Synopsis
At a time when many parts of the UK face cuts, neglect and social problems, local people are starting community businesses to take control, and make sure their local areas survive and stay vibrant. They are doing this because no one understands a community better than the people who live there. They are reviving local assets, protecting the services people rely on, and addressing local needs. Here are some of their extraordinary stories.
Episodes
-
Bonus episode: Navigating legal structures
22/09/2020 Duration: 08minIn our last episode we learnt about a Windmill that had taken on charity status to better serve the local community. In this bonus episode Sheffield Live's Steve Buckley gives us a gentle introduction to legal structures.
-
How a windmill helped a community in lockdown
08/09/2020 Duration: 23minIn this episode, we’re heading to South London. We're learning how a group of locals united to restore an unusual local landmark and more recently, supply hundreds of bags of flour for a community in lockdown. We’re off to the Brixton Windmill!
-
Bonus episode: how to raise community shares
25/08/2020 Duration: 08minIn our last episode we heard from Rebecca McIntyre from the Anglers Rest pub in Derbyshire. Today, she's back to give us some essential tips about how to raise community shares and save a local asset.
-
We saved a pub!
11/08/2020 Duration: 22minThe Anglers Rest in Bamford is a treasured pub where people from around the Peak District go not only to eat and drink, but to socialise, share stories and listen to live music. In 2012, the pub came under threat and the community decided to take action. Today’s podcast tells the tale of how a determined group in Derbyshire saved the last pub in their village and reignited the community’s spirit.
-
Introducing: Then One Day...
06/08/2020 Duration: 01minThe new series from Power to Change, coming soon.
-
Powering our future: how community energy groups are tackling the climate crisis
31/07/2019 Duration: 24minAs temperatures soar and global resources come increasingly under threat, the reality of the climate crisis has never been clearer. In this episode, we explore how communities can run their own renewable energy projects, such as YEALM and Brighton Energy and reinvest the profits into their community. Show Notes: The Next Generation programme is a £1m+ fund and expert support programme, created by Power to Change to pioneer innovative community-led energy projects and business models. Existing community energy businesses will be supported to develop into holistic energy businesses that provide benefits across their local community. Find out more: www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/programmes/next-generation-community-energy-programme/ The M&S Community Business Challenge is coming to Bradford and Bristol in 2019. Community businesses can apply for mentoring from M&S and a small Power to Change grant. Find out more: www.communitybusinesschallenge.co.uk/ The Community Business Fund designed to support e
-
Trailer: Powering our future: how community energy groups are tackling climate change
22/07/2019 Duration: 01minAs temperatures soar and global resources come increasingly under threat, the reality of climate change has never been clearer. In this episode, we explore how communities can run their own renewable energy projects, such as YEALM and Brighton Energy and reinvest the profits into their community.
-
Loving the whole rainbow: how community businesses can be inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ and beyond
01/07/2019 Duration: 24minTo celebrate Pride month, we’re shining a light on how community businesses can be places where people can explore their sexuality & gender identity safely. In this episode, we visit the Proud Trust’s Sidney Street community café in Manchester to find out how this LGBTQ+ venue creates opportunities for everyone. Show Notes: Find out more about Sidney Street Cafe - https://www.theproudtrust.org/sidney-street-cafe/ Find out Why #PrideMatters to Community Business https://www.powertochange.org.uk/blog/pridematters-community-business/ News The M&S Community Business Challenge is coming to Bradford and Bristol in 2019. Community businesses can apply for mentoring from M&S and a small Power to Change grant. Find out more: www.communitybusinesschallenge.co.uk/ The Community Business Fund designed to support existing community businesses with grants to help them progress towards self-sufficiency. It will be re-opening for applications in September 2019. Find out more: www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/progr
-
Trailer: Loving the whole rainbow: how community businesses can be inclusive for LGBT+ and beyond
14/06/2019 Duration: 01minTo celebrate Pride month, we’re shining a light on how community businesses can be places where people can explore their sexuality & gender identity safely. In this episode, we visit the Proud Trust’s Sidney Street community café in Manchester to find out how this LGBTQ+ venue creates opportunities for everyone.
-
Swimming in the fast lane: Leisure centres in community hands
31/05/2019 Duration: 24minMany councils are struggling to keep leisure centres afloat. But communities like the ones in Stocksbridge and Bramley are stepping in to make leisure centres continue to provide essential health and wellbeing service to local people, while being sustainable businesses. Join us as we discover their journey and tips to taking over a leisure centre. Show Notes The M&S Community Business Challenge is coming to Bradford and Bristol in 2019. Community businesses can apply for mentoring from M&S and a small Power to Change grant. Find out more http://www.communitybusinesschallenge.co.uk/ Community shares are an ideal way for communities to invest in businesses that serve a community purpose. Through this programme, we offer support to get a community share offer off the ground and match fund it when you meet your target. Find out more – www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/programmes/community-shares/ Check out our #CommunityBusinessMatters video, featuring Bramley Baths. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LFmYSm
-
Trailer: Swimming in the fast lane: Leisure centres in community hands
16/05/2019 Duration: 01minMany councils are struggling to keep leisure centres afloat. But communities like the ones in Stocksbridge and Bramley are stepping in to make leisure centres continue to provide essential health and wellbeing service to local people while being sustainable businesses. Join us as we discover their journey and tips to taking over a leisure centre. The show launches on the 1st of June 2019.
