Big Local learning and networking events for 2014

If you’re thinking ahead to 2014, you might be thinking about getting new skills or finding out what other Big Local areas are doing and how they’re tackling the big issues in their area. Or, if you’re looking back at what your Big Local area has achieved, you might be thinking about what you have to share with other people, what worked well, the lessons learnt, and the next steps.

Our learning and networking events are a great way to pick up ideas, skills and knowledge, as well as to meet and talk to other people in Big Local areas.

‘This was a fantastic day which helped me see the bigger picture and it made me realise that we are not on our own and help is out there.’

Laura Bailey, Worle Big Local

If anybody from Big Local SW11 is interested to go to one of the following event, please inform Robert or Marlene. (See Contact Page)

Further information on these events (agenda, location, times) will be available on big local website 6-8 weeks before the event. All of those events take place either in or close to a Big Local area and are during the day. If you’d like more information or to book a place, please contact Sarah Donohoe on 0778 662 7692 or [email protected]

Friday 17 January 2014, Birchfield Big Local, Birmingham

What can Big Local learn now from longer-established community activities and projects that began 10, 20, or 30 years ago? What inspired the people behind these to get started in the first place? What were the early choices they made that ended up being important to their success? What were the tough times? What are their biggest achievements? What skills have proved most important to their long life?

This event is for people who want to:

• hear from people involved in community-led projects and activities which have been going for 10 years or more, and the lessons they can offer to Big Local
• explore different ideas about what kind of activities and projects your Big Local area could support that could still benefit the area in 10 or 20 years
• consider how individual projects and activities might develop and grow.

Further information and agenda

Monday 27 January 2014, Inner East Preston Big Local, Preston

10.30am – 3.30pm

As more Big Local areas produce their plans and sign them off, there is a huge amount we can learn through swapping details of what is in those plans. What are the priorities? How much is being spent as grants or invested as loans? What are the ‘quick wins’, what about year 11 and beyond?

The main aim of the day is to encourage areas to share what they are doing for the Big Local plan (no matter what stage you are at) and to learn about the approaches others have taken.

This one-day event is for:

• anyone in a Big Local area who wants to find out about the approaches other areas are taking to their plans
• anyone who has already been involved in developing a plan who wants to share and compare with what others have done

This is the third of four plan-sharing learning events. We ran the first event in August and the second in November 2013. This one follows the same format. The fourth will be in March 2014 in the East Midlands.

Further information and draft agenda

Saturday 8 February 2014, East Midlands

Knowledge is power and the path to financial independence for individuals and areas means helping people learn how money works.  This workshop led by Small Change is to share the kind of knowledge which can enable people to take more control of their household finances. It aims to build an understanding of how high street banks, credit cards, store cards or buy-now-pay-later schemes work. You’ll be able to discuss how people get in and get out of debt, how they manage money when times are tight, and the choices areas have over who to bank with.

Thursday 13 February 2014, Manchester

Perhaps you have an open space or place in your area that has potential, but looks tired. Maybe you’d like to put some heart back into your high street, create a ‘pop-up’ market, put some life into a public space, or are passionate about finding a new use for an empty shop. Or you are concerned about protecting a local park or want to start a food growing project.

Many Big Local areas are identifying their local environment, open places and spaces as a priority for action. This workshop is a good way to find out more about what some Big Local areas are already doing in their area, get ideas, practical tips and tools for setting up projects, and information for additional funding and resources.

Monday 24 – Tuesday 25 February 2014, North West

A roof over our heads is a basic but important need, but in many Big Local areas finding a home is harder than it has ever been. We’ll visit one Big Local area which is using some of their £1million to tackle the problem of private landlords buying up rows of houses and then neglecting them. We’ll also hear from areas across the country where housing is a problem for different reasons. In London and the South East, private housing is out of reach, and demand for social housing is massive.  In rural communities the lack of affordable housing means many young people head to towns, skewing the population left behind. And in some areas large new housing developments reduce the housing shortage but create new challenges for existing communities.

Tuesday 11 March 2014, South West

Can anyone really tackle unemployment when the economy is in crisis – let alone Big Local? Some areas think they can, or say that because jobs are the biggest priority for the area, they must do something.

This one-day workshop will share what those areas are doing – from helping people to learn new skills needed by employers, supporting people to become self-employed through microfinance and Star People, to using their influence with employers locally so people can have a fair chance.