@chriswood1.bsky.social
Director of Marketing and Partnerships at membership network Locality, formerly at housing charity Shelter. Views are my own
In response to far-right and antisemitic violence, Locality's Tony Armstrong and 160 civil society leaders call on the Prime Minister to advance anti-racism, inclusion & equality.
We recommend concrete actions the PM can take in the letter: locality.org.uk/news/letter-...
@equallyours.bsky.social
Today the government found its voice on community power. Now, it should have the confidence to pursue a bold community empowerment agenda.
🧵 Here’s what we think:
Quote from Rich Bell, Director of We're Right Here: “Together, these changes will help some local people band together and improve their places. But to truly unlock the potential in our communities, the government must be bolder — strengthening community control over services and spending decisions."
It’s a big day for our campaign: the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill landed in Parliament a few hours ago. Here’s what it means for communities: 1/5 🧵 #CommunityPoweredPolitics
10.07.2025 17:36 — 👍 5 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 1Good news that this is in the bill out today, but it comes at a time when the government has recently cut support for areas to take spaces into community ownership so they can benefit local people. If you're wondering what a community Right to Buy would mean, go here: locality.org.uk/what-is-comm...
10.07.2025 16:16 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
There are major benefits situating services together locally, but new 'Neighbourhood Health Centres' should be located in and work closely with the thousands of charity-run community hubs that already tackle poor health, often without funding or collaboration with the NHS.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
📢 9.3 million people are facing hunger and hardship in the UK.
We support @trusselluk.bsky.social, @jrf-uk.bsky.social and 100s of people in Parliament today calling on MPs to Guarantee our Essentials.
#EssentialsGuarantee
locality.org.uk/news/localit...
Today community leaders and champions were awarded honours, including Locality CEO Tony Armstrong!
They include founders and volunteers providing food, transport, sports and health services for their communities.
Congratulations to you all.
locality.org.uk/news/tony-ar...
@antlondon.bsky.social
“We welcome the Chancellor’s investment in health, housing and local growth initiatives, particularly those aimed at regenerating disadvantaged areas. But local people are best placed to decide how funding is spent, how services are run, and how their area is developed – communities must be in charge of this funding. “We agree that community assets are vital to growth. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see the absence of funding for community ownership in the Spending Review. The Community Ownership Fund has enabled community groups to bring hundreds of loved local spaces into community ownership so they can be used to bring people together, create jobs and provide essential support. “Local grassroots organisations have used community ownership to revitalise local neighbourhoods, drive economic growth, and reignite pride in place. This Spending Review was a missed opportunity to help hundreds more do the same. Renewal can only happen with the direct involvement of local people. The Government must now set out a clear way forward on how to put community power at the top of their agenda.”
Locality CEO Tony Armstrong responds to the #SpendingReview:
“It's disappointing to see the absence of funding for community ownership. Renewal can only happen with direct involvement of local people. Govt must set out a clear way forward on how to put community power at the top of the agenda.”
Today's news could be how this will reduce homelessness, the numbers and spending on benefits, and council temporary accommodation bills. Or how it'll help more people afford a home by making private sites viable.
But that's long term thinking, instead we get:
Where is the money coming from now?
This is excellent news for anyone who wants to tackle poverty, insecurity and homelessness.
It is thanks to years of tireless campaigning for social housing from SHOUT, Shelter, Inside Housing & many others @insidehousing.bsky.social @insidehousing.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
This is a really important way that communities can protect local buildings and spaces - and great that @princecharlescinema have done so. Check it out:
12.05.2025 16:13 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Good idea to prevent issues getting worse, but how about we ask community organisations to do this, and invest in them instead - they already know and have the trust of local people. Rather than hiring a new group of workers? www.thetimes.com/article/0254...
07.04.2025 13:30 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0If the government slashes benefits we'll see more people facing hunger & hardship. Getting iller. Seeing debt mount up. Lying awake at night worrying. Unable to afford essentials.
More work coach support simply can't outweigh not being able to food on the table.
Government increasing work coach support for long-term unemployment & disabled people.
✅Voluntary support, commitment to personalisation.
But:
Will work coaches have the knowledge & skills to really help?
