Power to Change
@powertochange.org.uk
We are the think-do tank that backs community business. We turn bold ideas into action so communities have the power to change what matters to them.
powertochange.org.uk
powertochange.org.uk
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Celebrating ten years backing community business | Power to Change
We know community business works to create thriving places. We have seen and evidenced it over the last decade. We also know there is so much more they can do. This year we have been reflecting, celebrating, and looking to the future. With the right conditions, community businesses can help build an economy that works for people and the planet, give communities a greater say in the decisions that affect them, and support people to make meaningful connections within a community they can rely on. 📺Explore more from our campaign: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/celebrating-ten-years/ 🌟Special thanks to our community business contributors and their teams and community members for being part of this short film: Deana Bamford and Ian Wilson, Coalville C.A.N. https://coalvillecan.coop/pages/about-coalville-can Afzal Hussain, Witton Lodge, Birmingham: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/case-studies/witton-lodge-community-association/ Jane & Brian Dawe, SAFE Regeneration, Bootle: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/news-and-events/safe-regeneration/ Craig Pennington and Christopher Torpey, Future Yard, Liverpool: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/case-studies/future-yard/ 📚 You can read our essay collection 'From the ground up: Community business and Britain’s next decade': https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/research-and-reports/from-the-ground-up-community-business-and-britains-next-decade/ Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/powertochange.org.uk Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/9480564/
bit.ly
As we come to the end of our 10th year, we're looking to a future that's community-led - where community businesses build economies that work for people & planet & support people to make connections in a community they can rely on.
📺 Our new film brings this ambition to life: bit.ly/44BfuSi
📺 Our new film brings this ambition to life: bit.ly/44BfuSi
Our offices will close on 24 December and our social media channels will be taking a rest from today. We'll be back making the case for community businesses on 5 Jan! Wishing our friends and partners a great festive break. ✨
December 19, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Our offices will close on 24 December and our social media channels will be taking a rest from today. We'll be back making the case for community businesses on 5 Jan! Wishing our friends and partners a great festive break. ✨
Reposted by Power to Change
Interesting piece on the history of post-war place-based policy (which spells out some clear lessons for the government's pride in place programme)
With place and devolution back at the centre of political debate, it’s a timely reminder that those mapping a way forward should look at what has come before.
📘 Read Nick’s essay here:https://buff.ly/ElcnWP3
📚 Download the full collection:https://buff.ly/C34ukiN
📘 Read Nick’s essay here:https://buff.ly/ElcnWP3
📚 Download the full collection:https://buff.ly/C34ukiN
Looking back to move forwards: A historical perspective on community and public policy - Power to Change
This month's essay from Nick Garland explores how past regeneration efforts like the New Deal for Communities offer vital lessons for shaping sustainab ...
buff.ly
December 18, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Interesting piece on the history of post-war place-based policy (which spells out some clear lessons for the government's pride in place programme)
As we come to the end of our 10th year, we're looking to a future that's community-led - where community businesses build economies that work for people & planet & support people to make connections in a community they can rely on.
📺 Our new film brings this ambition to life: bit.ly/44BfuSi
📺 Our new film brings this ambition to life: bit.ly/44BfuSi
Celebrating ten years backing community business | Power to Change
We know community business works to create thriving places. We have seen and evidenced it over the last decade. We also know there is so much more they can do. This year we have been reflecting, celebrating, and looking to the future. With the right conditions, community businesses can help build an economy that works for people and the planet, give communities a greater say in the decisions that affect them, and support people to make meaningful connections within a community they can rely on. 📺Explore more from our campaign: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/celebrating-ten-years/ 🌟Special thanks to our community business contributors and their teams and community members for being part of this short film: Deana Bamford and Ian Wilson, Coalville C.A.N. https://coalvillecan.coop/pages/about-coalville-can Afzal Hussain, Witton Lodge, Birmingham: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/case-studies/witton-lodge-community-association/ Jane & Brian Dawe, SAFE Regeneration, Bootle: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/news-and-events/safe-regeneration/ Craig Pennington and Christopher Torpey, Future Yard, Liverpool: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/case-studies/future-yard/ 📚 You can read our essay collection 'From the ground up: Community business and Britain’s next decade': https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/research-and-reports/from-the-ground-up-community-business-and-britains-next-decade/ Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/powertochange.org.uk Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/9480564/
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
As we come to the end of our 10th year, we're looking to a future that's community-led - where community businesses build economies that work for people & planet & support people to make connections in a community they can rely on.
