The Power to Change Roadshow arrives in London on Tuesday 23 September to offer support and inspiration to people with a desire to make a positive change in their local community.

Whether it’s setting up a community business that creates job opportunities for local people and reinvests profits back into the local area, or maybe saving a local library, village shop or pub from closure, community enterprises are all about local people helping to make their community a better place to live.

Run by UnLtd and partners Locality and Plunkett Foundation, using Big Lottery funding, a range of support is on offer for community enterprises ranging from six free roadshow events to a peer support network, to online learning and help with business planning and legislation.

Find out more at: http://locality.org.uk/projects/power-change/

The fully booked London event, which will be held at the Redmond Community Centre, will introduce how to set up and run a community enterprise. Guest speakers will include community entrepreneurs Ginny Tinkler from Action for Autism Families and Naomi Mwasamblili of Community Therapies & Training Services; Vicki Laville-Davis from  Dalgarno Neighbourhood Trust, and Helen Melia of the Strood Green community shop.

Vicki Laville-Davies, director of Dalgarno Neighbourhood Trust, “In the short time of our existence, we’ve made huge steps in partnership with other stakeholders and community members to improve the living conditions of people in the local area.”

A range of talks, workshops and advice from local experts will be on offer at the London event to help turn the most ambitious of ideas into reality. Attendees will have the chance to learn more about governance, business planning and social impact, and will find out about the financial support currently available.

Cliff Prior, UnLtd’s chief executive, said: “At UnLtd we believe passionately in the power of people as social entrepreneurs in their communities. We’ve made great strides in finding, funding and supporting individuals to become ‘community entrepreneurs’ – people with the potential and creativity needed to change the places in which they live for the better.

“Community entrepreneurs have a vital role to play in sorting out some of the tough social challenges facing their neighbourhoods today. This support we’re offering with our partners Locality and Plunkett Foundation will give a big boost to the people who take action to deal with local need and seize the opportunities.

“The roadshow event in London is an opportunity to learn from the experience of people who have started and run a community-level venture, pick their brains and plan how you can transform your area through community enterprise. The support we’re offering will help local people improve the things in their community they care about most. Come and see us in London and join the online community network.”

The Power to Change Community Network offers enterprise tips, news and updates on support and funding.

Another way to get involved if you have a great idea for a community enterprise is by entering a film competition to win £1,000. The competition closes on 30 September.

To join the Community Network and enter the film competition go to Locality’s website.

Backed by Trinity Mirror, publisher of the Daily Mirror, the Big Lottery Fund’s Power to Change initiative will use £150 million of funds raised by National Lottery players to support community enterprises across England.

The Power to Change Trust is currently applying for the endowment of £150 million from the Big Lottery Fund and this process is expected to be completed by the end of the year. It is envisaged that the Trust will be up and running early in 2015.

 Further information about Power to Change can be found atwww.biglotteryfund.org.uk/powertochange and by following @BiglfCommunity#PowerToChange

For updates follow @UnLtd and #powertochange

 

 

 

Contact details:
For more press information or to request interviews please contact Richard Emmett on 07860 432810 or email: richardemmett@unltd.org.uk

 

 

Notes to editors

Representatives from organisations in each of the following case studies are available.

Dalgarno Community Trust
The Dalgarno Trust in London is a young, vibrant charity that focuses on working within the community and in partnership with local statutory and voluntary partners and social enterprises.

Established in 2004, the Trust is based in the far northern tip of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. It is a community anchor, dedicated to enriching the lives of the local people, and works with a vastly diverse collection of community groups of all ages who use its services and extensive facilities to support their activities.

Director Vicki Davies says: “In the short time of our existence, we’ve made huge steps in partnership with other stakeholders and community members to improve the living conditions of people in the local area.

“A little more than 10 years ago the Evening Standard branded the area “one of the worst housing ghettos in Britain” when the Crime and Disorder Audit revealed a rate of calls for assistance of 75 per 1,000 residents.

