Big Local is a funding programme established by the National Lottery Community Fund in 2010. 150 areas in England were granted at least £1million to use how they see fit.
From a decade of learnings, they have found:
- Community-run buildings can strengthen social connections, improve wellbeing, address social isolation, and strengthen local economies
- Not all neighbourhoods have access to these buildings and communities face significant barriers including poor-quality existing buildings, limited funding, complex planning processes, and a lack of people with the skills, confidence, or time to take on governance and management.
- In order to thrive in the long-term, community-run buildings need to:
- Operate under a stable occupancy model (either long-term leases or asset ownership
- Have a diverse and sustainable income stream
- Be managed by a skilled and knowledgeable team
- Be regularly maintained and improved
- Be governed by a group of community members
- Be well connected with other partners, services, and organisations
- Be accessible to the whole community