Our Story
ACT was created by community leaders who spent ten years delivering change through the Big Local programme — one of the largest place-based funding initiatives ever supported by government. Each director has led a Big Local area, managing funding, empowering residents, and building strong community organisations from the ground up.
As the ten-year Big Local funding cycle came to an end, these leaders saw a common challenge: many local groups had built incredible momentum, skills, and relationships, but without continued support, they risked losing everything they had achieved. Rather than allowing communities to face this cliff-edge alone, the directors came together to form Amazing Communities Together (ACT) — a national network shaped by lived experience and rooted in the belief that communities must continue to thrive long beyond any single funding programme.
Why Us? Why Now?
ACT was founded to protect, strengthen, and grow the legacy of community-led action created through Big Local and similar grassroots initiatives. After a decade of hands-on experience, our founders understood that:
Community organisations need ongoing support, not just one-off funding
People closest to local issues must be the ones shaping the solutions
The connections built through Big Local — trust, networks, confidence — are too valuable to lose
A national platform for community influence and collaboration was missing
We were founded to ensure that local power doesn’t disappear when funding ends.
ACT creates the structure, support, and solidarity needed for community organisations to continue leading change, sharing learning, and building stronger futures together.
Community Impact
Even in our early stages, ACT has already begun to make a tangible difference by connecting, supporting, and strengthening community organisations across the country.
Sustained leadership after Big Local
We help former Big Local leaders continue influencing decisions, sharing their knowledge, and shaping the future of community-led development.
A national support network
ACT brings together people who have walked the same journey, creating a powerful peer network that provides encouragement, expertise, and practical help.
Training, coaching and confidence-building
We equip community groups with skills to grow, govern well, attract funding, and remain sustainable beyond the Big Local programme.
Stronger partnerships and collaboration
ACT connects community organisations with each other and with national partners, increasing opportunities, visibility, and access to support.
Protecting local voices and local power
By amplifying the experience of Big Local communities, we ensure their insights continue shaping policy, practice, and investment in community-led change.
Keeping momentum alive
Above all, ACT ensures that the progress, pride, and energy built over a decade does not fade — it grows, spreads, and influences change nationwide.
