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The role of small grants in Big Local: scoping paper

Repository entry 1 May 2022

This paper aims to summarise what Local Trust knows about the small grants funds operating in Big Local areas. Research done in June 2020 found that 140 out of 150 Big Local areas were either currently running a small grants programme or had run one in the past. Small grants funds typically aim to provide money to groups operating at the grassr…

“We need a Right to Buy, not to try”: How more urban communities can take ownership of their pub

Repository entry 1 May 2022

This publication explores how and why more urban community pubs could be developed in urban areas, and the policy changes and support needed to achieve this.

The report considers the opportunities and challenges facing groups looking at community ownership of a pub in urban areas. It also reviews the policy landscape and operating environment …

Delivering Zero-Carbon Schools: A practical and innovative business model for the community energy sector

Repository entry 1 January 2022

Schools are at the heart of our local communities; they represent a quarter of public sector carbon emissions, so fully decarbonising their energy will be essential. While two-thirds of local authorities have declared a Climate Emergency, many do not have plans in place to tackle schools’ emissions. This report presents a new business mo…

Understanding the lived experience of ethnic minority students in postgraduate research

Repository entry 1 January 2022

This report presents the findings from the first qualitative research on the experiences of ethnic minority postgraduate research students accessing and studying at GuildHE member institutions. It captures, through interviews, students’ perceptions and experiences of studying a postgraduate research degree at smaller and specialist higher edu…

Community Business Climate Action Programme Scoping Study Literature Review

Repository entry 1 December 2021

This rapid literature review was undertaken by CAG Consultants in late 2021 as part of a scoping study to inform Power to Change’s new Climate Action Programme under development. It takes a wide perspective of available data to provide an overview of development needs/opportunities, funding and support gaps for community businesses …

Community Pubs – A better form of business 2021

Repository entry 1 October 2021

This research used mixed methods to look at the size, characteristics and performance of the community pub sector in the UK. This is the seventh of such reports, building on what’s known about the sector as it becomes increasingly established. It can be used as an information resource and benchmarking tool for pubs, funders and support organi…

Community Shops – A better form of business 2021

Repository entry 1 October 2021

This comprehensive publication looks at the community shop sector in the UK. It was first published in 2011 and has grown with additional information year on year. The report can now be used as a startup guide for new groups, a benchmarking tool for existing community shops, and is used by funders and support organisations to futureproof servic…

Left Behind Survey

Repository entry 1 August 2021

Conducted by Survation on behalf of Local Trust.

You can find more reports written or commissioned by Local Trust here.

Towards resilience: Building energy systems with community at their heart

Repository entry 1 August 2021

COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus the fragile state and deeply interconnected nature of the critical systems we rely on for our health and prosperity. Our energy system is a case in point; the pandemic has underscored that existing top-down, centralised models of energy supply and management are not a good fit for the future.

You can find…

A community response to loneliness

Repository entry 1 June 2021

Social connections are the fabric of our communities. They enable all those day-to-day interactions that provide us with a sense of belonging. And they create the conditions for us to do the things we enjoy and that matter to us most.

This handbook offers a unique insight into how community and resident groups can address loneliness.

You can…

Case Study: ARK at Egwood

Repository entry 1 June 2021

ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) at Egwood is a land-based day facility in South Somerset set up in 2019. It offers therapeutic activities, experiences and support services on 12 acres of land with animals, horticulture and communal buildings to improve people’s health and wellbeing. It has two paid staff and about 35 volunteers who regularly su…

Case Study: Hyde Park Source

Repository entry 1 June 2021

Hyde Park Source is a community organisation in Leeds set up in 1998. It runs a range of projects including a Design-and-Build service, Outdoor Education and Community Garden groups. It aims to improve health and wellbeing by working with local communities ‘to help them improve their surroundings, designing and creating attractive, exciting a…