Place-based approaches
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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 the place-based model has a great deal to offer, and we want to ensure charities and funders play a fundamental part in any place-based work.
Key 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.
Peppa Pig & place shaping projects
What have traditional local government and civil society approaches to problems got in common with Peppa Pig characters? Well according to Tom Alexander, Head of Commissioning & Corporate Improvement in Sutton, they're both two dimensional. And the similarities don't end there.
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.
Why the sector needs to engage with devolution
The devolution of more powers and resources to local government is an opportunity for the sector, but civil society has not been a large part of this dialogue. Neil McInroy reflects on what was discussed during his session on localism at NPC Ignites, and explains why charities should be more engaged with devolution process.
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 line