Big Local is an exciting opportunity for residents to make a massive and lasting positive difference to their communities. Big Local brings together all the local talent, ambitions, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make their area an even better place to live.
Big Local is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and managed by Local Trust. There are 150 Big Local areas in England which have been allocated £1million each. East Coseley was selected as a Big Local area by the Big Lottery Fund in 2011.
A small group of local residents and volunteers spent 2 years spreading the word and getting hundreds of local people involved in shaping a vision for East Coseley. In 2013 they formed a Big Local Partnership, called the Core Group in East Coseley. They created the first Big Local Plan, which was delivered between February 2014 and March 2017. This is the second Big Local Plan for East Coseley.
Big Local isn’t about short-term thinking, or institutions telling residents what to do. Big Local areas have 10 years or more to plan and deliver the best options for their area, led by a Big Local Partnership. The majority of people on the Partnership must be residents of the Big Local area. Local Trust supports a community and resident led approach to creating lasting change. They believe that this approach develops the people’s skills and confidence and enables them to work with others to the benefit of their community. It builds on the opportunities and assets available in each community to create lasting, long term solutions. Underlying this approach is a belief that residents have a capacity and desire to drive change, and can achieve lasting and positive results when supported by those they trust and respect; building skills, confidence, networks, relationships and expertise in their communities.
Find out more about Local Trust and the Big Local programme at www.localtrust.org.uk
This website has been lovingly created by Dudley CVS officers to work alongside the brilliant local communications which have been developed by local volunteers through Big Local. Dudley CVS is a local support organisation aiming to inspire and connect people and organisations to make positive change across Dudley borough. Local people leading East Coseley Big Local teamed up with Dudley CVS at the very beginning of their Big Local journey.
The Coseley Grapevine newsletter delivered 4 times a year to 4,500 local households and businesses and the Coseley Life Facebook Page have already proved invaluable ways to reach and connect with people, and shout about what’s great about Coseley. These fantastic local communications are made and managed by residents.
The idea behind this website managed by Dudley CVS is for you to find out more about the nuts and bolts of the Big Local programme in East Coseley, and ways you can get involved and be supported by Big Local.
In addition to free support which Dudley CVS still provides to to local clubs, groups, societies, voluntary organisations (including charities) and social enterprises in East Coseley, additional development support is being bought from Dudley CVS by East Coseley Big Local. Residents also asked Dudley CVS to administer Big Local funding and employ a dedicated Big Local officer (Neil Langford). Dudley CVS is what is known as a Locally Trusted Organisation for East Coseley Big Local.
About us
Neil Langford Changemaker Support Officer (East Coseley Big Local)
tel: 07472 627497 email: neil@eastcoseleybiglocal.net twitter: @east_coseley
Neil has been recruited to find and support optimistic people who want to start or get involved in activities, projects and initiatives in the East Coseley Big Local area. He looks for new and interesting ways to connect people’s skills, talents and passion, and new ways of using the abundance of public and community spaces and resources in the area. Neil brings deep local knowledge and lots of connections to the role, thanks to his many years volunteering in the area, notably with 1st Coseley Scouts.
Lorna Prescott Senior Development Officer
tel: 07501 722255 email: lorna@dudleycvs.org.uk twitter: @dosticen
Lorna has supported activities in East Coseley Big Local area since 2011 to explore the vision and create the Big Local Plan. Lorna brings ideas and learning from wider work she is involved in around citizen-led participation and collaborative approaches, (see CoLab Dudley). Lorna is an RSA Fellowship Councillor and co-manger of social media surgeries across Dudley borough.
Helena Norman Communications Officer
tel: 01384 267420 email: comms@dudleycvs.org.uk twitter: @east_coseley
Helena supports community groups and charities with their promotion and publicity. Helena raises awareness of East Coseley Big Local with creativity, drive and determination to inspire and connect people. Using various creative media she tells inspiring stories to help local people understand the investment and funding opportunities available in the area through Big Local.