Doing it for ourselves…

By Steve Clare, Deputy CEO, Locality

Lights, camera, action!

Do you have a great idea for a community enterprise? Why not capture it on film and enter our competition to win £1,000.

Send us your short films (2-3 minutes – no longer) about an enterprise you’d like to start in your community. Maybe there’s an empty shop you could imagine transformed into a technology hub or a pub closing down which, with some top music nights, could be the centre of the community. Capture on film (camera or phone) all the weird and wonderful community enterprise ideas which you’ve only dreamt about but which you know would make a difference to people in your community! Films will be judged on their creativity and their potential social impact.

Enter the competition

Power to Change

A new generation of more confident, aspirational community organisations is emerging. People are collaborating within neighbourhoods and wider communities to tackle local problems: empty shops; lack of housing, health and social care needs; unemployment. These initiatives are characterised by a ‘can do’ attitude that seeks to unlock potential in people and places: in short, ’community enterprise’.

The Big Lottery Fund is throwing its weight behind this approach with Power to Change, a £150 million initiative launching later this year that will support community led enterprise across England.

Power to Change will give citizens and communities opportunities to turn their ingenuity and passion into economic, environmental and social value – building on the success of established community enterprises like Coin Street Community Builders, Goodwin Development Trust, Fordhall Farm, Fresh Horizons and Beech Hill Community Shop.

It’s time for change. We know that community enterprise works – there are thousands of success stories to emulate. These enterprises have been created by ordinary people (who become extraordinary in doing so) to make their communities better places to live. We can help you do the same – so grab the opportunity now!

There is lots of support on offer for your community enterprise from expert guidance to free events around the country and top tips on how to set up and run a community enterprise in your local area. Find out more