Big Local was a National Lottery funded programme run by the Local Trust which awarded an area of Keighley £1 million to help improve quality of life for local residents. All decisions about how that money is spent have to be made by people who live, work or play in the area.
The Big Lottery Fund in England invested £200 million in 150 urban and rural communities. These were areas of the country that had been overlooked for funding and resources in the past and faced issues including high levels of unemployment, a decline in industry or a need for new support services.
Each Big Local area received at least £1m Lottery funding over 10 years, which residents themselves were in charge of spending on ways to improve their community. This included creating new facilities for the communities within the area, projects to provide more training and employment opportunities, more activities for older people or improved outdoor spaces.
Big Local was managed by an independent organisation called Local Trust and supported by partner organisations who offered each area support and training opportunities to help residents develop plans and find solutions that worked for their communities. Taking action to help build communities capable not only of spending a £1m Lottery investment but securing more in the future.
What difference did it make?
Over 10 years, Local Trust aimed to achieve the following four outcomes:
- Communities will be better able to identify local needs and take action in response to them.
- People will have increased skills and confidence, so that they continue to identify and respond to needs in the future.
- Priorities identified will make a difference to the local community.
- People will feel that their area is an even better place to live.
Formation of the Big Local Partnership
The Keighley Big Local Partnership was formed in November 2015 and identified the priorities facing Keighley Valley, not as singular objectives or isolated funding needs but to consider all the communities it is here to serve.
The Partnership brought together residents, businesses, community groups and service providers who all shared an interest in delivering the activities outlined in the Keighley Big Local Plan.
The Partnership operated as a unincorporated association with a governing document; a Terms of Reference which outlined the aim of the Partnership – To deliver the Keighley Big Local Plan.