-
Pitching in: how community football takes root
29/04/2019 Duration: 21minDerelict land and cuts to youth services spur some people to action. We interview Target Football CIC to find out how to set up community football services for local people, and their ambitious expansion plans, supported by the likes of M&S. News: The M&S Community Business Challenge is coming to Plymouth, Bradford and Bristol in 2019. Community businesses can apply for mentoring from M&S and a small Power to Change grant. Find out more http://www.communitybusinesschallenge.co.uk/ The Community Business Fund is now open for applications until 22 May. It offers grants between £50,000 and £300,000 to help existing community businesses become more sustainable. There will be an additional round in September. Find out more https://www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/programmes/community-business-fund/ Get support for your community sports club from members network Supporters Direct https://supporters-direct.org Check out other community football case studies - East Lancashire Football Development Association
-
Trailer: Pitching in: how community football takes root
26/04/2019 Duration: 01minDerelict land and cuts to youth services spur some people to action. We interview Target Football CIC to find out how to set up community football services for local people, and their ambitious expansion plans, supported by the likes of M&S. The episode launches on the 1st of May 2019.
-
Life after council cuts: Inside England’s community run libraries
01/04/2019 Duration: 26minWith councils struggling to keep libraries open, communities across the country are stepping in to save and manage them. In our latest episode, we visit some of these community-managed libraries, like Corbett Community Library in London, to understand the impact a community can make when they take them over and tips on how you can do the same News: Follow the links for useful case studies on community managed libraries (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-is-community-business/stories/kensal-rise-library/), (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/research/case-studies-collaborative-community-businesses/) and information regarding the Community Managed Libraries Network (https://communitylibrariesnetwork.wordpress.com/) For funding opportunities head to (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/programmes/) to see the full list of programmes we have on offer including (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/programmes/community-business-fund/) opening soon. Remember to sign up to our newsletter (ht
-
Trailer: Life after council cuts: Inside England’s community run libraries
20/03/2019 Duration: 01minWith councils struggling to keep libraries open, communities across the country are stepping in to save and manage them. In our latest episode, we visit some of these community-managed libraries, like Corbett Community Library in London, to understand the impact a community can make when they take them over and tips on how you can do the same.
-
Tackling Food Poverty The Community Led Way
28/02/2019 Duration: 29minCommunity food projects are helping not only to address food poverty, but allowing people to lead healthier and happier lives. Join us in the next episode when we visit Bentley Urban farm and hear how this community business is improving the lives of people living in Doncaster. Show Notes You can read the full case study on Bentley Urban Farm on the Power to Change website (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-is-community-business/stories/permafuture-agroecology-ltd/) More useful case studies (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-is-community-business/stories/forty-hall-vineyard/), (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-is-community-business/stories/transition-town-wigan-greenslate-farm/) and funding news (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/news/1-34m-fund-support-community-food-farming-businesses/) Discover other useful resources (http://www.feanetwork.org/our-projects/loans-for-enlightened-agriculture-programme) For more funding opportunities for your community business, including the Community Busine
-
Trailer: Tackling food poverty the community-led way
21/02/2019 Duration: 01minCommunity food projects are helping not only to address food poverty, but allowing people to lead healthier and happier lives. Join us in the next episode when we visit Bentley Urban farm and hear how this community business is improving the lives of people living in Doncaster.
-
Housing Crisis Solutions For A Broken Market
01/02/2019 Duration: 32minFrom condemned streets to the Turner Prize - find out how the residents of Granby Four Streets transformed their condemned terraced homes, creating a thriving market, affordable housing and winning the biggest prize in British art. Brick by brick, community organisations are creating new models for housing that put residents at the front and centre. Find out about this growing movement and learn what support is available. https://www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/programmes/community-housing/ • You can read the full case study for Granby Four Streets CLT on the Power to Change website (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-is-community-business/stories/granby-four-streets/ ) • Discover useful resources and funding opportunities about Power to Change’s Homes in Community Hands programme website (https://www.communityledhomes.org.uk/ ) • More useful case studies (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/research/bristol-community-land-trust-case-study-1/ ) and research reports (https://www.powertochange.org.uk
-
Trailer: Housing Crisis: Solutions for a broken market
23/01/2019 Duration: 01minFrom condemned streets to the Turner Prize: find out how the residents of Granby Four Streets created a thriving market, affordable housing and won the biggest prize in British art. Brick by brick, community organisations are creating new models for housing that put residents at the front and centre. Find out about this growing movement and learn what support is available.
-
Finding a balance: Wellbeing
31/12/2018 Duration: 32minHow do community business leaders balance the pressures of their work with their personal life and wellbeing? We talk to Shotley Pier and our very own Fergus Arkley to find out. Show Notes You can read case studies for The Bevy (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-is-community-business/stories/the-bevy/) and Shotley Pier (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-is-community-business/stories/shotley-pier/) on Power to Change’s website. Be sure to check out the Power to Change Research Institute Page (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/research/), Support for Grantees page (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/resources/support-for-grantees/) or Peer Networking pages (https://www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/resources/peer-networking/) for more resources. Equally you can find further resources for peer support from: Plunkett Foundation: https://plunkett.co.uk/ Cooperatives UK: https://www.uk.coop/ Eden Project Communities: https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/ Locality: https://locality.org.uk/