Blog

As the Powering Up programme re-opens for applications, we take a look at how it works and what's in...

A dizzying array of funds with similar names were announced at the budget this week, many which fell...

Meeting the grantees using their grants to support their communities through the Covid-19 crisis.

The Better Way Network is a network of Leaders who want to improve services and build strong communi...

What do we mean by 'better places'? Can community businesses really transform their local areas?

Could you support the next generation of community energy organisations?

Programme manager Bonnie Hewson reflects on the progress of the programme

We need to give communities the power and capital to shape their neighbourhoods

Meeting the grantees using their grants to support their communities through the pandemic

In this blog series, we’re looking back at this difficult, unforgettable year and the many ways Powe...

In this blog series, we’re looking back at this difficult, unforgettable year and the many ways Powe...

In this blog series, we’re looking back at this difficult, unforgettable year and the many ways Powe...

In this blog series, we’re looking back at this difficult, unforgettable year and the many ways Powe...

In this blog series, we’re looking back at this difficult, unforgettable year and the many ways Powe...

Lauren Pennycook, Senior Policy and Development Officer at Carnegie UK Trust, looks at the learnings...

As we say goodbye to Mark Gordon, he reflects on his time working with community business

Charlotte Cassedanne and Rose Seagrief look back at the development of the CCLORS fund

We need to change the way we talk about the challenges of community business, says Bonnie Hewson

Our aims to put community at the heart of town centres, by Policy Manager, Nick Plumb.

Vidhya Alakeson looks ahead to the Government's 2020 spending review

By unlocking the power of community, local authorities can create more responsive services, says Loc...

Power to Change has launched two new matched funding programmes. So how are they different?

The New Civic High Street was the culmination of a series of webinars run by Power to Change, lookin...

Last year, Nesta's 100 Day Challenge launched in Liverpool. Here we, Nesta and Liverpool City Counci...

The second of the Power to Change High Streets webinar series on 14th October investigated the issue...

Communications and Partnerships Director Mark Gordon says goodbye to two founding members of the Com...

Choose Communities: Buy Social will be taking place from 15-17 October and is a chance to raise the ...

Power to Change brought together a panel to discuss governance models to enable the formal participa...

A brief update regarding the latest legal requirements for the hospitality sector, to tackle the ris...

Our unique learning approach, innovation in grant funding and Power to Change’s community business e...

Communities Week 2020: an annual celebration of all of the work by people, businesses and organisati...

Liz Zeidler, Chief Executive of Centre for Thriving Places, explores the role of wellbeing in growin...

Outlining the importance of civil society in post-Covid planning, how that influences and impacts re...

On 13-14 August, Power to Change hosted the first ever online Community Business Festival, showcasin...

With our partners, we have launched a support package for community businesses including a range of ...

We’re offering 20 free places to help community businesses with their finances

Simon Kaye introduces NLGN's new project, Shifting the Balance of Community Power

How can community cafes and pubs safely attract customers back through their doors?

As lockdown eases, Steve Sharma considers how communication has changed forever

Charlotte Cassedanne, Head of Communications at Power to Change, shares some tips

Our Policy Manager, Tom Hamilton Shaw, reacts to the Grimsey review

Community Energy England launch Community Energy Fortnight online

This Community Energy Fortnight, Will Walker reflects on the success so far, and what comes next

Vidhya Alakeson writes about the future of high streets post-lockdown for the Financial Times

Kate Stewart takes stock of how we have responded to the COVID-19 crisis within our communities

Rianna Raymond-Williams highlights the work Ubele are doing to support BAME communities

Erika Rushton shares her thoughts on how Liverpool businesses have responded to the crisis

Paul Gutherson reflects on the potential for post COVID-19 recovery in communities.

Hannah Ormston of the Carnegie UK Trust reflects on community asset transfers and how they can stren...

Find out how community businesses can play a key role in harnessing all the goodwill that has been u...

