Our new Head of Policy and Research role will ensure our research is agenda-setting & our policy ideas are rooted in practice. Do you know someone who can expertly combine policy and research to drive real change? Please share 👇 https://www.powertochange.org.uk/who-we-are/join-our-team/

We were joined by six community business leaders at Labour Conference to burst the conference bubble. From roundtables with MPs to our reception at Baltic Creative, local leadership was at the heart of political debate. Now, comes the real test for government. 👉Read our reflections: buff.ly/8X8lOBL

Not long left to get your tickets for #Locality25 Convention. Workshops include delivering the government’s ‘Neighbourhood Health Service’; building belonging in times of division; and community ownership across the world. 🎟️Tickets: https://locality.org.uk/events/locality-convention/tickets

🎉 #CommunityBusinessWeek is coming! 🗓️ 29 Nov–5 Dec 2025 ❄️ As part of our 10th anniversary campaign, it's a nationwide moment to shine a light on community business. 💡 A digital toolkit is coming soon to help you get involved 👇 powertochange.org.uk/event/community-business-week #PowerToChange10

💡West Midlands Combined Authority & @mayorwestmids.bsky.social have a bold vision to double the size of the social economy. 💡The week-long Social Economy Drive in November celebrates the power and potential of the social economy. We’re proud to be working in partnership to support this movement.

Do you want to use your skills to drive real change in communities? Our Head of #Policy and #Research will ensure our research is rigorous & agenda-setting & our policy ideas are influential & rooted in practice. Find out more & apply: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/who-we-are/join-our-team/

Rather than unlocking UK community power, successive govts' digital policies have been focussed on Silicon Valley-style success. By me for @powertochange.org.uk, on why digital social policy is a necessary building block for a stronger society www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

💭 We're reflecting on a busy #LabourConference 2025, where the power of community, and the importance of growth that everyone can see and feel, were central themes. Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25

Wrote something for @powertochange.org.uk about the fact that government policy must include a new category - digital social policy - to address the social impacts of technologies. Tech policy has to be more than cutting-edge innovation and growth www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

💻 In our latest essay, Rachel Coldicutt explores the need for a community-centred approach to technology policy. From WhatsApp-powered community organising to the overlooked intersection of our digital lives and our neighbourhoods, Rachel calls for a radical rethink. Read here 👇 buff.ly/jWJmwLU

JOIN OUR TEAM 💼 | Do you think strategically about how research & policy development combine to drive change? The new Head of Policy and Research role will ensure our research is agenda-setting & our policy ideas are rooted in practice: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/who-we-are/join-our-team/

📶 Our second Pulse survey asked community businesses what they thought of a Community Right to Buy. Here’s what they told us: The majority (62%) of community businesses already know about a Community Right to Buy, and want to be kept informed about it directly or through local and town councils.

🗣️ At #LabourConference today, we’ve been having lots of conversations about what the new Pride in Place programme is going to look like. We're pleased this funding, set to benefit 300+ areas, mandates input from communities, local groups & social clubs. See @nickplumb.bsky.social's reflections 👇

🧵 Last night, at our #Lab25 community business reception, hosted by Chris Curtis, MP, Chair of Labour Growth Group, community business leaders shared one thing they would like to see to help community businesses like theirs unlock growth that everyone can see & feel. Starting with @futureyard.org:

JOIN OUR TEAM 💼 | Do you think strategically about how research & policy development combine to drive change? The new Head of Policy and Research role will ensure our research is agenda-setting & our policy ideas are rooted in practice: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/who-we-are/join-our-team/

NEWSLETTER 🗞️ | Our new 'Returning power to the people' research suggests giving communities more local control is both effective and popular as an antidote to disillusionment and decline. Read about it, plus the latest news and events in the community business world 👇 http://bit.ly/3VGrQ6M

@powertochange.org.uk last event of Labour conference getting underway! Our community business reception is all about how communities create growth you can see, feel and that everyone benefits from.

