“Achieving change within a council can sometimes feel like being a mountaineer." Mike Greene, Chief Executive of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, on its new mission-led approach – one that harnesses community strengths & skills.

Our friends at @localtrust.org.uk have launched a new campaign to celebrate 100 areas completing the Big Local programme. From new community hubs to thriving green spaces, communities across England have come together to shape their future. Find out more 👇

"Councils can play a role in strengthening social capital not by stepping in with solutions, but by stepping back and creating space for communities to lead." Ruby Frankland reflects on our fringe event with 3ni at this year's LGA conference.

Sunderland City Council is on the front foot when it comes to bridging the digital divide. We had the opportunity to ask Nicol McConnell about ‘what really works’ when it comes to getting communities connected. Take a look at her insights ➡️

"We know that climate change will impact every service at every level". Emma Bull of @localpartnerships.bsky.social & Emily Bolton of Cambridgeshire County Council discuss best practices for embedding climate resilience across council operations.

“There is an emerging opportunity for councils to reimagine how democracy can be done better”. Our Principal Practice Lead Liin Nur explains our ambitions for Waves – the biggest trial of digital democracy in the UK – and the solid foundations that the programme is built upon.

We are built on our network of local authority members. Made up of all types of councils, from all over the UK. Sharing innovations and inspiring each other. Find out more 👀 buff.ly/3MIyu80

"For me, conversations about power are something I will take away and apply to my practice. The idea that power isn’t static; it ebbs and flows". Our Principal Practice Lead, Liin Nur, reflects on her first time at #StrongerThings 🌟

We are built on our network of local authority members. Made up of all types of councils, from all over the UK. Sharing innovations and inspiring each other. Find out more 👀 buff.ly/3MIyu80

“We'd rather spend our time creating a space for people to come together than looking at funding applications.” Our report uncovers the barriers preventing community centres from reaching their full potential – and how to overcome them. buff.ly/OFY7FBE

Our practice team works hand-in-hand w/ councils, the NHS & others to help them solve challenges alongside their communities. From designing an inclusive economy in Calderdale to tackling health inequalities in Edmonton. Take a look 👇 buff.ly/3NZOqmR

Four inspiring leaders on the power of place-based leadership – where collaboration creates lasting, meaningful impact. 🗣 Amanda Askham (‪@ealingcouncil.bsky.social‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 🗣 Donna Nolan (‪@watfordcouncil.bsky.social‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 🗣 Emma Stubbs (@stockportcouncil.bsky.social‬) 🗣 Meena Kishinani

Old models of local news are collapsing. New models are emerging – but they are fragile. The @publicinterestnews.org.uk‬ team are presenting a vision for the future of local news – and how this vision can become reality. @joe-mitchell.com‬ #StrongerThings

We’re hosting a packed workshop on creating a grassroots movement for radical change in the public sector – one that shifts away from doing things to people towards working with them. #DoWith #StrongerThings

“I asked people what good work looks like in this century & what it would take to get there. I heard the same stories again & again.” @hilarycottam.bsky.social reminds us: narrow economic models of work no longer serve us. She offers a 21st century reimaging rooted in the ideas of everyday experts.

That's it for #StrongerThings 2025! Thank you to our phenomenal partners for making this event possible And thank you to everyone who joined us in person & online – we hope you feel as inspired and energised as we do.

“Total Place 2.0 is surely a no-brainer.” @jydenham.bsky.social‬ & @jesstud.bsky.social‬ make the case for this “over ready” policy that would lay the groundwork for a deep shift in how public investment secures better outcomes.

In a new thinkpiece, @cormacrussell.bsky.social‬ proposes 3️⃣ shifts for greater alignment between institutions & communities Issue-based ➡️ place-based responses Institution-first ➡️ community-first Provision determined by public services ➡️ co-produced alongside communities 🔗

Advocates of Community Power are now at the centre of government, but it won't be easy to convert Whitehall to this way of working. My briefing following another inspiring #StrongerThings conference from @wearenewlocal.bsky.social www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...

Here we go… @jesstud.bsky.social & @vibrantkatiekelly.bsky.social open #StrongerThings 2025 🌟 “We gather at a time when the outlines of change have been drawn, but now it’s time for us all to bring some colour to the canvas.”

"While the fragility of ‘business as usual' is taking its toll personally, professionally and societally, there remains cause for optimism". @jesstud.bsky.social sets the scene ahead of tomorrow's festival of community power, #StrongerThings 🌟 www.themj.co.uk/colouring-pu...

Delighted to announce that @georgiagould.bsky.social will be joining us at #StrongerThings tomorrow morning to talk all things public service reform, communities and place with @jesstud.bsky.social. In-person tickets have sold out. Book to attend online here: www.newlocal.org.uk/strongerthin....

We’re heading to @wearenewlocal.bsky.social‬ Stronger Things conference this week. If you’re going too, swing by our stall and find out more about our campaign for neighbourhood-level devolution. It’s always a brilliant event: www.newlocal.org.uk/strongerthin... #strongerthings

"People matter more than schedules." At Connect in Barking & Dagenham, we’re learning that connection begins when people feel they matter. We'll be sharing more at #StrongerThings2025 with @wearenewlocal.bsky.social tomorrow. Join us to explore why mattering matters. www.carecity.org/wp-content/u...

