Matt Leach
@mattleach.bsky.social
CEO at Building Centre/Built Environment Trust. Social capital, devolution, hyperlocal change, public service reform. Thinks about the future a bit. Member of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods.
Reposted by Matt Leach
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...
"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...
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.
www.raynefoundation.org.uk
May 13, 2025 at 6:19 PM
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...
"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...
Reposted by Matt Leach
@mattleach.bsky.social reflects on the findings of Community, not catastrophe, a report that calls for networks of trust, mutual aid, volunteering, community support, and civil society to urgently be recognised as ‘critical national infrastructure’ in UK crisis preparedness planning 👇
April 10, 2025 at 12:56 PM
@mattleach.bsky.social reflects on the findings of Community, not catastrophe, a report that calls for networks of trust, mutual aid, volunteering, community support, and civil society to urgently be recognised as ‘critical national infrastructure’ in UK crisis preparedness planning 👇
Reposted by Matt Leach
In our latest blog, Local Trust’s CEO, @mattleach.bsky.social , outlines how, in an era of crisis and uncertainty, #BigLocal areas have been demonstrating community resilience and effective community first response. Read the blog: buff.ly/wxTSDoH [🧵2/3]
Building resilience: The power of community first response
Matt Leach outlines how local social capital can be vital during disasters, and how Big Local areas have demonstrated community resilience.
localtrust.org.uk
April 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
In our latest blog, Local Trust’s CEO, @mattleach.bsky.social , outlines how, in an era of crisis and uncertainty, #BigLocal areas have been demonstrating community resilience and effective community first response. Read the blog: buff.ly/wxTSDoH [🧵2/3]
Reposted by Matt Leach
Huge thanks to @localtrust.org.uk, VCS Emergencies Partnership, Robyn Knox, @mattleach.bsky.social, Margaret Bolton, Groundwork, National Emergencies Trust, and many others. 3/3
April 2, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Huge thanks to @localtrust.org.uk, VCS Emergencies Partnership, Robyn Knox, @mattleach.bsky.social, Margaret Bolton, Groundwork, National Emergencies Trust, and many others. 3/3
Reposted by Matt Leach
"The statue of Wallace Sargent, the orchard... [are] symbols of what communities can do when they really get down to achieving brilliant stuff together."
📍 In the #CommunityPowerPodcast's final episode, our CEO @mattleach.bsky.social reflects on Winterton #BigLocal’s journey: buff.ly/Y9fAQFy [1/3]
📍 In the #CommunityPowerPodcast's final episode, our CEO @mattleach.bsky.social reflects on Winterton #BigLocal’s journey: buff.ly/Y9fAQFy [1/3]
April 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
"The statue of Wallace Sargent, the orchard... [are] symbols of what communities can do when they really get down to achieving brilliant stuff together."
📍 In the #CommunityPowerPodcast's final episode, our CEO @mattleach.bsky.social reflects on Winterton #BigLocal’s journey: buff.ly/Y9fAQFy [1/3]
📍 In the #CommunityPowerPodcast's final episode, our CEO @mattleach.bsky.social reflects on Winterton #BigLocal’s journey: buff.ly/Y9fAQFy [1/3]
Reposted by Matt Leach
And if you haven’t already, listen to the final episode of series three with our CEO @mattleach.bsky.social as he shares his insights into the evolution of these Big Local areas and what sets their journeys apart: buff.ly/Y9fAQFy [2/2]
The community power podcast: Series three
Exploring what happens when you give local people the money, power and the resources to make a difference in their neighbourhoods.
buff.ly
March 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
And if you haven’t already, listen to the final episode of series three with our CEO @mattleach.bsky.social as he shares his insights into the evolution of these Big Local areas and what sets their journeys apart: buff.ly/Y9fAQFy [2/2]
Reposted by Matt Leach
📢Join us for a public panel event this week with
@AnthropyUK
⏰28th March, 11:00-12:00
@ Emma Fletcher, @mattleach.bsky.social, @Ben beadle, @Jayne kirkham, @Charlie Luxton, @ Joe Harrison
🏠RSVP Here:👇
anthropy.uk
@AnthropyUK
⏰28th March, 11:00-12:00
@ Emma Fletcher, @mattleach.bsky.social, @Ben beadle, @Jayne kirkham, @Charlie Luxton, @ Joe Harrison
🏠RSVP Here:👇
anthropy.uk
March 19, 2025 at 3:39 PM
📢Join us for a public panel event this week with
@AnthropyUK
⏰28th March, 11:00-12:00
@ Emma Fletcher, @mattleach.bsky.social, @Ben beadle, @Jayne kirkham, @Charlie Luxton, @ Joe Harrison
🏠RSVP Here:👇
anthropy.uk
@AnthropyUK
⏰28th March, 11:00-12:00
@ Emma Fletcher, @mattleach.bsky.social, @Ben beadle, @Jayne kirkham, @Charlie Luxton, @ Joe Harrison
🏠RSVP Here:👇
anthropy.uk
Reposted by Matt Leach
Not a huge amount on transport & street design in @iconeighbours.bsky.social’s interim report but struck by this finding on potholes as a key priority for people in both high & low need neighbourhoods.
