About

About Us

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The National Program 

Big Local is a National Lottery funded programme which committed £1m each to 150 neighbourhoods across England. 

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In terms of scale, time horizon and ethos, nothing like Big Local has ever existed. Designed from the outset to be radically different from other funding programmes, at the heart of Big Local is a vision of empowered, resilient, dynamic, asset-rich communities making their own decisions on what is best for their area. 

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The Local Story

Somers Town Big Local is led by an unincorporated partnership of local residents and supported by CREST, their Locally Trusted Organisation, who is charged with stewardship of the Big Local funding under a contract with Local Trust. Investment of Big Local funding is aligned with local plans which are developed by the local resident partnership based on consultation with the local community, assessed by Local Trust and managed via grant agreements with the Locally Trusted Organisation.

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Consultation with the local community, and the Big Local plan for 2021 – 2025 that this informed, identified a number of priorities for Big Local investment. In particular, an ambition was established to create a community hub as a legacy for Somers Town Big Local. A feasibility study was commissioned, which did not identify a viable option and subsequent examination of alternatives has confirmed that creation of a new community hub is not achievable during the remaining life of Somers Town Big Local. Drawing together and making better use of existing community facilities is, however, a viable prospect.

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​This outcome of this effective community engagement and work to identify a community hub had been anticipated by Somers Town Big Local and a ‘Plan B’ was incorporated into the 2021 – 2025 plan, which identified alternative priorities:
• Supporting the Local Economy
• Bringing People Together
• Cleaner, Greener, Safer Somers Town
• Engaging Young People

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Since the 2021-25 plan was agreed, and the feasibility study for a community hub completed, Somers Town Big Local’s ambitions have moved towards the development of community investment in Somers Town, building on the understanding of community needs that has been informed by effective community engagement through the life of the Big Local. This thinking splits into two streams:
• Support for larger, strategic projects.
• The establishment of Somers Town Incubator Service, to provide support for new and smaller community organisations including access to a Big Local grant pot and, potentially, external fundraising. If successful, this may incorporate as an independent charity, providing a long-term legacy for Somers Town Big Local.