“Today there’s little resemblance to this level of unrest. Our commitment to the community now is as strong as it ever has been, having received funds for the renovation and refurbishment of the community centre in 2012 and the work now completed, we’re thrilled to be entering into a new phase of development.”

The Trust runs youth projects, a café and catering facilities. A revamped gym and fitness amenities, refurbished function rooms and a hub designed for and dedicated to the development of micro businesses are just some of the exciting projects it is now undertaking to make sure it continues to build better futures for local people.

www.dalgarnotrust.org.uk/

 

 

The Shop at Strood Green
The Shop at Strood Green is an award-winning community shop set up and run by the residents living in and around Strood Green, near Brockham in Surrey.

The project to preserve a shop in the village began in 2005 when the then shop-owners closed the sub-post office in the shop, at which stage a campaign was started and a committee was formed to look at acquiring the premises by the community.

The new shop eventually opened its doors in March 2009 since when a dedicated team of volunteers has created a true village shop, at the heart of the community, where people come not just to shop, but to meet and exchange news, conversation and laughter. In 2010 the shop won the “Rural Oscars” Countryside Alliance Award for Best Village Shop in the South East.

Right from the start, the shop has surpassed all expectations and soon needed more space. In 2012 the village were given the opportunity to extend the shop and acquire the flat above it, and with the help of Surrey County Council and a successful community share offer, enough money was raised to nearly double the retail space and make an attractive café area. 

The shop sells newspapers, magazines, dairy and plenty of regular groceries, alongside a good range of locally sourced products: jams, chutneys, cheeses, butter, ice-cream, sausages and bacon, homemade cakes, scones, local seasonal vegetables, pies, pastries, wines and ales. It has more than 20 local suppliers and also rents space to local craft-makers, holds regular local food and craft fairs, and displays local artists’ work on its café walls.

The shop also bakes off several varieties of fresh breads, baguettes and pastries every day, and the café does a roaring trade in sandwiches, cream teas, quiches and cakes by the slice. Every Tuesday there is a “Knit-and-natter” session in the café for local people to get together, and the shop is a firm favourite for passing cyclists and rambling groups.

There is an internet terminal for public use, and a public high-volume, A4 photocopier which also serves as a good quality printer for the public computer, plus free WiFi. Having lost its Post Office, the shop runs its own post point which enables residents to send letters and parcels nationally and internationally, with special delivery and recorded delivery available. It is one of a tiny handful of shops in the country running such a service.

The shop is a community benefit society, which means that surplus profits (after reinvestment in the business) are be distributed to good causes in the village and surrounds.

There is a great team of full-time and part-time members of staff and volunteers, with manager Christine Nolan in charge of the day-to-day running of the shop.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Shop-at-Strood-Green/266799093332221

www.theshopatstroodgreen.co.uk/

Community Therapies & Training Service
Community Therapies & Training Service (CTTS) is a registered not-for-profit social enterprise that provides focused support to individuals, families and communities who are experiencing life difficulties, health problems or mental health problems.

Based in London, CTTS offers talking therapies, community development and social empowerment models to help people feel better, happier and lead fulfilled lives. It also supports family members, carers, friends and organisations who have a supportive role in the lives of people who are experiencing life difficulties, health problems or mental health problems.

The enterprise draws on the work its directors have been doing over the past 10 years across a range of sectors including health, mental health, enterprise, community development, culture and diversity and psychological therapies.

Naomi Mwasambili, founder and managing director, explains: “Our social mission is to 'Create Healthy Minds for Healthy Lives'. We want to improve the mental and emotional wellbeing of individuals, families, communities, and organisations, prevent mental illness and reduce social isolation.

“We also address healthcare inequalities faced disadvantaged communities and people with long-term physical health conditions by providing culturally and socially adapted services. By 2016 we aim to be a leading provider of services in the areas of emotional wellbeing and mental health. This will help many excluded groups gain access to services earlier preventing frequent GP visits and hospital admissions.”