And massive benefit cuts will undermine any positive effect.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tony Armstrong, CEO of Locality, said: “This is a positive step - our “Keep it Local” campaign has long argued that services should be provided by the local charities, social enterprises and community businesses that know local people best. “For too long, we’ve seen communities shut out of services because they can’t compete for big outsourcing contracts. This just leads to poor quality services, and it damages our economy because precious public sector investment leaks out of our communities. “This new approach needs to turn the tide. Local community organisations can deliver better services for local people, and keep the income and opportunities flowing round their neighbourhoods. This is a first step towards that, and we look forward to working with the government to unlock the power of communities across the country. “
A win for our 'Keep it Local' campaign today!
Government has just said public contracts should 'maximise spend with SMEs and VCSE organisations'.
This could be a first step towards helping local people get better services and building the economy.
Read our statement here:
Interesting, when did it go up? Social trust has also gone up a lot if you look a bit further back, which is really good news as it helps with everything from health, jobs, crime, poverty etc.
11.02.2025 19:34 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Great work Ed explaining how the new Community Right to Buy would work, and thank you to Emily Hudson for showcasing the amazing work of Foxies Futures and others in taking over and running local buildings for the benefit of their communities.
07.02.2025 16:52 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
A poster reading: AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS You may be aware of recent reports in the press regarding a looming crisis affecting The Bank of Mum & Dad. Unfortunately, these reports are correct. We would like to take this opportunity to inform you that we are doing everything that we possibly can. But unless the situation changes, the future for The Bank of Mum & Dad may well be in jeopardy. The enormous shortage of affordable homes is causing prices to escalate rapidly. This is making it increasingly difficult to assist offspring in finding a home of their own. In the past, The Bank of Mum & Dad has been a key source of funding for the next generation. Last year alone, we lent up to 62 billion to help meet the already ludicrous cost of rent and mortgage deposits. Our loans and mortgage offers have consistently been the best on the market. However, it may no longer be possible for The Bank of Mum & Dad to offer such financial assistance. At this rate, all financial services may well have to be suspended. We realise that this will lead to a host of problems for the next generation. Not least of which being the huge uplift in grumpy 40 year olds being forced to carry on living with their parents in the years to come. And, let's be honest, the parents won't exactly be happy about that either, will they. The Bank of Mum & Dad is absolutely gutted about this situation. Of course, we remain committed to each and every one of you, and we still love you very, very much. You know where to find us, if you ever want to pop round for a little chat about it over a nice bit of home-made spag bol. (You're under absolutely no obligation to do the washing up.) Alternatively visit us at thebankofmumanddad.org.uk THE BANK OF MUM & DAD
A bank website with the following urgent message: SORRY THIS SERVICE IS UNAVAILABLE As you probably know, The Bank of Mum & Dad is facing closure. The bank has been under enormous financial pressure recently, due to the huge scale of lending needed to help offspring with the ridiculous rental costs and mortgage deposits. The enormous shortage of affordable homes is causing prices in all sectors to escalate rapidly. As from today, the website thebankofmumanddad.org.uk has been suspended. We're absolutely gutted. Loans and mortgages will no longer be offered online until further notice. However, we will continue to offer homemade shepherd's pie, spag bol, and puddings that tend to involve custard round at ours. If you're worried about the crisis facing The Bank of Mum & Dad click here Shelter
'Rising interest rates and the cost of living crisis have led to a drop in parental handouts for first time buyers' (The Times) www.thetimes.com/article/b463...
This totally reminds me of one of the best Shelter campaigns, about the struggling 'Bank of Mum and Dad':
Liverpool FC stands
Black Lives Matter Liverpool number 7 shirt
trophy
Locality staff walking to Kitty's Launderette
This week some of the Locality team got to check out Anfield Stadium, #Liverpool, where #Locality25 Convention will take place in November! We met Locality members Homebaked Community Land Trust, and also had the chance to visit community-owned Kitty's Launderette. Excited for what's to come!
08.01.2025 16:08 — 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
This focuses on the 170 'community diagnostic centres' run by the NHS, but what about the thousands of charity-run community centres that often see problems first and work out what's wrong, then refer people on - just think what they could do with powers and support www.thetimes.com/article/a970...
06.01.2025 09:13 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
This is good news - Councils used to be able to buy farmland at market price then give it planning permission, but with 'hope value' added to prices since the 60s, the cost of purchasing land has been the biggest blocker to building good quality, affordable homes. www.thetimes.com/article/a81b...
20.12.2024 07:10 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0This is great news! Something we've been campaigning for for years. You can find out more about it here: locality.org.uk/what-is-comm... @locality.bsky.social @right-here.org @powertochange.bsky.social
17.12.2024 08:44 — 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
