Repository
A curated and searchable collection of community-related research reports, case studies and publications
Big Local evaluation plan
Published: 2015
NCVO, OPM and IVR conducted an ‘early years’ evaluation of Big Local in 2014 and produced a framework to help steer future evaluation activities. This framework was discussed by trustees and developed further. The plan for the evaluation for the remainder of the programme takes into account the ideas from the evaluators together with the id…
Plans to action: Summary Report and Case Studies
Published: 2015
This report brings together research exploring how Big Local and other community groups deliver projects in their areas. The aim of the research was to understand how Big Local areas move from identifying issues and priorities in their area, to developing projects to address these. It also aimed to highlight any differences in Big Local project…
Co-operative Pubs: A better form of business – 2014
Published: 2015
This publication is based on the results of surveys undertaken by the Plunkett Foundation between March and April 2015 and draws on information provided by 29 of the 33 co-operative pubs open and trading across the UK at the end of 2014. The majority of this information was collected through a structured online survey completed by appointe…
Community Shops: A better form of business – 2014
Published: 2015
This publication is based on the results of surveys undertaken by the Plunkett Foundation between March and April 2015 and is based on new information provided by 95 of the 325 community shops open and trading across the UK at the end of 2014, as well as information gathered from nearly every community shop over the last 3 years.
The majority …
“What if we ran it ourselves?” – Getting the measure of Britain’s emerging community business sector
Published: 2015
A report from Social Finance has revealed new findings about the current state and scope of the community business sector. The report finds that there are around 4,500 community businesses in England and Wales, with a combined income of £800m a year and assets of £1 billion. These community businesses employ around 24,000 staff and engage nea…
Expert yet undervalued and on the frontline
Published: 2015
This report identifies the biggest challenges identified by 800 of our partner charities and what would help to overcome them.
Findings include:
For 81% of charities, obtaining funding was the biggest challenge they faced despite proactive and innovative efforts to secure their future.
Charities are working hard to raise money from other sour…
Big Local: The early years
Published: 2014
Since the Big Local programme started, 150 communities that had little or no tradition of resident- organising at a community-wide level have seen core groups of active residents and local organisations come together and develop shared visions of more positive futures for their community. Those involved report a growing sense of confidence and …
Big Local Annual Learning Review 2013-14: Final report
Published: 2014
This review sets out the findings of the third Annual Review of Big Local. It draws on data collected in the year April 2013 to March 2014 by Local Trust and partners in order to report on progress towards the Big Local aim and outcomes, as well as to reflect on what has been learnt during the year and the implications for the coming years.
Co-operative Pubs 2014: A Better Form of Business
Published: 2014
This publication is the first ever report on the state of the co‐operative pubs sector in the UK. It is based on a survey conducted by Plunkett Foundation staff in December 2013 and draws on information provided by 21 of the 22 co‐operative pubs open and trading at the end of 2013. The majority of the information was collected through …
Community Shops 2014: A Better Form of Business
Published: 2014
This report aims to give an overview of the development of the community shop sector in the UK and of the health and wealth of the sector today. Specifically, the report provides numerical data about the range of legal and management structures of these shops; a summary of the scope of products and services they offer; an analysis of their prof…
Big Local Annual Learning Review 2012-13: Final report
Published: 2014
This report builds on the first annual learning review, Early Learning from Big Local, and examines further the steps that are being taken towards achieving the overall aim and these outcomes. We have looked at four main questions to help us understand how residents and others in Big Local areas are starting to get involved, getting suppor…
Influences on the development of Big Local areas
Published: 2014
To learn about what makes Big Local work, the Community Development Foundation was asked by Local Trust to explore how Big Local is developing in areas and what influences progress.
They visited 14 Big Local areas between June and October 2013. In each area they held a focus group with residents who were actively involved, and interviewed repr…