Report: www.neighbourhoodscommission.org.uk/report/inter...
Report: www.neighbourhoodscommission.org.uk/report/inter...
March 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Not a huge amount on transport & street design in @iconeighbours.bsky.social’s interim report but struck by this finding on potholes as a key priority for people in both high & low need neighbourhoods.
Report: www.neighbourhoodscommission.org.uk/report/inter...
Report: www.neighbourhoodscommission.org.uk/report/inter...
Great to be at the launch of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods - putting place and social capital at the centre of the government’s mission agenda www.neighbourhoodscommission.org.uk/report/inter...
March 5, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Great to be at the launch of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods - putting place and social capital at the centre of the government’s mission agenda www.neighbourhoodscommission.org.uk/report/inter...
We need to strengthen social capital and networks to support people to live healthier lives - the latest in our #socialcapital series with @demos-uk.bsky.social highlights it’s critical importance to an prevention-focused policy agenda demos.co.uk/research/soc...
Social Capital 2025: Reinforcing the bedrock of the nation’s health
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
February 13, 2025 at 2:36 PM
We need to strengthen social capital and networks to support people to live healthier lives - the latest in our #socialcapital series with @demos-uk.bsky.social highlights it’s critical importance to an prevention-focused policy agenda demos.co.uk/research/soc...
Reposted by Matt Leach
We're pleased to also publish a separate briefing paper which explains the definition of social capital we refer to throughout this series, 'What is Social Capital'. ⬇️
demos.co.uk/research/soc...
demos.co.uk/research/soc...
Social Capital 2025: What is Social Capital?
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
January 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM
We're pleased to also publish a separate briefing paper which explains the definition of social capital we refer to throughout this series, 'What is Social Capital'. ⬇️
demos.co.uk/research/soc...
demos.co.uk/research/soc...
Reposted by Matt Leach
✨ New research! ✨
"The evidence points in one direction: that strengthening positive forms of #socialcapital and networks will help bolster communities, families and result in safer homes for children."
"The evidence points in one direction: that strengthening positive forms of #socialcapital and networks will help bolster communities, families and result in safer homes for children."
January 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM
✨ New research! ✨
"The evidence points in one direction: that strengthening positive forms of #socialcapital and networks will help bolster communities, families and result in safer homes for children."
"The evidence points in one direction: that strengthening positive forms of #socialcapital and networks will help bolster communities, families and result in safer homes for children."
Good report out from NAVCA highlighting the importance of grassroots and unincorporated groups to community life. Far too easily forgotten, but arguably the most important part of what makes up “civil society” www.thirdsector.co.uk/number-under...
Number of ‘under the radar’ voluntary and community groups in England revealed
New research finds there are almost half a million voluntary sector organisations in the country, including up to 335,000 unregistered groups
www.thirdsector.co.uk
January 31, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Good report out from NAVCA highlighting the importance of grassroots and unincorporated groups to community life. Far too easily forgotten, but arguably the most important part of what makes up “civil society” www.thirdsector.co.uk/number-under...
Social capital can act as a protective shield for children, families and communities. We need to focus on strengthening social capital and networks to support families to stay safely together. demos.co.uk/research/soc...
Social Capital 2025: A protective shield for children, families and communities
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
January 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Social capital can act as a protective shield for children, families and communities. We need to focus on strengthening social capital and networks to support families to stay safely together. demos.co.uk/research/soc...
Hugely excited that @localtrust.bsky.social and its new spin-out 3Ni is collaborating with demos.co.uk on a series of important new reports on #socialcapital. The first, by Andy Haldane and David Halpern, makes the case for putting social capital at the heart of policy demos.co.uk/research/soc...
Social Capital 2025: The hidden wealth of nations
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
January 13, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Hugely excited that @localtrust.bsky.social and its new spin-out 3Ni is collaborating with demos.co.uk on a series of important new reports on #socialcapital. The first, by Andy Haldane and David Halpern, makes the case for putting social capital at the heart of policy demos.co.uk/research/soc...
Great to see some well deserved #BigLocal #NewYearHon award winners tonight. Massive congratulations to Sonia Clyne from Par Bay BL, James Masters from Grange BL, Fiona Thompson from Keighley Valley BL and Tracy Lowe from Grace Mary to Lion Farm BL. All fantastic community leaders and change-makers!
December 31, 2024 at 12:02 AM
Great to see some well deserved #BigLocal #NewYearHon award winners tonight. Massive congratulations to Sonia Clyne from Par Bay BL, James Masters from Grange BL, Fiona Thompson from Keighley Valley BL and Tracy Lowe from Grace Mary to Lion Farm BL. All fantastic community leaders and change-makers!
Good to speak at new report launch today from National Academy for Social Prescribing making case for investing in community through a new fund. Helping prevent cost falling on the NHS whilst building thriving communities and sustaining better lives. socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/resources/ne...