CTTS also aims to reduce stigma and discrimination around topics of emotional wellbeing and mental ill health by 2016, leading to community cohesion and the development of community champions who support people within the community with physical health and/or mental health problems.

www.ctts.org.uk/

 

Action for Autism Families
Community entrepreneur Ginny Tinkler has ambitions to go nationwide with her support service for families with autistic children.

Her enterprise, Action for Autism Families (AFAF), already supports more than 50 families in the community of East Cleveland in the North East of England.

Ginny, who has an autistic child herself, started AFAF in 2012 to provide support groups, one-to-one help, information and signposting for other mums and dads in a similar situation.

“It’s been amazing,” she says. “Our parents group is going really well and we are working with over 50 families already in this area who are supporting and giving information to each other.

“There’s a great need for this sort of service in communities up and down the country. We’ve grown as far as we can in East Cleveland. We now want to support more families in more areas and, eventually, we would like to become a country-wide service.”

Ginny has been supported by UnLtd’s Star People programme which provides a tailored package of funding and support to individuals who have enterprising ideas that can improve their area, both big and small, and which they are willing to lead.

www.facebook.com/ActionForAutismFamilies

 

 

About UnLtd
UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and offers the largest such network in the world. It resources more than 1,000 individuals each year through its core Awards programme.

UnLtd puts people at the heart of what it does and reaches out to find passionate, talented, resourceful people who are determined to tackle the key issues facing society. Its focus is on helping greater numbers of people to start up as social entrepreneurs, enabling those who want - and can - to scale up their impact.

UnLtd aims to develop collaboration and networks that will create an ecosystem of support, through delivering support to social entrepreneurs in partnership with social investors and delivery partners. It operates a unique model by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resources; from awards of funding between £500 and £250,000 to ongoing advice, networking and practical support.

UnLtd is the trading name for The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs: www.unltd.org.uk

Follow us: @UnLtd and www.facebook.com/UnLtd

 

About Locality
Locality is the leading nationwide network of community enterprises, development trusts, settlements and social action centres. Locality’s membership has expertise in community asset ownership, community enterprise, collaborative working, community voice and advocacy. Locality assists people to work together to create and capture local wealth for the benefit of communities – helping to set up local organisations, giving hands-on support to existing organisations and promoting peer-to-peer exchange.

Locality is running the My Community Rights support service with advice and grants for the Community Rights, Neighbourhood Planning and Our Place programmes. It is also the UK expert on asset transfer and leading the Community Organisers programme mobilising people across England to take social action.

Locality was created through the merger of the Development Trusts Association and bassac and commenced formal operation in April 2011. Find out more about Locality and becoming a member on Locality’s website. Follow us: @localitynews and facebook.com/localityUK  

 

About the Plunkett Foundation
The Plunkett Foundation is an award winning organisation founded in 1919 that helps predominantly rural communities to set up community-led enterprises as a response to the issues facing them. Plunkett’s specialisms include community engagement, community-led assets and services, community enterprise approaches and rural development.

Best known for helping communities to save their local shops and pubs, Plunkett has been involved in the development of a wide range of community-led enterprises including community food enterprises and community enterprises in faith buildings. Our support ranges from start-up support through all stages of developing to providing membership schemes to enable existing community enterprises to access discounted services and suppliers. Plunkett runs a number of peer-to-peer networks including the Community Shops Network (www.communityshops.coop), Co-operative Pubs Network (www.pubs.coop) and the Woodland Social Enterprise Network (http://www.plunkett.co.uk/whatwedo/WoodlandSocEntNetwork.cfm). 

Find out more about Plunkett on Plunkett’s website

Follow us: @PlunkettFoundat and https://www.facebook.com/plunkettfoundation

 

About Big Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund has contracted Locality, UnLtd and the Plunkett Foundation to inspire and support community-led enterprises ahead of the launch of the Power to Change Trust next year. This support will provide community enterprises with expertise and guidance to develop their plans but is not a guarantee of future funding from Power to Change.

The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery.

The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 it has awarded close to £6bn. In the year ending 31 March 2013, 28% of total National Lottery revenue was awarded to projects. Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £31 billion has been raised and more than 400,000 grants awarded