The {XXXX} Big Local story (2014)
The things we do or fund to make
a difference (activities)
The differences we want to make
(changes/results)
1. Activities that preserve or improve the appearance
of our green spaces and our local heritage e.g.
canals, alleyways, tree planting, engaging
volunteers to help improve local park
2. Activities that preserve or improve the appearance
of our open spaces – eg, notice boards, litter picks

3. Activities that promote community access/
enjoyment of our open spaces e.g. growing
projects, allotments
 Our open spaces are (and
look) better cared for
 Our open spaces are more
accessible and welcoming
 More people are involved in
activities that protect or
improve our local environment
and heritage
 More use of our parks and open
spaces (that is, they are better
used by all parts of the
community)
 Local businesses are better
promoted(?)
 More people are shopping
locally/supporting local
businesses
4. Activities to support and promote local businesses
5. Working with CDFI and credit union on financial
literacy and lending issues

6. Support for new businesses and entrepreneurs
e.g. UnLtd and loans
 People experiencing financial
hardship are better informed
about financial options/issues
 People with business and
enterprise ideas have better
access to the support they
need to make them happen
Long-term change
(end goals)
1.
An improved
environment that is
cared for and
enjoyed by our
community

(our environment and
heritage story – this is about
making the best of what we
have so all can enjoy it now
and in the future)
 More local employment
opportunities
 People make more wellinformed financial decisions
 Reduced levels of debt/financial
hardship

 More local enterprises/small
businesses are created
2.
More thriving
economy that local
people can
contribute to and
benefit from
(our economic well-being
story)
7. Community events – organising, supporting and/or
taking part in community events
8. Activities that raise awareness of and links
between local groups
9. Activities by and for young people, families and
older people

10. Creating opportunities for people to share
skills/time e.g. child-minding, LETS schemes
11. Communications – eg, website, newsletter,
facebook and notice boards
12. Working with partners to ensure local people have
a say on the issues that affect them.
13. Activities that inspire and support local people to
put their skills and talents to good use in the
community

14. Giving people opportunities to speak out about
issues that affect them
 People have more opportunities to
come together, including across
the community (e.g. families
mixing with people of different
ages)
 People will be more aware of
the opportunities and
services available locally
(more aware of what’s going
on in our area)
 More members of the community
will be not just taking part in
activities but setting them up and
supporting them
 More people will be
accessing existing groups
and project and activities in
the community
 Groups/organisations work better
together to address local needs
 Local people have more
say/influence on the plans
and services that affect those
who live, work in the area
 The resources available to us are
used in more creative and
resourceful ways to make a
difference
15. Conducting research into issues, solutions and new
ideas
 We will be better able to identify
and act on local needs
16. Investing in our own learning and development as
a partnership
 More people will be aware of Big
Local
17. Ongoing and two-way communications e.g.
newsletter, blog, social media

 More local people will be getting
involved with Big Local
 More local people make an
active contribution to
community activities
 We will have increased our
skills and confidence in
making a difference
 We will be making a
difference to the needs we’ve
prioritised
3.
A community where
people feel connected
 and able to take part
in what’s going on
(our coming together or
community spirit story)
4.
Local people have
more influence on
the things that affect
 local quality of life
(our story about having a
voice and influence, a story
about collective ‘agency’)

5.
Lasting and
sustainable change
(our story about making
things last longer-term)
Note: This was simply the evaluation team’s attempt to capture in one place the area’s most important activities and changes. It is only intended for the area to use if it
seems a useful way to summarise its main activities and the main differences it wants to make. The idea is that any activity you do (anything that appears in the first
column) should contribute to at least one of the area’s important changes, that is, it should be relevant to the long-term goals for the area and changes that matter to this
Big Local. We appreciate that some activities contribute to different stories but we felt it useful and simpler for this exercise to place the activities next to the story they
most contributed to rather than repeat them in the table.