Big Local - what would you do?

Big Local – what would you do?

July 23, 2012

Author: Trudi Holden

Do you think you know what kind of projects would work in your area, but lack the funding to make it happen? Big Local is an exciting opportunity for residents in 150 areas around England to use at least £1m to make a massive and lasting positive difference to their communities. It’s about bringing together all the local talent, ambitions, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make their area an even better place to live.

In June this year, many Big Local areas from across the country were involved in organising community celebrations for The Big Lunch as an opportunity to meet and talk to more residents about Big Local in their area. We worked with several Big Local areas to help get their Lunches organised, including Northfleet Gravesham Kent, Woodlands Doncaster and Livesey Ward in Peckham.

The Big Lunch was selected as a good opportunity for communities to work together on fun events that would help communities start bigger conversations.

Residents of St Blazey, Par and Tywardreath in Cornwall, for example, will be getting together this month for a chance to help decide how their money should be spent locally.

Par Bay Local Partnership’s ‘Big Giveaway’ is to be held at the town hall, where a number of local groups have put forward bids for funds for projects they wish to carry out. These range from a skateboard park and an eco-friendly sports and community centre, to a club for the deaf and hard of hearing – and support for running a zumba class!

Each group will have a brief chance to make its pitch to those who come along, and to answer questions from them. Once everyone has had their say, all present will be able to vote for the projects that they think ought to receive funding.

Chairman of the Par Bay Local Partnership, Doug Scrafton, said:

‘We have a unique opportunity here. It’s not often that this sort of money is given to an area such as ours – and even less often that it is the residents themselves who get to say how it should be spent. This event marks an important step in our work to find out exactly how local people wish to see the funds invested, and we hope that as many as possible will come along.”

Big Local

Have your say!

If you would like to have your say where you live, or if you would like to discuss your own ideas for projects that could be part of the next round of funding, find your Big Local rep on their map here

Big Local is being run by Local Trust, which is working with £200m from the Big Lottery Fund and a range of partners providing expert advice and support for residents.