This document provides information about the Big Local program in the Woolavington and Puriton areas. Big Local will provide over £1 million for residents to improve their community over 10 years. It is a resident-led initiative to identify local needs and take action to make the area "an even better place to live." The document outlines the key features of Big Local, the pathway communities will take which involves getting people involved, developing a vision, forming a partnership, creating a plan, implementation, evaluation and review. It provides contact information for the Big Local representative and next steps for the Woolavington and Puriton communities.

1. Woolavington and Puriton

2. : What we‟ll cover
Big Local – what‟s it all about?
The features of Big Local
The Big Local pathway
The support available
What do you think?
Contact information

3. : What‟s it all about?
150 areas across England
Woolavington and Puriton are in Wave 3
Big Local = residents making the area “an even better
place to live”
Bringing together local talent, ambitions, skills and
energy
Residents using at least £1m to make a
massive and lasting difference

4. Key features
Resident led
Inspire at the community level
Multiply in value/‟money as bait‟ (sponsorship, etc.)
Not just grants – also loans, investment, services
Encourage risks
Encourage connectivity
Thinks beyond 10 years
Reach and inclusion

5. Key features
Outcomes
Communities are able to identify local needs and take
action in response to them
People will have increased skills and confidence
so that they can continue to identify and respond to
need in the future
The community will make a difference to the needs it
prioritises
People will feel that their area is “an even better
place to live”

6. : What it‟s not
It‟s not a grant programme – the money is already
allocated you
It‟s not a government scheme with targets and
deadlines
It‟s not a bureaucratic process – you don‟t need to be an
expert
It‟s not about leaving you to get on with it

7. Woolavington and Puriton
Selected by Big Lottery and Sedgemoor
Woolavington parish
Puriton parish up to motorway
Population: c.4,080
Households: c.1,780

9. Recent local contact
Parish councils
Woolavington E-Watch
SRYP
Puriton Allotment group
Puriton Parish Plan group
Puriton playing fields
SCC, Sedgemoor DC, Sedgemoor Homes
Various individuals, shops, schools, newsletters

10. Pathway
Each area is different, but each area will follow a
pathway
The pathway is a series of steps to guide you on your
journey
Each area follows the Big Local pathway, developing a
unique programme of activity to achieve your vision

11. Pathway
Summary of the steps
Getting people involved
Exploring your Big Local vision
Forming your Big Local partnership
Creating a Big Local plan
Delivering your Big Local plan
Collecting the evidence
Reviewing your Big Local plan and partnership

12. Pathway
1. Getting people involved
Spreading the word about Big Local
Residents know how they can get involved
A combination of conversations, events, marketing and
activities to start making the area even better

13. Pathway
2. Exploring your Big Local vision
What do people like about your area now?
What exists already & what can you build on?
What would people like to change?
Finding out from a range of people in your area
Lots of different visions at this stage

14. Pathway
3. Forming your Big Local partnership
At least eight members
Majority of members are residents (51%)
Guides overall direction of Big Local
Ensures a diverse range of residents and
organisations are actively involved
Membership changes over time and is reviewed
annually

15. Pathway
4. Creating a Big Local plan
Build from the range of visions to a shared vision
for Woolavington and Puriton
Build on what‟s already good in the area
Plan describes how W&P will benefit and how it will
meet the four Big Local outcomes
Outline how you‟ll use the £1m over at least
10 years

16. Pathway
5. Delivering your Big Local plan
Involves a range of activities and strategies: grants,
social investments (loans) and paying for specialist
services
Draw on lots of different resources – it‟s more than
just money
Partnership will identify suitable locally trusted
organisations can administer some or all of the
funding, or if they wish Local Trust to help

17. Pathway
6. Collecting the evidence as we go along
Collect information to learn and adapt activities
Reflect and celebrate the work done so far
Local Trust will want reports on activities,
achievements funding distributed

18. Pathway
7. Reviewing your Big Local plan & partnership
Both the plan and partnership will be reviewed
each year
Open, critical reflection on how the partnership
and plan are achieving the outcomes
Identify and make required changes

19. Reps
Support your area along the pathway
Provide advice and critical challenge
Represents Local Trust in your area, and reports back
to them
Rep role is „light touch‟

20. Support
Range of support offered including:
The Big Local rep
Local Trust website localtrust.org.uk; W&P has its own page
Monthly Big Local newsletter
„Getting Started‟ funding programme (£20,000 for your area to
start this work).
Events to meet and learn from other areas
Opportunities to become „star people‟ – social entrepreneurs
Big Local publications and resources

21. What happens next?
People get involved and spread the word
Big Local meetings in Woolavington and Puriton
Interim contact / steering group
„Getting Started‟ funding programme (£20,000 for your
area to start this work). Requires a „locally trusted‟
organisation to hold the money.

22. What do you think?
Who should be involved?
How to spread the word?
Who wants to help?
What should I be concentrating on?
Role of CCS Village Agent?
Use of parish notice boards

23. Contact
Julian Mellor – Big Local Rep
Mob: 0777 929 3501
E: julian@2md.co.uk
Website: wpbiglocal.wordpress.com
Local Trust: www.localtrust.org.uk