Big Society

Eden Valley Communities – Big Society in Action

The Big Society is the Government's vision of a society where individuals and communities have more power and responsibility, and use it to create better neighbourhoods and local services. Rural communities in Cumbria have a long tradition of self-reliance. Residents are well used to finding their own solutions to local issues.

Thanks to the enthusiasm and advocacy of Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith & the Borders, three groups of communities in the Eden Valley were included as a rural pilot in the Big Society Vanguard programme announced by the Prime Minister on 19^th July 2010.

Since then local people have worked closely with Rory and with colleagues from a range of government departments and agencies to take forward key projects that had been previously identified in the Community Led Plans that each had prepared.

What has been taking place here in Eden is of national interest. ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT), with the support of the North West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership and Eden District Council, has been observing and recording the work of local residents, producing a set of case studies and guidance sheets (see below) , and a full report of findings.

Big Society: Rural Action

A conference celebrating the achievements of the Eden Valley communities and their role as the only rural Big Society vanguard took place at the Rheged Centre on Saturday 18 June 2011.

Over 100 people gathered at the Rheged Centre to hear about the experiences and achievements that are really making a difference to the people involved in the Eden Valley Big Society Vanguard.

The conference, organised by Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) and supported by Eden District Council and the North West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (NWIEP), included key speakers from national Government, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), and Eden District Council, all of whom spoke about the changes brought forward by the Big Society agenda.

In particular, it also included presentations by community representatives showcasing their experiences of being part of the vanguard, and celebrating some of the projects that they are delivering, including Affordable Housing and Community Land Trusts; Community Transport; Renewable Energies (Anaerobic Digester; Wind; Solar; Hydro), Community Assets, and Neighbourhood Planning.

A range of case studies and Guidance Sheets have been produced, and ACT has made this material as widely available as possible through their website so that other communities can benefit from the learning that has taken place in the Eden Valley.

Case Studies

Community Owned Enterprise

Community Renewable Energy

Community Housing

Neighbourhood Planning

Community Broadband

Community Transport

Click here for more, including Video Case Studies

Guidance Sheets

ACT Guidance Sheet – Community Owned Enterprises

ACT Guidance Sheet – Community Renewable Energy

ACT Guidance Sheet – Community Land Trusts and Housing