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’ new community businesses. The programme hypothesised that this, in turn, would contribute to an overarching vision of more prosperous places, with more jobs and opportunities for local people.
All East Midlands
“Levelling the playing field” by offering free resource packs for positive thinking, this community business is now trying to place town centre buildings in the hands of Coalville’s community.
Community-owned pub The Thorold in rural Lincolnshire is acting as an entry point into work for a new generation of young residents.
The Anglers Rest was saved from closure in 2011, when 300 people from the rural Bamford community pooled their money to buy it. Now, it’s an invaluable hub that offers vital amenities and services.
A community hub serving one the most diverse communities in England
In 2014, Wellingborough Council decided it couldn’t afford to keep a day centre for the elderly open so residents, left reeling by its closure, stepped up and took it on.
Supporting women and young adults into arts, culture, education, tech and science
Creating a community space for gardening and wellbeing
Bringing the less mobile members of the community to a vibrant community centre
A community bookshop preserving access to literature for everyone