Today, Charlotte Hollins from Fordhall Farm in Shropshire spoke to the Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock, about their community covenant in Market Drayton. Here, community members have come together with local organisations & Shropshire Council to design a Family Hub for their neighbourhood.

Community 🤝 59% of people are concerned that our communities are divided. But, 4 in 5 people say they like mixing with people of other ethnicities, religions and backgrounds in their local area.

Really pleased to have written the introduction to this new essay collection from @uclpolicylab.bsky.social @right-here.org @powertochange.org.uk. It argues Labour's communitarian tradition holds many of the answers to the key challenges the government faces today: www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...

@powertochange.org.uk ⚡️If you’re in Liverpool, come and hear from people working on the ground - diving renewal from health hubs to high streets - at our reception this evening www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

Our team have been at Labour Conference this weekend, noticing the need for change and growth that people can see and feel outside their front doors. @jesscraig.bsky.social See our full schedule of events: buff.ly/yb9KUuv

Felt right to start Labour conference yesterday with an event with Merseyside community leaders, @coopparty.party.coop and Birkenhead MP (and new MHCLG minister) @allymcgovern.bsky.social talking about how community business drives pride in place, connection and an economy that works for all.

Nice to hear @georgiagould.bsky.social speaking on the need for culture change at the centre to enable communities to drive change in their local areas. She says govt can decide the outcomes it wants to see but needs to be flexible on the ‘how’ so places can deliver on the way that works for them.

I was delighted to contribute to this excellent @uclpolicylab.bsky.social & @powertochange.org.uk essay collection on “Labour and the communitarian tradition”, alongside @ewallis.bsky.social, @mds49.bsky.social, @caitprowle.bsky.social, @kirstymcneill.bsky.social & @andyburnham.bsky.social

Run down Hope Street - a lovely way to start the day. Fitting given our @powertochange.org.uk @hopenothate.org.uk @coopparty.party.coop event later - Holding onto Hope - with @kirstymcneill.bsky.social @roswynnejones.bsky.social 4pm, ACC meeting room 12

📣Join us today at #LabourConference to burst the conference bubble & explore how to achieve the kind of growth that reaches into everyday life in every community. 🥧Sign up: buff.ly/0oYQG6i 👋Meet the community businesses: buff.ly/TIJ0uzj

📢 The Mayor of London’s Loved and Wanted Fund is now open for organisations working to connect diverse communities & improve access to support for Londoners across our city. Find more details on the Fund and how to apply here: buff.ly/gjnZVYN 🗓️ Deadline: 19th Oct 2025 #LovedandWanted

1/4 | Our @powertochange.org.uk response to today's announcement. Today’s Pride in Place announcement should be applauded. In targeting investment at the hyper-local level, the government has shown that it understands...

Welcome news! The government is investing “Pride in Place” funding in 330+ deprived communities. Our research published today shows why this matters. Read the full report on why community power is essential to tackling discontent, restoring trust, and driving national renewal buff.ly/MIQNu9O

📣 If you'll be at #LabourConference, join us & community business leaders from Liverpool & beyond to burst the conference bubble & explore how to achieve the kind of growth that reaches into everyday life in every community. 🥧Sign up: buff.ly/0oYQG6i 👋Meet the community businesses: buff.ly/TIJ0uzj

📣 This year at #LabourConference, we're joined by 7 community business leaders from across Liverpool & the country putting voices of communities at the centre of political debate. 👋 Meet them here: buff.ly/TIJ0uzj 🥧 Join us all at our drinks reception: buff.ly/0oYQG6i

@lucysym.bsky.social is at @libdems.org.uk conference, reporting talk of the English Devo & Community Empowerment Bill, which we’ve been calling to be strengthened so it lives up to its name. We know local decline matters when people head to the polls. Read more in 'Shuttered Front': buff.ly/8JgsEbu

We’re heading to Labour, Lib Dem & Conservative party conferences this autumn — and we’re bringing community business into the room. 🎤 Want a community business leader to speak at your event? Let us know. ☕ Fancy a coffee with our team? Email @lucysym.bsky.social [email protected]

🗣️On Tues @nickplumb.bsky.social gave evidence to Business & Trade Committee on the future of the high street. Asked by @liambyrnemp.bsky.social if it’s in terminal decline, he said no, but the retail-only model is over. We need vibrant, mixed-use spaces with community at the heart, like Sparks.