📺 Our new film brings this ambition to life: bit.ly/44BfuSi
📺 Our new film brings this ambition to life: bit.ly/44BfuSi
💡As our ten-year celebrations draw to a close, we’ve been reflecting on what the next decade of community business should learn from the last and what that means as we head into a new year.
December 17, 2025 at 10:33 AM
💡As our ten-year celebrations draw to a close, we’ve been reflecting on what the next decade of community business should learn from the last and what that means as we head into a new year.
⚡ While we wind down the year – and draw our ten year celebrations to a close – we’re spotlighting innovative thinkers in our 10 year essay collection.
Today take inspiration from @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, who is working for a world where tech works for 8 billion people not eight billionaires
Today take inspiration from @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, who is working for a world where tech works for 8 billion people not eight billionaires
December 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
⚡ While we wind down the year – and draw our ten year celebrations to a close – we’re spotlighting innovative thinkers in our 10 year essay collection.
Today take inspiration from @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, who is working for a world where tech works for 8 billion people not eight billionaires
Today take inspiration from @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, who is working for a world where tech works for 8 billion people not eight billionaires
Reposted by Power to Change
Yes. @powertochange.org.uk did some good work around a High St Buy Out Fund that would buy and hold property whilst communities were developing ideas/capacity. And yes, definitely let's get a coffee post Xmas! www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and....
Take back the high street: Why now is the time for a High Street Buyout Fund - Power to Change
This paper puts forward the concept of a High Street Buyout Fund – an agile fund which will purchase high street buildings and transfer these into community ...
www.powertochange.org.uk
December 13, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Yes. @powertochange.org.uk did some good work around a High St Buy Out Fund that would buy and hold property whilst communities were developing ideas/capacity. And yes, definitely let's get a coffee post Xmas! www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and....
A great read. Back on the Map are doing incredible things in Sunderland - local people coming together to transform their neighbourhoods and create opportunities.
Locality members Back on the Map are featured as part of @theguardian.com charity appeal. Back on the Map is transforming the local area, fostering hope and belonging, and bringing people together in a time where some communities feel more divided than ever.
theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘This country’s divided’: how a Sunderland charity is changing that – one house, park and shop at a time
Far-right rhetoric fuelled rioting here in 2024, but Back on the Map is helping to unite the community, through good accommodation, new shops, and an aim to genuinely uplift and improve people’s lives
theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:43 AM
A great read. Back on the Map are doing incredible things in Sunderland - local people coming together to transform their neighbourhoods and create opportunities.
#CommunityBusinessWeek may be over, but the movement continues! Read advice from others looking to make a change at the grassroots - and leave a message of your own:
👉 https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-we-do/community-business-week/#celebration_form
#PowertoChange10
👉 https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-we-do/community-business-week/#celebration_form
#PowertoChange10
December 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
#CommunityBusinessWeek may be over, but the movement continues! Read advice from others looking to make a change at the grassroots - and leave a message of your own:
👉 https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-we-do/community-business-week/#celebration_form
#PowertoChange10
👉 https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-we-do/community-business-week/#celebration_form
#PowertoChange10
🔦 Our next essay spotlight looks to Vidhya Alakeson, former Power to Change CEO, now in No. 10, who asks what community businesses can teach government about governing differently.
December 11, 2025 at 9:22 AM
🔦 Our next essay spotlight looks to Vidhya Alakeson, former Power to Change CEO, now in No. 10, who asks what community businesses can teach government about governing differently.
💡 Next up in our essay spotlight series: a thoughtful piece bursting with new ideas to take us into 2026 from @jamestplunkett.bsky.social (@kinship.works).
December 10, 2025 at 11:24 AM
💡 Next up in our essay spotlight series: a thoughtful piece bursting with new ideas to take us into 2026 from @jamestplunkett.bsky.social (@kinship.works).
Thank you to everyone who joined us this #CommunityBusinessWeek – from Newcastle to Bristol, we celebrated the incredible impact of community business 🌟
See photos and some highlights from our team who were out at #CommunityBusinessWeek events 👇
See photos and some highlights from our team who were out at #CommunityBusinessWeek events 👇
December 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Thank you to everyone who joined us this #CommunityBusinessWeek – from Newcastle to Bristol, we celebrated the incredible impact of community business 🌟
See photos and some highlights from our team who were out at #CommunityBusinessWeek events 👇
See photos and some highlights from our team who were out at #CommunityBusinessWeek events 👇
Last week, for #CommunityBusinessWeek we celebrated the community businesses that don’t just trade – but bring vibrancy back to our streets, offer places to meet, and build relationships and trust.
Explore their stories 👇
Explore their stories 👇
December 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Last week, for #CommunityBusinessWeek we celebrated the community businesses that don’t just trade – but bring vibrancy back to our streets, offer places to meet, and build relationships and trust.