Vidhya Alakeson, our CEO, outlines our response

Community business leader Bill Graham reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on community business

What we're doing to support vital, locally based, frontline organisations

We will be updating this blog as new packages of support are announced by Government

Protecting the most vulnerable in our neighbourhoods

Our CEO Vidhya Alakeson breaks down the budget and what it means for our communities

When you give local people real power, extraordinary things can happen

The final IWD post features a woman who works to improve young people's lives in Keighley

The third IWD post features one of the founding members of Kitty's Launderette in Liverpool

In the second IWD post, we spoke to MP Kim Johnson about being a woman in business and politics

To mark International Women’s Day (IWD) 2020, we spoke to the founder of Hackney Herbal CIC

From books to energy, Jonathan Atkinson is well-versed in the world of community business

The Health and Social Care Community of Practice reflect on the role of volunteer coordinators

The community-led regeneration champion reflects on her experiences

Community Business Weekend is an annual, national celebration

Currently, there are 11.3 million adults in the UK lacking one or more basic digital skills

The community business founder and social entrepreneur looks back on her experience

As we celebrate our fifth birthday, we're outlining the two commitments we’re making this year

CEO Vidhya Alakeson reflects on how the UK’s departure from the EU will affect the sector

For Community Business Weekend 2020, we will be working with ambassadors covering every region

For Rosie Wild, learning about the community businesses working for young people was one of her stan...

As the dust settles from the outcome of the General Election, Vidhya Alakeson reflects on the result

Community business leaders from around the country look at the potential for health and social care

The development trust specialist reflects on his time working in communities

Next Generation consortium member and partner at Everoze, Felicity Jones, shares her learnings

The community building expert and chief executive of B-Inspired shares her experience

The Rural Community Business Awards celebrates the achievements of rural community businesses

Community energy pioneer shares his wisdom

A blog by Power to Change CEO Vidhya Alakeson

In the run up to Power to Change's In Our Hands event with Wirral Council, we went on a tour of comm...

From Monday 21st October – Friday 1st November, Power to Change will be hosting a community pub craw...

It has been a busy party conference season at Power To Change. Our CEO, Vidhya Alakeson, Ailbhe McNa...

A new guide and webinar, designed to help community businesses understand and work with local govern...

In Communities Week it’s nice to celebrate success stories, and there’s much to give us cheer in a n...

Community business is at the heart of local change and this Communities Week, Power to Change are sh...

What it takes for communities to be in the lead of their own health

As high streets continue to struggle, we need to look at alternative ways to ensure they return to b...

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has released a new framework that sets ho...

Yvonne Field, Founder and Director of the Ubele Initiative, recently shared her learnings at the Jam...

A IPPR North/Power to Change long blog by Vidhya Alakeson and Jack Hunter

Discover BUD's steps in the cycle to become an empowering leader

The fourth edition of Community Business Weekend took place this month from 16-19 May.

Giles Piercy, who is part of Power to Change’s Community of Practice looking at health and social ca...

Suzanne Perry, Power to Change Research Officer and Hanan Farah, CharityWorks Taster Associate

As Community Business Weekend approaches (16-19 May), Alice Wharton from Co-operatives UK reflects o...

Inspired by last week's event which launched the recent report published by Power to Change by the H...

Guest blogger Nina Edge, an artist and campaigner from Liverpool 8 reflects on the Power to Change g...

Some of the best romantic gifts and Valentine’s Day activities community businesses have to offer

Community businesses met up to discuss a challenge they face every day

Community business leader Bill Graham explores various views on social prescribing

Bradford and Power to Change are celebrating their first TEDx together this week on 16th of January....

Co-operatives' Booster Programme Manager, Alice Wharton, explains the methodology behind looking thr...

What role can community business play in reimagining the high street? Vidhya Alakeson explores

The top five learnings from our recent state of the community business market report!

The community business movement in Liverpool is taking root, supporting positive change all over the...

Read some top tips on setting up a successful community cafe from a successful community cafe in Bri...

Want to know more about the M&S Community Business Challenge? Watch this film to get insights from t...

Taking responsibility for how we can do things differently in health and social care

Some conclusions on the recent People's Powerhouse Conference in Bradford

Pete Swallow, Head of Merseyside, Isle of Man and North Wales Region of M&S discusses how the import...

B Inspired in Leicester is a community business working to change Braunstone in Leicester for the be...

Anya Hobbs from Marsh Farm Futures

Hannah Sloggett's top tips to breathe new life into the high street

Some thoughts from Anya Hobbs on the potential of Marsh Farm Futures in improving the quality of lif...

Here's why you should head to Bristol next week!

Vidhya Alakeson on what the Budget announcements mean for saving our high streets

Anne Short from B Inspired Leicester discusses the second Power to Change grantee event

Charlotte Hollins from Fordhall Community Land Initiative shares her three top tips for launching a ...

