Summer Simpson

This is something that I looked at in my own research on the role of community centres in local life – as spaces that bring communities together and enable them to connect across lines of difference – so I am really interested to see how the conversation develops.

From pubs to populism: what the decline of community space means for democracy - Bennett Institute for Public Policy As support for populist parties continues to surge worldwide, a growing number of policymakers, academics, and civil society organisations are pointing to the importance of social and cultural infrast...

Along similar lines, this blog from the @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk looks at the role social and cultural infrastructure could play in combatting populism and reversing the erosion of social cohesion.

www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/social-...

Places to come together: Rebuilding local solidarities against the far right | IPPR In late July 2024, the seaside town of Southport in Merseyside burst into the national consciousness when it suffered two different, violent events in succ

New paper from @ippr.org explores what the loss of pubs, parks, youth clubs and other third spaces means for social connection and solidarity, and how it can give rise to the radical right.

Read in full here: www.ippr.org/articles/pla...

Landmark plan to rebuild NHS in working class communities The 10 Year Health Plan will set out how the government plans to tackle inequalities in people’s health through fundamental reforms to our health system

"The 10 Year Health Plan will set out how the government plans to rebuild the NHS and tackle widening inequalities in people’s health through fundamental reforms to our health system"

www.gov.uk/government/n...

Eastside Community Trust responds to Where People Meet - our latest report on the future of community centres.

They make the case brilliantly for investing in these vital spaces that "anchor communities, foster connection and improve wellbeing".

eastsidecommunitytrust.org.uk/local-issues...

What does it mean to sustain change?

I had a great time at the Place-based Systems Change Community of Practice meeting hosted by Renaisi.

We talked about the risks of not sustaining change for places & communities – from broken trust and relationship breakdown to reverting to the status quo.

Grateful to my wonderful @wearenewlocal.bsky.social team and to the speakers and partners who made the event possible – looking forward to continuing the conversation.

@evefrancisholt.bsky.social & Tabz O’Brien shared insights from GM's place-based approach to prevention.

A core part of the Live Well movement is a network of welcoming centres offering integrated financial, employment, well-being, health & social support – and a chance to build social connection.

In a panel on building community cohesion, it was great to hear that unlocking physical spaces is a core part of both Calderdale & Lichfield’s approach.

💬 “The power we have as local authorities is to facilitate that kind of magic to happen, this is where our power as place shapers can bear out.”

In 3ni’s session on building social capital, we heard about the Portland Inn Project – a community-embedded arts organisation in Stoke-on-Trent working alongside local people to develop pioneering community spaces – from a disused pub to a repurposed shipping container.

The need for spaces where communities can gather – which build the bonds that connect us to place and to the people around us – emerged as a strong theme throughout the day.

Yesterday was my third time at #StrongerThings, but my first time on stage.

It was great to be involved in a workshop on the future of community centres, talking through the findings of our latest research (more here 🔗 www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...).

Thanks so much! It was a brilliant project to work on - they are such special places ☺️

Thanks very much for sharing!

ICYMI this is an excellent report👇

There's few more important building in neighbourhoods than the community centre.

"Community centres have long stood as pillars of local life, as places where people can meet, mix and connect; where care, fun and friendships bloom and problems are shared."

Five reasons the Government should launch Total Place 2.0 - New Local John Denham and Jessica Studdert make the case for Total Place 2.0 - to shift public investment for better outcomes.

“There is one policy option open to the Government which would lay the groundwork for a deep shift in how public investment secures better outcomes”.

@jydenham.bsky.social‬ & @jesstud.bsky.social‬ set out 5 reasons the Government should launch Total Place 2.0.

Where People Meet: How We Celebrate, Sustain and Reimagine Community Centres - New Local This report sets out the vital role that community centres play in local areas and makes the case for investing in their future.

Our recent recent research shows just how important third spaces are.

Areas where there are no places to meet face poorer social and economic outcomes, including higher rates of ill health and child poverty.

You can read more about our findings here: www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...

New report reveals stark regional inequalities in high street decline - calls on govt to work with communities to restore local amenities & rebuild pride.

Particularly welcome proposals to incentivise third spaces where people can gather as part of transition to more resilient forms of high street.

Where People Meet: How We Celebrate, Sustain and Reimagine Community Centres - New Local This report sets out the vital role that community centres play in local areas and makes the case for investing in their future.

We make a similar point in Where People Meet – that a vibrant & cared for community centre can make a place feel invested in, where people feel like their voice matters & have the opportunity to participate in conversations around issues that impact their lives.

www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...

Jennifer notes that “Even modest action — a reopened community centre or repaired playground, a place to meet — can spark belief that the future might be better than the past.”

To counter the political damage from ill health, ‪@jenniferthf.bsky.social‬ argues that “Putting local people in charge, giving them the resources and authority to make visible changes — things that restore pride and confidence — will make a difference.”

How health inequality in the UK maps on to political upheaval Tackling deprivation and illness in neglected places could be the prescription for beating Nigel Farage

Really important piece mapping health outcomes against voting patterns.

In some regions, people can only expect to live in good health until their early fifties. It is in these same places where people have the lowest trust in government.

www.ft.com/content/4594...

Where People Meet: Creating community ownership - Rayne Foundation What the Foundation has learned about the challenges and opportunities facing adult social care, and our future plans for proactive funding into the sector.

"Spaces like community centres are not a ‘luxury’, but a must have if we want to see communities across the country thrive".

Samuel Kirkby runs the Sutton Centre - a vibrant community centre in Bradford.

He reflects on the importance of physical assets for communities.

Where People Meet: Neighbourhoods need places to belong - Rayne Foundation What the Foundation has learned about the challenges and opportunities facing adult social care, and our future plans for proactive funding into the sector.

Delighted by @mattleach.bsky.social’s response to Where People Meet - our new report on the future of community centres.

"The report offers a vision for the future that’s refreshingly grounded. Not utopian. Not flashy. But deeply real."

www.raynefoundation.org.uk/where-people...

Neighbourhoods as engines of change On the need for bridges from the edges to the centre

Some thoughts sparked by a great event in Leeds yesterday on neighbourhood health and the UK government's Test, Learn and Grow intiative. How do we make neighbourhoods engines of change?
medium.com/@jamestplunk...

Jason Stockwood has written a thoughtful piece in the NS reflecting on losing the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral race. This bit in particular I agree with.

🧵 Our democracy is in poor health.

Trust in political parties and government has hit a new low.

But we think there's a different way forward 👇

“This is the place”: The case for investing in community centres - New Local Community centres have long stood as pillars of local life, but we are losing these spaces at pace and at scale.

"community centres need to be recognised as a core part of the essential infrastructure of a place" - @summersimpson.bsky.social shares insights from @wearenewlocal.bsky.social report. With recommendations for local gov, policymakers & funders.

www.newlocal.org.uk/articles/the...

“This is the place”: The case for investing in community centres - New Local Community centres have long stood as pillars of local life, but we are losing these spaces at pace and at scale.

"When a community centre is thriving, it is both a place where people can meet their basic needs and somewhere that adds colour to people’s lives".

@summersimpson.bsky.social introduces our new report and its key ideas.

Thanks for sharing Nick, and thanks for all of your insights!