John had fond childhood memories of scouts in the community hall. The building remained but the activity had long gone. These days, he recognised fewer and fewer of his neighbours. Those he still knew spent most of their time sat at home on their own sofas in front of the TV; those young people not hanging around aimlessly on the street corner, were tucked away playing Xbox or Playstation alone in their bedrooms. John's dream was to breathe new life into the community hall.
He became increasingly determined to do something about it. So what stood in the way? In John's case it was a faulty wiring system, the lack of a disabled toilet, a good plan and some cash to support it. The Big Lottery Fund was the answer. Where once stood only memories and thoughts of what might be, his community now has a thriving facility offering far more than a revived scout group. The hall provides lunches and leisure activities for senior citizens; employment opportunities via a small social enterprise operating from there; after school clubs for the local kids and a welcoming focal point for all sorts of special interest groups.
John realised his dream but in the process he reduced isolation, built community cohesion and put smiles on many faces. This is People Powered Change and Lottery good cause cash is there to back it. Many people have dreams like John's and the Big Lottery helps them come true – we funded 14,000 projects across the UK last year. But the best ideas don't always translate into the best project proposals. Local people don't always know where to turn to for help and when they do, the barriers to action and subsequent success can feel overwhelming.
People Powered Change is great in theory but how will it flourish in practice? How can we trigger People Powered Change in the places where it is least likely to take off spontaneously? And how can we ensure it connects with everyone who has a part to play in local communities; not just those with cash and contacts? That's the thinking behind the clutch of announcements the Big Lottery Fund is making today.
Through People Powered Change we want to build, accelerate and extend new and different approaches to develop great community-led action. We want to harness these approaches to the benefit of all, especially those currently lacking the opportunity or ability to make a positive contribution their area. The Young Foundation is going to boost the ability of local communities to tackle the issues that matter most to them, through strengthening the ability of local groups to work in new areas.
We will support them to enable communities and individuals across the country to come together to accelerate change. Through Your Square Mile we can test how digital platforms – on PC's mobile phones and public access screens- can extend and enhance community engagement through new social networks. Nesta's Neighbourhood Challenge is already showing how community organisations when equipped with the right skills, practical tools and a little cash can mobilise behind innovative responses to local priorities. UnLtd's work is important because of the gap in seed finance in the social investment market between start-ups and established social ventures. They can help translate bright ideas into sustainable businesses.
The Big Venture Challenge is going to give ambitious social entrepreneurs the chance to scale up their impact across the country. At the moment, much of the public debate is dominated by what can't be done, rather than nurturing, developing and celebrating what we already know can be achieved in a manner that others can learn from. Let's hope today's announcements put the rocket boosters beneath excellent community-led work, so that it secures impact and influence way beyond the important – but necessarily limited – contribution that BIG's own funds can support.
Dynamic local people need to feel recognised for the work and supported in their efforts, wherever these are focused on achieving positive social change. Less confident people with brilliant ideas who aren't sure where to turn, need to know that Lottery cash could provide support and funding to make their dreams come true.
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