Our blog

The latest blogs
Views on communities and more from our team and national thought leaders.

Understanding community life at a hyperlocal level
Power to Change commissioned Kantar to conduct a ‘hyperlocal’ version of the Community Life Survey, focused on six places in England participating in the Empowering Places programme. This blog outlines some initial findings on the relative impact of our work in each area.

Helping community businesses be more resilient with Trade Up
Power to Change’s Trade Up programme has encouraged resilience in community businesses, but most still require further time and support to thrive in the long run – a role that funders can play going forward.

The future of civil society infrastructure funding
Common Vision’s ‘Futures Playbook’ explores how building and resourcing infrastructure can support civil society to be impactful, resilient and adaptive in the future.
The power of in-person events
Bethan Hunt reflects on the 2021 Bradford Learning Camp of the Empowering Places Programme and the power of meeting in-person in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

How can funders support established community businesses?
Renaisi’s evaluation outlines the impact that Community Business Fund had on existing community businesses and recommends ways in which funders can support them going forward.

How can funders support early-stage community businesses?
Renaisi’s evaluation outlines the impact that Bright Ideas had on community groups and early-stage community businesses, and recommends ways in which funders can support them going forward.

The importance of community organisations for local health
Learnings from our first year on the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance.

Theory of Change: Powerful Communities, Better Places
Power to Change’s vision is that by 2025, more communities in England run businesses that give them power to change what matters to them. They create more resilient places that are better to live and work in for everyone. Our mission is to strengthen community...

Evaluating change for Empowering Places
Renaisi’s Lily O’Flynn explores how, mid-programme, we re-visualised the change of the Empowering Places programme using a more dynamic model.
Why now is the time for a High Street Buyout Fund
Power to Change’s Nick Plumb outlines why community ownership on the high street is essential to their survival.

How funders can support community business asset ownership
Asset ownership can have an impact on community businesses and the people they work with. We look at good practices for funders looking to support community businesses with asset acquisition and management.

Recognising the value of community organising
What is community organising? And what potential does it have to tackle local issues? Bonnie Hewson explores.

Year Zero: understanding the impact of our funding
A new approach has been developed to better understand the financial impact of our funding for community businesses. Renaisi’s Mylene Pacot explains all.

Diversity, equity and inclusion update
Laying out our diversity, equity and inclusion plans for the future, and our achievements so far.

The Levelling Up White Paper – what we learned
The Government published its Levelling Up White Paper this week. Power to Change’s Ailbhe McNabola gives her reaction on whether it will deliver for communities.