Date/Time: Wednesday 24 June 2026, 10:00am–12:00pm

Format: Online (link sent on registration) Cost: Free

About this event

Big Local invested in 150 communities across England, and the people and organisations that supported that investment learned hard lessons about what it takes to devolve power to residents — and what happens when things go wrong.

This session draws directly on the experience of Big Local areas in the West Midlands. It examines different models of infrastructure support, the practical challenges of building resident-led governance, and how organisations responded when partnerships broke down and had to be rebuilt.

Case studies come from WMCAVA — an infrastructure organisation that supported Big Local areas in Nuneaton and Bedworth — and Welsh House Farm Big Local in Birmingham, where a consultant helped three legacy organisations become operational CICs while navigating delicate community relationships.

Speakers include Alison Thompson (WCAVA) and Maxine Ricketts (Local Trust), with facilitated discussion and breakout time built in.

You will come away with:

• A clearer picture of different infrastructure support models and when each is appropriate

• Practical approaches to shifting decision-making power to residents

• Insight into managing partnership conflict and building recovery

Who should attend This session is open to anyone working in or around place-based and neighbourhood change. It will be particularly relevant to VCSE infrastructure bodies, local authorities, place-based funders, and practitioners involved in community governance or organisational development.

Delivered by West Midlands Funders Network and Heart of England Community Foundation, in partnership with Local Trust.