Our framework for Place
A practical guide for funders
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The places where we live and work define who we are and what we do. They determine the nature of our relationships with our fellow citizens and the communities we create together.
Interest in place-based working has gained significant traction in recent years. Shrinking resources and growing demands for devolution have fuelled a desire to empower communities to have greater control over the places they live in. While many organisations talk about taking a place-based approach, they often mean different things. Place-based working is not a static process; most funders are on a journey.
We’ve developed this framework to share common characteristics we’ve identified from our consulting and think tank work, which we believe will prove invaluable for developing your own place-based projects.
Our case studies bring together examples of place-based programmes from across the UK. Some are funder-led programmes while others are led by the public or third sector. We felt that all have interesting lessons for funders who are exploring how to achieve impact in a place.
Ten ways charities and funders are embracing Place
York Pathways
York Pathways is a partnership originally led by Lankelly Chase to tackle the causes of serious mental distress in the city.
Case Study: York Pathways
Blackpool Pride of Place
People from the business, voluntary and public sectors coming together to promote economic development and tackle local issues.
Case Study: Blackpool Pride of Place
Lambeth Together
Lambeth Together is a collaboration of health services in the London Borough of Lambeth seeking to improve care for residents.
Case Study: Lambeth Together
Corra Foundation
Corra's flagship place programme to support the many areas of Scotland where grants and services were not reaching.
Case Study: Corra Foundation
Guy's and St Thomas' Charity
Taking on interlinked drivers behind major health issues, in collaboration with a wide diversity of partners and taking a whole-systems approach.
Case Study: Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity
Hull Community Development Programme
The Rank Foundation’s flagship place-based programme in Hull, identifying local leaders and giving them the support they need.
Case Study: Hull Community Development Programme
Islington Giving
Islington Giving’s approach has been at the forefront of London’s Giving Movement which is now active in 20 boroughs across the city.
Case Study: Islington Giving
The Preston Model
Since 2013 Preston has undergone significant economic regeneration using a non-traditional grassroots method called Community Wealth Building.
Case Study: The Preston Model
Childrens Zones
Projects aiming to break the cycle of generational poverty by addressing the whole context around a child’s journey of growing up.
Case Study: Children’s Zones
The Sutton Plan
A route for the council and the clinical commissioning group to sustain and develop a good quality of life for those in the Borough.
Case Study: The Sutton PlanAt NPC we are building a rich archive of place-based examples, so far identifying 98 programmes (and counting) in the UK alone. We are keen to hear from organisations (in the UK and abroad) who are taking different place-based approaches and who are happy to share their learning with others.
If you are interested in sharing your experiences or ideas, please get in touch.
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What does ‘place’ mean in the context of policy? And what does it mean for charities, policymakers and private funders?
Our pledge on place and the future of the social sector
Our commitment, signed by charities, funders and infrastructure bodies to work in a way that emphasises place as a positive way to achieve the changes we are all working towards.
Snapshots of the sector 2019: Place
2016’s State of the Sector research suggested that charities were grappling with how to reshape their relationships with the state.
