QSA supports a number of Big Local community projects in London.
Big Local is a national initiative run by Local Trust, providing 150 communities across England with £1m each to use as they see fit by March 2026. Funding is long term, resident-led and non-prescriptive; an opportunity for skilled and passionate local people to build up capacity and confidence to make decisions on what is best for their area.
Since 2018, QSA has been supporting some of these communities in London to help them achieve their ambitions. As the ‘local trusted organisation’ for these projects, we draw from our depth of experience and enthusiasm in helping communities to flourish; providing a sounding board, and careful oversight of the funding.
Each of these community projects has its own website – if you are a local resident, funder or other local stakeholder please see the following websites for information on Big Local activities in these areas:
- Barnfield Big Local (Royal Borough of Greenwich)
- Pimlico Million (City of Westminster)
- Plaistow South Big Local (London Borough of Newham)
These projects are being supported through Big Local and administered by Local Trust for the Big Lottery Fund.
Why QSA is involved in Big Local
The national Big Local programme is boldly different from other community funding programmes. The approach has a number of elements: a long lifespan of 10-15 years; light touch reporting; taking time to build up capacity and confidence within each local area. The programme aims to incorporate the very best approaches to community development: genuine ownership by local residents; nurturing a sense of common cause; being realistic about the challenges of engaging communities, and the need to support and replenish the energies of those who get involved.
Prior to our roles as 'local trusted organisation' for Big Local projects, QSA delivered a project for seven years along similar principles – our Knees Up project in Tower Hamlets. QSA was keen to make use of its experience to support communities in their efforts to make their local areas even better places to live, through Big Local. We bring a solid understanding of the opportunities and risks of the Big Local approach, whilst acknowledging and celebrating the fact that each of the areas we support has distinctive priorities, strengths and needs.
In summary, we are involved with Big Local because it aligns with QSA's mission: supporting people to seek their own solutions to the issues affecting their lives.