Explore their stories 👇
Explore their stories 👇
⚖️ As the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill had its second reading in the Lords yesterday, lawmakers grappled with what real community empowerment looks like. For those searching for answers, Sacha Bedding’s essay is essential reading.
December 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
⚖️ As the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill had its second reading in the Lords yesterday, lawmakers grappled with what real community empowerment looks like. For those searching for answers, Sacha Bedding’s essay is essential reading.
📈 Our last Pulse survey of the year demonstrates community businesses’ sustained optimism, in sharp contrast to other small businesses. While other small businesses anticipate sizing down, many of the community businesses we spoke to are tackling how to grow.
December 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
📈 Our last Pulse survey of the year demonstrates community businesses’ sustained optimism, in sharp contrast to other small businesses. While other small businesses anticipate sizing down, many of the community businesses we spoke to are tackling how to grow.
@jesscraig.bsky.social explores for @labourlist.bsky.social how Community Investment Zones could transform the future of our high streets—bring life back to local economies, support small businesses & create vibrant, community-led spaces: bit.ly/48EGocX
'Britain’s high streets need Community Investment Zones' - LabourList
Community Investment Zones would give communities the tools to realise the next era of our high streets and town centres.
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 1:56 PM
@jesscraig.bsky.social explores for @labourlist.bsky.social how Community Investment Zones could transform the future of our high streets—bring life back to local economies, support small businesses & create vibrant, community-led spaces: bit.ly/48EGocX
Reposted by Power to Change
Here at the Fox and Goose, we believe in the power of community to create thriving places.
This #CommunityBusinessWeek, let's celebrate all the businesses that make our towns, cities and communities vibrant, resilient and inclusive.
This #CommunityBusinessWeek, let's celebrate all the businesses that make our towns, cities and communities vibrant, resilient and inclusive.
December 2, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Here at the Fox and Goose, we believe in the power of community to create thriving places.
This #CommunityBusinessWeek, let's celebrate all the businesses that make our towns, cities and communities vibrant, resilient and inclusive.
This #CommunityBusinessWeek, let's celebrate all the businesses that make our towns, cities and communities vibrant, resilient and inclusive.
🎉 Last night, @stretford.bsky.social hosted their #CommunityBusinessWeek event celebrating 10 years of community power!
Earlier this month, we published an essay by Simon Borkin, reflecting on the Hall's incredible journey – from community campaign to a thriving community business.
Earlier this month, we published an essay by Simon Borkin, reflecting on the Hall's incredible journey – from community campaign to a thriving community business.
December 5, 2025 at 2:18 PM
🎉 Last night, @stretford.bsky.social hosted their #CommunityBusinessWeek event celebrating 10 years of community power!
Earlier this month, we published an essay by Simon Borkin, reflecting on the Hall's incredible journey – from community campaign to a thriving community business.
Earlier this month, we published an essay by Simon Borkin, reflecting on the Hall's incredible journey – from community campaign to a thriving community business.
Community businesses don’t just trade – they transform places. Use our toolkit to tell your story:
✔ Post on social media
✔ Invite your community in
✔ Share your impact with local press
📥 Download the toolkit today: buff.ly/JWA2Y8S
#CommunityBusinessWeek
✔ Post on social media
✔ Invite your community in
✔ Share your impact with local press
📥 Download the toolkit today: buff.ly/JWA2Y8S
#CommunityBusinessWeek
December 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Community businesses don’t just trade – they transform places. Use our toolkit to tell your story:
✔ Post on social media
✔ Invite your community in
✔ Share your impact with local press
📥 Download the toolkit today: buff.ly/JWA2Y8S
#CommunityBusinessWeek
✔ Post on social media
✔ Invite your community in
✔ Share your impact with local press
📥 Download the toolkit today: buff.ly/JWA2Y8S
#CommunityBusinessWeek
🎄 #Gateshead! Join Edberts House today to light up the community with food, music & crafts. Join us 4.30–9pm. Find out more & join 👉 buff.ly/D3kJpdT
December 5, 2025 at 9:55 AM
🎄 #Gateshead! Join Edberts House today to light up the community with food, music & crafts. Join us 4.30–9pm. Find out more & join 👉 buff.ly/D3kJpdT
It was great to be with @civicsquare.bsky.social in Birmingham today for #CommunityBusinessWeek, reflecting on a year of community-led regeneration and neighbourhood retrofit. Inspiring site tours, talks and more, exploring how we build and celebrate more connected places in a changing climate.