Our CEO, Vidhya Alakeson asks the question this party conference season

Angie Wright shares with us her experience of taking the Braunstone Grove into community hands.

Ahead of her talk at the FT's Investment for Good conference, Vidhya Alakeson sets out the case for ...

Our CEO, Vidhya Alakeson highlights how we can work closer with communities this Communities Week

Why we've launched a podcast

What role can community business play in delivering sustainable social care?

A review of the Power Up! grantee event for community businesses.

What the Civil Society Strategy will mean for community businesses.

Submit your evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the rural economy!

A new toolkit to meet the challenges of BME-led community organisations.

The story of a quiet revolution in housing taking place in the unexpected town of Keswick.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has announced it intends to abolish subs...

Our Research Officer, Suzanne, attended the launch of Local Trust's latest research

Why community businesses have a role to play in keeping high streets alive

Our Director of Programmes explains why Power to Change is backing community-run pubs.

Happy Pride from everyone at Power to Change!

Jodie Giles from community energy business Regen explains her four lessons from peer networking

Today we are publishing our 2017 annual report.

With 225 events held, a massive 55% increase from last year, more people are finding out how they ca...

Raise a glass and say #CheersToBeer this Beer Day at your local community pub!

Useful dos and don’ts for community businesses who are starting out.

A consortium of organisations has been working with community businesses to define a positive, inspi...

There is money to be made from all that heritage, reflects our Director of Communications and Partne...

How can we make people-powered health the mainstream? Vidhya Alakeson explores...

A podcast exploring some of the ways local people have taken local power by running community busine...

The benefits of communities taking responsibility for their health and wellbeing

How can we change power dynamics in the health sector? Halima Khan explores...

Do community businesses need a stronger relationship with councils?

Join 500 community businesses in England to celebrate community business

Delicious meals with a social justice purpose

Human interaction and emotion will be key to moving beyond a corporate capitalism.

Why people get involved with community businesses

A comparative study of community businesses

Community-led housing in the spotlight

Valentine’s gifts with heart

Vidhya Alakeson looks at the role of communities in creating social infrastructure for a stronger #s...

On the occasion of their third birthday, Vidhya Alakeson reflects on the three things she has been m...

Community-led housing can bring so many benefits

Tips learnt from the Wavelength Conference which all community business leaders should aim to rememb...

The history of community business, of course.

Community energy groups cleaned up at the Green Energy Awards 2017.

Highlights from the first ever community-led housing conference

More and more people are opting for tiny homes with lower-running costs, lower ecological footprint ...

Local people building their own homes and reinvesting profits into local training and employment.

Why we need Localism to get the economy moving

What questions should we be asking about community accountability?

Ged Devlin reflects on the SITR stats

How can civic trusts help to reform data governance, 800 years after the Charter of the Forest.

Bill Graham shares why he values local, city-wide and national community business networks.

For the third year in a row, Power to Change are sponsoring the Locality Convention

We benchmark all the time. It is just that we tend not to call it that.

Last weekend saw 200+ community business opened their doors for #CBwkd17

Party conference season is a good time to take the temperature of what different parties are thinkin...

Part-time workers have different needs. It's important for organisations to support them.

What do communities need if they are to build their own homes?

What do the Labour party, Bernie Sanders and The Bristol Cable, a community-owned newspaper, have in...

Why doodling on your windows is a trick not to miss for community businesses

Bill Graham reflects on his own successful and unsuccessful moments as the leader of a community bus...

9 tips, gleaned from community businesses themselves, to get yourself on the map.

Why Power to Change is opening up its grants data

Victoria shares her experience coming out and the support on offer at her local community business

We need better data on social investment – and we need to make better use of what we have.

A new social care system is a prize worth fighting for

Is Theresa May prepared to give away power?

People want good homes in the areas they love. Communities can lead the way.

We want to be able to set out the principles for meaningful involvement of members.

Politicians are in election mode. We must tell them what we care about

Tips and tools from social movement makers at Marmalade '17

Public assets are on the frontline when we decide what we want our communities to look like

How to join people all over the country who are stepping up to help their communities

Power to Change explores community shares and the long history of social lending

It is time for the government to change its role in local communities

More and more it is up to community businesses and voluntary organisations to deliver social change...

Community businesses give back control to local people

How community business supports mental wellbeing