🚨 Today, our Chief Executive, Tim Davies-Pugh, is speaking at the National #TrustLeaders CEO Conference 2025, hosted by Forum Strategy. He’s sharing insights on how academy trust leaders can build trust, share power & lead with purpose — rooted in community: buff.ly/wUO9X0X

Fringe Event: 10 days out from Labour conference and you need to line up a good place to grab a pie: powertochange.typeform.com/to/DAkE176K 🫧 Burst the conference bubble and join @chriscurtis94.bsky.social, @marieosborne.bsky.social to talk about growth that reaches into our everyday life

We know community business works to create thriving places. This month's story visits Grimsby, a town associated with decline, but where there's a coordinated effort to start & grow community businesses, helping to restore pride in the community: buff.ly/094MG2j

Today @nickplumb.bsky.social gave evidence at the Public Bill Committee for the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill. Here's how we want to see the Bill improved: 🎥 The Community Right to Buy must be backed by robust funding—both revenue & capital.

🏆 Know a brilliant community business in the West Midlands? Nominate them—or yourself—for the Community Business of the Year award as part of the Social Economy Drive:

In 2024, the UK lost nearly 13,500 shops & hospitality venues – an average of 37 per day. 🗣️ @nickplumb.bsky.social spoke to @bigissue.com on the battle for independent business in our places and spaces: "homogenisation kills local character"... buff.ly/CVICsMg

Did you join our recent online briefing on high street regeneration and community ownership? Take a deep dive into the latest developments and upcoming shifts in policy - and what this means for community-led action on the high street. 👉 Watch here: buff.ly/Tnkn9uD 👉 Learn more: buff.ly/00zOFS9

💡West Midlands Combined Authority & @mayorwestmids.bsky.social have a bold vision to double the size of the social economy. 💡The week-long Social Economy Drive in November celebrates the power and potential of the social economy. We’re proud to be working in partnership to support this movement.

What could be achieved if only communities were trusted? From transforming derelict buildings into youth hubs, to grassroots green spaces blooming in the heart of urban estates — take a look at stories of community-led projects that could have transformed Britain 👉 arcg.is/0K9SvG1 @right-here.org

If anyone is interested sitting back, relaxing, and looking back over the last four years of politics and community - as a break from today's drama - here are said reflections. medium.com/@joshwesterl...

Wishing our fantastic Policy Manager @joshwesterling.bsky.social all the best in pastures new (we won't spoil the surprise!). Have a read of some of Josh's great work at Power to Change here: Reports & thinking: buff.ly/tTN75do Community power: buff.ly/wm2PFEW @right-here.org: buff.ly/2SM28H6

Have you caught up on our latest newsletter? Read the latest stories and essays from community businesses and thought leaders as part of our 10-year anniversary campaign, and discover how we're testing methods of neighbourhood governance 👇 buff.ly/GVIT4WA

When people feel proud of where they live, trust grows. Community empowerment can be an antidote to riots, populism & the void between people and politics. We spoke to @morganj0nes.bsky.social about the English Devo & Community Empowerment Bill. Read in @newstatesman.com 👇 buff.ly/57OgOvM

'A demonstration that our lived experience of exclusion from money makes us experts in the change needed for a fairer, more prosperous economy' @powertochange.org.uk on what happens when people shut out of an economy are trusted to build one for themselves.

🐝@🌹'25 Fringe Announced – Holding on to HOPE: How to Build Community Britain Partnered with @hopenothate.org.uk, @powertochange.org.uk and joined by @roswynnejones.bsky.social and Alex Norris MP, we'll be discussing how co-operation and community ownership can be crucial tools in fighting division.