South East England
Supporting community business
In South East England
Nearly 200 community businesses have received investment from Power to Change since 2015, a significant number of which are community pubs and cafés. These community businesses are providing better access to services, growing greater community cohesion, and improving health and welbeing in their neighbourhoods. Among them is The Bevy, the UK’s first community-owned pub on a housing estate.
The region is home to a number of community energy businesses that are working on bringing solar farms into community ownership, delivering against local needs and priorities.
Orchard Farm Solar Array in north Kent has been up and running since 2016. It is owned by a local non-profit group, Orchard Community Energy, with profits going to support community projects in Swale and Medway. Now there is a great opportunity to bring another solar farm next door into full community ownership through new group Kent Community Energy.
Find out more about how we work in your area
Case studies
FROM the South East
Hip Hop Heals
A Birmingham-based organisation that bridges the gap between hip hop and therapy....
Giroscope
Founded by a group of young radicals in Hull in the 1980s, Giroscope’s self-help housing is regenerating the neighbourhood with a new generation of young...
BlueJam Arts
BlueJam Arts is a dynamic hub for intergenerational music and arts in rural Cumbria which puts young people in the lead of its programmes and operations, and their own creative...
The latest news
from the south east
The energy crisis and community businesses
Power to Change are committed to supporting community businesses to play their role in the fairer, greener...
Levelling Up White Paper: Power to Change responds
Power to Change responds to the publication of the Government's Levelling Up White...
House of Commons committee publishes high street recommendations for government
Power to Change responds to the House of Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee's high streets...