This summer marks more than a decade of resident-led change, which has seen local people across England take the lead in improving their neighbourhoods. Worlds End Big Local in Kensington and Chelsea has been leading the way helping local residents into employment
Across England, communities are celebrating the success of the programme which gave 150 local areas 1 million pounds each to improve their neighbourhoods. Thousands of people from some of England’s most disadvantaged local communities have seen their lives improved.
Worlds End in Kensington and Chelsea became the 100th Big Local area to complete their journey. Over the last 12 years they have been helping the local community with innovative resident-led projects ranging from youth boxing classes, employability classes and digital training as well as teaming up with the council to help get local residents into jobs in retail, banking etc.
Shaherun Islam, Chair at World’s End and Lots Road Big Local Big Local discusses the transformative impact the programme has had for residents: “What I love about Big Local, is that we work with people who otherwise might have been ignored. Building bridges across communities has been a highlight and people see us as a friend, not a profit-driven organisation. Supporting people to find work has been a big part of what we do, because we believe that having a job can be transformative. Our legacy is knowing that our work will continue, even when we’ve moved on when we become the Chelsea Big Local, our new charity. And that’s my mission: to make sure this continues.”
Across England 99 other Big Local areas that have completed the programme. They have delivered an array of impactful, locally-led projects, demonstrating the power of community-led neighbourhood regeneration. These range from show-stopping community events, including a marathon and music festival, to investment in local infrastructure, such as play areas and sports facilities, a solar farm and even a community-owned wind turbine. Designed to be radically different from other funding programmes, Big Local has enabled areas to spend their funding over 10 to15 years, according to their communities’ plans and priorities. Rachel Rowney who has been with Local Trust since the beginning of their journey recently took the takes the helm as Chief Executive. She says the impact of these areas’ work will continue to be felt long after the projects have finished:
“This milestone is not just the culmination of years of dedication but a powerful testament to the impact of grassroots, resident-led efforts in transforming communities across the country. Local areas have formed legacy organisations to continue their work. Many local community groups are continuing to flourish and Big Local areas’ investment in building and developing local infrastructure, such as community centres, will continue to provide residents with shared spaces for decades to come. Local people will continue to champion their communities, building on the confidence and leadership skills they’ve developed through being part of the Big Local programme.”