December 4, 2025 at 8:19 PM
It was great to be with @civicsquare.bsky.social in Birmingham today for #CommunityBusinessWeek, reflecting on a year of community-led regeneration and neighbourhood retrofit. Inspiring site tours, talks and more, exploring how we build and celebrate more connected places in a changing climate.
Reposted by Power to Change
Great to make a trip today to Birmingham in my new role as a Trustee of @powertochange.org.uk to visit @civicsquare.bsky.social as part of Community Business Week. Lots to learn about retrofitting and community led regeneration.
December 4, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Great to make a trip today to Birmingham in my new role as a Trustee of @powertochange.org.uk to visit @civicsquare.bsky.social as part of Community Business Week. Lots to learn about retrofitting and community led regeneration.
🎉 Coming up today at #CommunityBusinessWeek!
📍 #Birmingham
CIVIC SQUARE reflect on a year of organising around street-scale and neighbourhood retrofit, with an afternoon of site tours, dinner & screenings. All exploring how we can build thriving neighbourhoods in a changing climate.
🕒 3:00–8:00pm
📍 #Birmingham
CIVIC SQUARE reflect on a year of organising around street-scale and neighbourhood retrofit, with an afternoon of site tours, dinner & screenings. All exploring how we can build thriving neighbourhoods in a changing climate.
🕒 3:00–8:00pm
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
🎉 Coming up today at #CommunityBusinessWeek!
📍 #Birmingham
CIVIC SQUARE reflect on a year of organising around street-scale and neighbourhood retrofit, with an afternoon of site tours, dinner & screenings. All exploring how we can build thriving neighbourhoods in a changing climate.
🕒 3:00–8:00pm
📍 #Birmingham
CIVIC SQUARE reflect on a year of organising around street-scale and neighbourhood retrofit, with an afternoon of site tours, dinner & screenings. All exploring how we can build thriving neighbourhoods in a changing climate.
🕒 3:00–8:00pm
🌍 Across England, local people are transforming their communities through community businesses—run by locals, for locals.
✅ 81% of staff & 91% of volunteers are from the community
✅ Nearly 70% pay the real Living Wage (vs just 1 in 7 UK employers)
This #CommunityBusinessWeek, celebrate yours!
✅ 81% of staff & 91% of volunteers are from the community
✅ Nearly 70% pay the real Living Wage (vs just 1 in 7 UK employers)
This #CommunityBusinessWeek, celebrate yours!
December 3, 2025 at 12:07 PM
🌍 Across England, local people are transforming their communities through community businesses—run by locals, for locals.
✅ 81% of staff & 91% of volunteers are from the community
✅ Nearly 70% pay the real Living Wage (vs just 1 in 7 UK employers)
This #CommunityBusinessWeek, celebrate yours!
✅ 81% of staff & 91% of volunteers are from the community
✅ Nearly 70% pay the real Living Wage (vs just 1 in 7 UK employers)
This #CommunityBusinessWeek, celebrate yours!
#CommunityBusinessWeek, so we're spotlighting innovative thinkers in our recent essay collection:
💡Bex (@platformplaces.bsky.social) has a vision for how community-led spaces can transform neighbourhoods, her essay looks at what it will take, and what's up for grabs if we get there.
buff.ly/DYqnRzw
💡Bex (@platformplaces.bsky.social) has a vision for how community-led spaces can transform neighbourhoods, her essay looks at what it will take, and what's up for grabs if we get there.
buff.ly/DYqnRzw
December 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
#CommunityBusinessWeek, so we're spotlighting innovative thinkers in our recent essay collection:
💡Bex (@platformplaces.bsky.social) has a vision for how community-led spaces can transform neighbourhoods, her essay looks at what it will take, and what's up for grabs if we get there.
buff.ly/DYqnRzw
💡Bex (@platformplaces.bsky.social) has a vision for how community-led spaces can transform neighbourhoods, her essay looks at what it will take, and what's up for grabs if we get there.
buff.ly/DYqnRzw
Reposted by Power to Change
‘Think-do tank’ Power to Change has played a key part in helping support STOs and community initiatives for ten years and has been instrumental in Kindred’s emergence and growth, giving us £1m in funding, start-up expertise and ongoing support.
Discover LCR’s STOs on Based: wearebased.co.uk
Discover LCR’s STOs on Based: wearebased.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:32 AM
‘Think-do tank’ Power to Change has played a key part in helping support STOs and community initiatives for ten years and has been instrumental in Kindred’s emergence and growth, giving us £1m in funding, start-up expertise and ongoing support.
Discover LCR’s STOs on Based: wearebased.co.uk
Discover LCR’s STOs on Based: wearebased.co.uk