Place-based approaches
The places in which we live and work influence what we do and determine many of our relationships. And a shared sense of place can unite us despite our differences.
Rather than focusing on isolated interventions, a ‘place-based approach’ makes the most of these connections. By considering the whole community—how it works and what it needs—and collaborating with different sectors, a place-based approach aims to make a lasting difference to people’s lives. We believe place should be at the heart of the government’s levelling up agenda.
To find out more about NPC’s current work on place-based approaches, read this outline for our new Coordination in place project.
Our framework for place is a practical guide for funders, built on common characteristics we’ve identified from our consulting and think tank work.
We’re also building a network of social sector organisations to advocate for place-based approaches and develop innovative ideas. Contact us to join our pledge on place.
Get in touch
Have a question, or want to work with us on place-based approaches? Get in touch with Nicola Pritchard NPC’s Place-based approaches Lead.
Drop us a lineFeatured resources and commentary on place-based approaches
Our framework for Place
The places where we live and work define who we are and what we do. 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.
Radical roots to practical action—the case for place
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.
Are we failing to focus on disadvantaged places?
New research has revealed the scale of the problem in local government finances in the most disadvantaged areas of the country. Is it time for the social sector to come together in a coalition for change to help tackle this looming crisis—and prevent it from happening again?
To tackle the country’s divisions, we must start locally
Clare Thomas, Consultant, London's Giving
It’s a much-pondered topic: the divisions revealed by the Brexit vote and what it will take to heal them. But how can we tackle national polarisation without first addressing it at a local level? Clare Thomas argues this case, with a focus on how funders can lead the way. She uses some London based initiatives to illustrate how we can use place to unite people where they are divided by other issues.
What is changed by collaboration in a place?
Continuing our exploration of 'place', Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council Imogen Walker reflects on the opportunities and dangers of greater collaboration between the voluntary sector and local government.
Embracing place-based collaboration: Lessons from Somerset
What does cross-sector collaboration in health and care look like in a particular place? NPC has captured learning from the initial stages of the The Richmond Group of Charities' work in Somerset, which explored what new ways of working across sectors in a specific geographic area could look like. Here we share three lessons from the work.
Towards a new relationship with the state
The research from our recent State of the Sector work examined the building blocks for a new relationship between charities and the state, we then explored this conversation further at our annual conference, NPC Ignites. In this blog Erica Bertolotto shares her insights from this session.
Some problems with place
With place-based problem solving growing in popularity among policy and civil society circles, Dan Corry sets out some of the issues
We need a new social contract. A local one.
Neil McInroy, CEO, CLES
A lot has changed since the post-war founding of the welfare state, and the social contract that went with it is eroding. Austerity has undoubtedly changed things, and so has devolution. Neil McInroy argues that to build social justice, we need a new social contract: and that this includes one that is local to place and community; one that balances the strengths of the private, public and social sectors; one in which we make sure businesses do their bit.
Latest updates
How has place-based coordination changed?
We’re tracking three areas to understand how places are adapting to meet evolving needs in their communities. NPC has published an interim paper for this 'Coordination in place' project. This blog sets out some findings from our research so far.
Coordination in place: Interim report
This is an interim report for our 'Coordination in place' project. We’re tracking three areas, to understand how these places are adapting to meet evolving needs in their communities.
Place-based approaches, collaboration and working on future issues in response to Covid-19
Grapevine chose to create the space to get ahead on future issues, rather than focusing on emergency response during the pandemic. We must now start to proactively build the economic and social capital needed to take action on the causes of tomorrow’s problems.
Five questions your trustees should ask about place
We recently ran a seminar to explore what place-based working means in the context of trusteeship. Place-based approaches involve coordinating work at the local level to achieve outcomes that meet the needs of local people. What can boards be doing to help implement these approaches?
Build on the social aspect of towns
Dan Corry argues the 'levelling up' discussion about towns must take into account the social side not just physical infrastructure, which will require local and national government to get to grips with the social sector.
Where are England’s charities?
Are they in the right places and what can we do if they are not? In this provocation paper Dan Corry uses data to ask if the current distribution of charities around the country is what we would want in an ideal world and explores what government, funders and charities could do about it.
What can UK charities learn about place based work from the international humanitarian sector?
In recent years there has been renewed interest both in the UK charity and international humanitarian sectors, in place-based approaches. Why is this? Are they talking about the same kind of work? And does terminology matter? NPC Consultant Elizabeth Parker sheds light on the issue.
Transforming young people’s experience of Shakespeare
In this guest blog, Jacqui O’Hanlon from the Royal Shakespeare Company shares how to use place, partnerships and youth leadership to engage young people in arts and culture.
Our framework for Place
The places where we live and work define who we are and what we do. 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.
Radical roots to practical action—the case for place
What does ‘place’ mean in the context of policy? And what does it mean for charities, policymakers and private funders?
The importance of people and place in creating effective lasting social change in communities
Sally-Anne Greenfield, newly appointed trustee of NPC talks about why she believes our new strategy is an important step in the right direction.
Labour’s Civil Society Strategy
Labour launched its own Civil Society Strategy this week. Here Tom Collinge, NPC Media and Communications Manager draws out what this means for charities and funders.