#StrongerThings 2025 is taking shape! 👀 sneak preview of the magnificent backdrop for tomorrow’s festival of #CommunityPower ⭐️

That’s a wrap for today! 🎬   See you bright and early tomorrow for the highlight of our year - #StrongerThings 2025 🌟   p.s. There’s still time to register to join us online 👉 www.newlocal.org.uk/strongerthin...

“It felt like being seen. “It’s easy to feel quite small in what we're doing as a local hub.” Hub manager Josie Cowgill reacts to our latest report, Where People Meet. Hear more on our podcast 🎙 buff.ly/hREVJ2q

“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.

Join us for #StrongerThings 2025 ONLINE! The community power event of the year ft. ‪@hilarycottam.bsky.social‬ @cormacrussell.bsky.social‬ & more amazing speakers ✨‬ Take a look at the agenda 👉 buff.ly/GD8vVAl Book your ticket 👉 buff.ly/9TzwL53

"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.

Delighted to publish a thinkpiece by social explorer and author Cormac Russell. One of our headline speakers for Stronger Things 2025. bit.ly/CormacRussel... To hear from him on the day, sign up here 👇 Last few in-person tickets left. Or join us online. www.newlocal.org.uk/strongerthin...

“Achieving change within a council can sometimes feel like being a mountaineer" Mike Greene, chief executive of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, introduces the council’s new mission-led approach, prioritising prevention, testing new ways of working & harnessing community strengths:

We are delighted to be partnering with the local government chronicle for #StrongerThings 2025 🌟 Join us at this unmissable day for everyone who understands the power of communities to transform place. 3 June 👉🎫 buff.ly/Uh4al13

In a new thinkpiece, @cormacrussell.bsky.social‬ proposes 3️⃣ shifts for greater alignment between institutions & communities Issue-based ➡️ place-based responses Institution-first ➡️ community-first Provision determined by public services ➡️ co-produced alongside communities 🔗

Join us at #StrongerThings 2025 on 3 June to hear more from @cormacrussell.bsky.social on the potential of community-centred public services 🌟 www.newlocal.org.uk/strongerthin...

🎉 We have officially SOLD OUT of in-person tickets for #StrongerThings 2025! But you can still be part of the action – from wherever you are. Join us online on 3 June for livestreamed keynotes, exclusive workshops, BTS interviews + more! 🔗 Register here:

It's fantastic timing for this report from @wearenewlocal.bsky.social & @raynefoundation.bsky.social about the vital role community centres (+ assets more broadly) play in transforming neighbourhoods for local benefit — and the investment ecosystem to unlock this at scale. Read more 👇 3/ 🧵

Brilliant report and well worth devoting time to read ⬇️ Community centres are at the heart of what makes our places meaningful. Glad to have brought insights from the work in our AHRC funded Place Programme hosted by @uofgussp.bsky.social

Our latest research took us into the hearts of communities – into vibrant community centres in Bradford, Birmingham and Stroud. We asked people to imagine what life might be like in 15 years’ time and how their centre would respond. Their insights are woven into our new report: buff.ly/OFY7FBE

“Achieving change within a council can sometimes feel like being a mountaineer" Mike Greene, chief executive of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, introduces the council’s new mission-led approach, prioritising prevention, testing new ways of working & harnessing community strengths:

Together with @tpximpact.com, @mancitycouncil.bsky.social has developed a set of community power standards to create a lasting, participatory culture. TPXimpact’s Laura Billings walks us through the steps involved, how the standards were tested in context & what comes next. bit.ly/TPXimpactMan...

We are delighted that the Municipal Journal is our media partner for #StrongerThings 2025! Thank you for making this event possible 🌟 Join us on 3 June 👉🎫 buff.ly/Uh4al13

A busy day at COSLA HQ with our Convention meeting taking place this afternoon. Find out more about COSLA Convention: bit.ly/42dQDSz Read the Agenda for this afternoon's meeting: bit.ly/4c9y72g

A glorious day on the Ayrshire coast! 🩷🙏🏻

"National policy has a bias towards structural reform as a tool for change. Radical leadership cannot be legislated for, but the culture change it reflects no less impactful." @jesstud.bsky.social writes about a new leadership model emerging in the public sector.

The speakers struck a chord: 🔹 Samira Ben Omar reminded us we don’t need more evidence that communities hold the solutions — we need to act on it. (2/6) 🧵

🔹 Katie Kelly FRSA @wearenewlocal.bsky.social named the shift from hierarchy and permission-culture, to reciprocity, trust and mutuality. (4/6) 🧵

Brilliant to be part of today’s #DoWith launch — a 500+ strong movement for public sector to 'do with', not 'do to' local communities. Big thanks to @thekingsfund.bsky.social & other conveners for creating space to celebrate and connect people already leading this shift around the country. (1/6) 🧵

Afterlife 2018 Ink on paper

We're hiring two key leadership roles at New Local! 🌠 Director of Partnerships & Engagement – Lead our membership, events & comms. 🌠 Director of Practice & Programmes – Drive impact in consultancy, research & policy. 💰 £80K | ⏳ Apply by 14 April, 9am → buff.ly/K4Po0d0