Local buildings can be really valuable community assets, but they are not without their challenges. In many places they are a visible sign of decline or pride, yet too often they are overlooked as a vital part of local regeneration.
On 11 September, Stir to Action will be delivering a workshop for Pride in Place Programme (PiPP) Chairs to explore what makes some assets more successful than others and the importance of community control, hearing from groups and organisations that have done it before.
This workshop is part of Local Trust’s series of Pride in Place regional events which have highlighted both the strong interest in community-led neighbourhood change and the need for more practical support as PiPP areas move into delivery, particularly around establishing Neighbourhood Boards and the role of effective Chairs.
Local Trust is offering a short programme of activity through ‘learning clusters’ that bring PiPP Chairs together to share experiences, explore challenges, and learn from one another. This work will culminate in an event in central London on 11 September, open to all PiPP Chairs from across the UK. The event, expected to have 200-300 attendees, aims to build face-to-face connections between Chairs, enabling them to share experiences and learning so far, and to think about what future support and resources might be needed to enable delivery of PiPP with confidence, including practical techniques and tools that can be applied to emerging issues and projects.
The national Pride in Place Programme has the potential to fundamentally transform hundreds of places around the UK, creating and strengthening the relationships and connections that exist in an area, and improving outcomes for people. The programme, with up to £5 billion committed in funding, is about changing the way things are done and transferring power to communities.
We’re delighted that Local Trust has chosen us to deliver this workshop. Our panellists are:
- Paula Smith – the club manager of Sheerness East Working Men’s Club which serves thousands of local members and residents on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent
- Grace Harrison – a co-founder of Kitty’s Launderette, a pioneering community-owned launderette and social space in Liverpool
- Deana Bamford – one of the driving forces of Coalville CAN, a community-led organisation that is building a property portfolio in the East Midlands.
If you’re part of a community group looking for support with acquiring, managing, and future-proofing community assets, check out our ABCs of Community Assets programme, relaunching in November.
New for this autumn’s ABCs of Community Assets, with support from This Day Foundation, we’re offering 10 funded learning partnerships to community groups that are in the early stage of the journey. Learn more and apply here before 5 September.
