Nicole provides strategic and operational communications support to colleagues across Power to Change and leads on our stakeholder engagement strategy. She plays a key part in our external communications by acting as the lead for our website and social media, along with PR and marketing.
Department
Ryde on the Isle of Wight has a rich cultural and artistic history - with one of the UK’s oldest carnivals taking place in the town. Shademakers UK are helping to tell the story of Ryde’s creative past by restoring a 300-year-old former department store. They are very hopeful that the project will create pride in the area and bring more people to the town centre.
Sparks
When a flagship department store closed in Bristol, two local organisations took on a mission to revive the building and help regenerate the city centre. Sparks, the reimagined department store, opened in 2023. With more than 750,000 visitors to date, they’ve made a significant impact on their community by creating a vibrant space for everyone and attracting new people and businesses to the area.
Haven Community Hub
Westcliff-on-Sea is a suburb of the popular seaside city of Southend-on-Sea. Westcliff is undergoing an exciting transformation, emerging as a thriving hub for businesses and a vibrant destination for the Southend community. Central to this is the community-led revival of a historic department store.
Dewsbury Arcade
In 2016, a Victorian Arcade in Dewsbury closed after the number of shoppers fell drastically. Dewsbury Arcade remained empty for seven years. Now, a community is determined to refurbish the Grade II listed site and inspire further investment in Dewsbury. They want to create the UK’s first community-run shopping arcade and pave the way for the transformation of the town centre.
Department stories: How communities are reimagining a national institution
Once a destination for generations of shoppers, department stores are on the decline. But community businesses are repurposing vacant department stores and town centre shopping spaces, driving new footfall to their town centres through vibrant offers that meet the needs of their community.
Café Laziz
This Kindred investee is using food to support refugees and asylum seekers, build connections, and break down barriers with the local community.
Annual Report 2023
Our 2023 annual report reviews the ninth year of Power to Change’s operations.
It covers the grants we made and our future plans, alongside a financial review of 2023 and our statutory accounts.
Roots of renewal: Empowering communities, transforming Britain
This manifesto sets out how the new Government can help to create the conditions for community business to thrive.
Getting it right: Introducing and implementing a Community Right to Buy
This report offers detailed guidance for the Government on how to implement a Community Right to Buy. It is based on almost 10 years of knowledge working with communities and in-depth interviews with community leaders, politicians, civil servants and others.
The role of Community Energy in a Just Transition to Net Zero
This policy report highlights the support needed from government, local authorities, electricity systems operators, and funders to unlock the potential of Community Energy Businesses (CEBs) in achieving a Net Zero future.
Community Life Survey Hyperlocal Booster Report
Reporting on Kantar Public’s difference-in-difference analysis of the hyperlocal version of the Community Life Survey.
Getting started with Community Improvement Districts
This Community Improvements Districts guidance helps communities imagine new possibilities for high streets, and gives readers the tools they need to make those possibilities a reality.
Community business and climate action
Scoping and analysing community business’ role in the transition to a fairer, greener economy
Heeley Trust
Sheffield-based charity, The Heeley Trust, owns and manages multiple community-owned spaces across Heeley and Meersbrook as well as community bike shop, A Different Gear.
Witton Lodge Community Association
Community anchor organisation in Birmingham, providing over 200 affordable homes for local residents. They transformed derelict land into useable green space and turned the old park keepers cottage into an eco community facility, reducing energy costs by 55%
Fordhall Farm
England's first community-owned, chemical-free farm in Shropshire. Educates on sustainable farming and supports local communities.
Derwent Valley Car Club
Electric car club in County Durham tackling rural isolation and environmental issues
Heart of BS13
Anchor community organisation tackling climate change and socio-economic issues in a deprived area of Bristol
Ambition Community Energy
England's largest community-owned wind turbine powering over 3,000 homes in Lawrence Weston.
Five years of Empowering Places: evaluation report
Empowering Places was a unique five-year programme designed by Power to Change to explore ways in which ‘locally rooted’ anchor organisations, operating in areas of high deprivation, could be supported to catalyse community businesses...