December 11, 2024 at 5:40 PM
Good to speak at new report launch today from National Academy for Social Prescribing making case for investing in community through a new fund. Helping prevent cost falling on the NHS whilst building thriving communities and sustaining better lives. socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/resources/ne...
Brilliant to hear Sam Jones from @tnlcomfund.bsky.social announce to the @commwealthfund.bsky.social end of year campaign reception that the new Community Wealth Fund will benefit from additional lottery funds, doubling the size of the programme when it launches (hopefully early next year)
December 10, 2024 at 3:43 PM
Brilliant to hear Sam Jones from @tnlcomfund.bsky.social announce to the @commwealthfund.bsky.social end of year campaign reception that the new Community Wealth Fund will benefit from additional lottery funds, doubling the size of the programme when it launches (hopefully early next year)
Fantastic to see new impetus for #community focused research from @ukri.org, and delighted that @localtrust.bsky.social will be a founding partner of the new Centre for Collaboration in Community Connectedness localtrust.org.uk/news-and-sto...
Introducing C4: A new research centre on community connectedness
We’re exploring how our research and learning from over a decade of studying Big Local can be used in the future. Our head of research and learning, Jayne Humm, explores the role a new research centre...
localtrust.org.uk
December 10, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Fantastic to see new impetus for #community focused research from @ukri.org, and delighted that @localtrust.bsky.social will be a founding partner of the new Centre for Collaboration in Community Connectedness localtrust.org.uk/news-and-sto...
A month to go in our Community Futures essay competition for early career researchers and policy professionals, PhD and graduate students and independent community practitioners. localtrust.org.uk/enter-local-...
Open for submissions until 10 January 2025! Explore the future of #communities in our essay competition for a chance to win £5,000 and to have your essay published. Find out how to enter at bit.ly/4gtVwNr
Enter Local Trust's Community Futures essay competition
Enter our Community Futures essay competition for a chance to win £5,000 and have your essay published.
bit.ly
December 9, 2024 at 10:36 AM
A month to go in our Community Futures essay competition for early career researchers and policy professionals, PhD and graduate students and independent community practitioners. localtrust.org.uk/enter-local-...
Great stuff from Andy Haldane in the @financialtimes.com. Whether at a neighbourhood level or the nation state, we need to rediscover the importance of #socialcapital www.ft.com/content/97c1...
December 9, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Great stuff from Andy Haldane in the @financialtimes.com. Whether at a neighbourhood level or the nation state, we need to rediscover the importance of #socialcapital www.ft.com/content/97c1...
Reposted by Matt Leach
Ahead of our seminar next week exploring effective #community leadership, we’re revisiting our research on the long-term impact of the Community Leadership Academy – set up in 2020 to help #BigLocal participants effecting change in their areas: bit.ly/3YOqDeQ
Understanding the long-term impact of the Community Leadership Academy
These three reports look at the experience and implementation of the Community Leadership Academy, a scheme set up in 2020 to help Big Local participants to effect change in their communities.
bit.ly
November 22, 2024 at 11:03 AM
Ahead of our seminar next week exploring effective #community leadership, we’re revisiting our research on the long-term impact of the Community Leadership Academy – set up in 2020 to help #BigLocal participants effecting change in their areas: bit.ly/3YOqDeQ
Reposted by Matt Leach
Open for submissions until 10 January 2025! Explore the future of #communities in our essay competition for a chance to win £5,000 and to have your essay published. Find out how to enter at bit.ly/4gtVwNr
Enter Local Trust's Community Futures essay competition
Enter our Community Futures essay competition for a chance to win £5,000 and have your essay published.
bit.ly
November 21, 2024 at 10:52 AM
Open for submissions until 10 January 2025! Explore the future of #communities in our essay competition for a chance to win £5,000 and to have your essay published. Find out how to enter at bit.ly/4gtVwNr
The best photo-op I ever set up. John Prescott at Wembley. With his ministerial team taking penalties against him. Something to do with the London referendum. Ended up being the caption round for a whole season of #HIGNFY RIP DPM
November 21, 2024 at 9:02 AM
The best photo-op I ever set up. John Prescott at Wembley. With his ministerial team taking penalties against him. Something to do with the London referendum. Ended up being the caption round for a whole season of #HIGNFY RIP DPM
Reposted by Matt Leach
Join journalists @louisetickle.bsky.social and @ryanhermanesq.bsky.social as they reconnect with individuals from across #BigLocal – and discover what happened next in the stories they explored earlier in the programme: bit.ly/4esz8BZ
'Where are they now?': The personal impact of Big Local
Former journalists-at-large reconnect with Big Local areas exploring pride in place and the personal impact the programme has had on their lives.
bit.ly
November 19, 2024 at 3:05 PM
Join journalists @louisetickle.bsky.social and @ryanhermanesq.bsky.social as they reconnect with individuals from across #BigLocal – and discover what happened next in the stories they explored earlier in the programme: bit.ly/4esz8BZ