take action in this week's episode of The community power podcast. Find out more about Heston West here: https://www.hestonwest.org/Local Trust

Sports and wellbeing enthusiast Luke Freer, shares the power of trusted, local and passionate people when it comes to turning around health inequalities within a community.Watch The Cars area's short video on their successful health and wellbeing activity Bowls, Biscuits & Coffee here: https://www.facebook.com/TheCarsAreaSmithsWood/videos/207211813…

Two years on from the pandemic, Mark Mitchell from Brinnington Big Local shares how the community rallied around to provide an emergency response effort - including addressing food poverty through their project 'cooking up a storm'.Learn more about Brinnington Big Local here: http://brinningtonbiglocal.co.uk/…

‘Everybody wants good for themselves, but the good ones are those who want good for others’. Inspired by her father’s ethos, Imrana Niazi joined Palfrey Big Local and quickly became a powerful leader within her community – delivering innovative youth violence and victim support programmes across Walsall.You can find out more about the iMatter progr…

Ambition Lawrence Weston are the proud owners of the largest wind turbine in England. However, this national project came from humble beginnings, when our guest Mark Pepper and the rest of Lawrence Weston Big Local, decided to make climate change real for their community in North Bristol. You can find out more about Ambition Lawrence Weston’s work …

Through the simple power of listening, Ewanrigg Big Local have transformed mental health support and awareness in their remote, Cumbrian town of Maryport. Big Local residents and worker - Sharon, Jaz, and Kate - tell us more about the success of their HUG A MUG initiative and We Will campaign.Find out more about all of Ewanrigg Big Local's projects…

Award-winning community archaeologist, Barry Mead, is passionate about the value resident-led regeneration can create within a community. With a love for history, heritage and people, Barry shares the amazing story of how he and local residents converted a crumbling medieval tower into a thriving community hub.To find out more about Pele Tower, inc…

Listen to our CEO Matt Leach, as he explains the inspiration for our new series and what you can expect. Find out more about the Community Wealth Fund here: https://communitywealthfund.org.uk/ Find out more about the APPG for left-behind neighbourhoods here: https://www.appg-leftbehindneighbourhoods.org.uk/…

Join Local Trust's partnerships manager Georgie as she visits communities creating a space for community. In this episode she talks to community members from Scotlands and Bushbury Hill Big Local in Wolverhampton before they finalise the purchase of their second community building.Local Trust

The podcast where we explore the spaces and places helping communities to thrive. In this episode we head to Ramsey in Cambridgeshire to meet local community group Ramsey Million and hear how they've teamed up with their local cricket club to create something truly unique for local people.Local Trust

Join Local Trust's partnerships manager Georgie as she visits communities creating a space for community. In this episode we're in Whitley Bay meeting local people on the day they purchased their new community hub and hearing about their plans for a green future.Local Trust

Chris Allen interviews Local Trust's CEO Matt Leach at Big Local Connects 2021Local Trust

Connects Radio meets: Imrana by Local TrustLocal Trust

Connects Radio meets: Harriet Marsden by Local TrustLocal Trust

Connects Radio meets: Steph And Asma by Local TrustLocal Trust

Listen back to all the interviews from Connects Radio with producer Chris Allen.Local Trust

Listen back to all the interviews from Connects Radio with producer Chris Allen.Local Trust

Listen back to all the interviews from Connects Radio with producer Chris Allen.Local Trust

Listen back to all the interviews from Connects Radio with producer Chris Allen.Local Trust

Listen back to all the interviews from Connects Radio with producer Chris Allen.Local Trust