Document Category: General Charitable Purposes

This report explores the role and impact of Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) in the Big Local programme, which empowers residents in 150 areas in England to lead community transformation. LTOs manage funding, provide governance, and support resident-led decision-making. The research highlights the dynamic and complex relationships between LTOs, Big Local partnerships, and Local Trust, emphasizing the importance of trust, clear communication, and effective governance. Recommendations include improving induction processes, regular relationship reviews, and sharing transferable learning to support resident-led change beyond Big Local.
The report advocates for sustained policy and infrastructure support for community-led initiatives

The Big Local programme uses key service providers, known as Locally Trusted Organisations. Their main role is to manage Big Local funding on behalf of volunteer-led partnerships. This paper sets out what Local Trust knows about Locally Trusted Organisations in general and in relation to resident-led decision making and control. It identifies gaps in knowledge and questions to explore through research. This is mostly focused on instances where the relationship does not work.

A complete toolkit that explores what co-production is, information on 5 key themes – collaboration, diversity, respect, empowerment and involvement. This document has links to further documents and resources that may be useful for those who are exploring their co-production journey and how to include people from their community within their organisation(s) or service(s).

This guide provides practical advice for councils on how in‑house services can be delivered through alternative models such as social enterprises, staff mutuals, cooperatives and other employee‑led organisations. The publication includes the top ten issues to assess when evaluating a proposal, sample response letters, and guidance on TUPE, pensions and procurement. It may also be useful for VCFSE organisations to understand how local government is expected to assess and respond to such requests, offering insight into the processes and considerations councils must follow.

Official detailed CIC annual report form example, to demonstrate what the CIC regulator is looking for from a report to demonstrate public benefit. Also includes a link to gov.uk website for further guidance and support completing the form

Official simplified CIC annual report form example, to demonstrate what the CIC regulator is looking for from a report to demonstrate public benefit. Also includes a link to gov.uk website for further guidance and support completing the form

Trends, approvals, dissolutions and case studies of CICs – useful context for VCFSEs weighing CIC structures for traded income.

Explains how social value is evaluated in public procurement and includes award criteria and metrics. May be useful to help VCFSE organisations see how they can demonstrate outcomes or align with government processes.

Government guidance on CICs: things to consider, asset lock, dividend caps, statutory obligations etc. Useful for charities exploring diversification.

Hidden Somerset is a series of short reports looking at aspects of life in Somerset that are often hidden from view. By lifting the lid on the experience and insights of frontline grassroots charities that work at the heart of our communities, we aim to stimulate debate and understanding across a wider audience, helping to inspire new and more impactful philanthropy.

The HPC Community Fund, which is
funded by EDF, continues to award grants
to communities that are experiencing the
changes brought about by the construction
of Hinkley Point C, to improve their
quality of life and wellbeing.

Throughout this review, you’ll
find several stories highlighting
how carefully directed funding,
channelled through Somerset’s
brilliant local charities and social
enterprises, can transform lives and
build stronger communities.

This report draws on community consultation to tell us how our funding could support older people across Somerset