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maddiejennings.bsky.social
Madeleine Jennings
@maddiejennings.bsky.social
900 followers 960 following 160 posts
Head of policy and communications @localtrust.bsky.social | Policy & strategic comms | Spotlight on England’s doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods
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Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
rmudie96.bsky.social
Some worrying new data from the ONS today.

- Healthy Life Expectancy in the most deprived areas has *fallen* for both men and women, compared to both 2019 and 2021 data

- Life Expectancy in the most deprived areas has still not recovered since COVID
April 15, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
What do children and young people need to thrive?
In this blog, Local Trust staff members, Laura Fisher and Cameron Pannell-Rae, share how resident-led action in Big Local areas helped young people feel connected, supported and involved in shaping their local area: localtrust.org.uk/news-and-sto...
Graphic for a Local Trust and Big Local article titled 'Youth matters: what Big Local taught us about supporting young people', featuring headshots of co-authors Laura Fisher- senior researcher and Cameron Pannell-Rae - senior public affairs and communications officer.
March 19, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
'Below the radar' organisations are often volunteer-led and unregistered, yet they provide vital support in their communities.

We’re pleased to support @360giving.org's report 'Below the Radar 2' that highlights the impact of these organisations, & explores the funding that sustains them.
March 10, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
ipprnorth.bsky.social
👥 Local democracy is about to change... 🗳️

Government’s plan to scrap district councils in favour of unitary authorities risks moving local residents further from power - unless action is taken to empower communities.

@ryanswift93.bsky.social explains why that matters...
February 19, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
Since 2015, almost 5,000 people have volunteered in Big Local.
In this Charity People podcast episode, we explore volunteering in Big Local, with @maddiejennings.bsky.social discussing how it strengthens communities and how the government can support volunteer-led initiatives: https://bit.ly/3MT0NEo
February 20, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
Local Trust is a time-limited trust, closing in 2027.
We explore what this means in 'Better to spend out...?', a new report with Shared Intelligence on:
-the value of time-limited trusts
- what they have in common
- how they shape decision-making, delivery and impact
Read it here: bit.ly/45XzUFP
Green graphic with the Local Trust logo, which includes the words “trusting local people”, at the top left, and the Shared Intelligence logo at the top right. Large text reads, “How did being a time-limited trust benefit Local Trust?” followed by, “Our research highlights three areas where the time-limited model made a particular difference:”. A right-pointing arrow and the National Lottery Community Fund logo appear in the bottom right. Green slide with the Local Trust logo, including the words “trusting local people”, at the top left, and the Shared Intelligence logo at the top right. The heading reads “Patience”. Body text says: “A long-term horizon meant no pressure to spend fast. This created time to: build partnerships; develop trust; agree on local priorities. As confidence grew, spending increased – a pace hard to sustain in short funding cycles.” The National Lottery Community Fund logo is in the bottom right. Green slide with the Local Trust logo, including the words “trusting local people”, at the top left, and the Shared Intelligence logo at the top right. The heading reads “Flexibility”. Body text says: “Knowing funding was secure until 2026 gave communities freedom to: experiment; learn from mistakes; change direction. Support could adapt over time, rather than reacting to short-term results.” The National Lottery Community Fund logo appears in the bottom right. Green slide with the Local Trust logo, including the words “trusting local people”, at the top left, and the Shared Intelligence logo at the top right. The heading reads “Influence”. Body text says: “Being designed to close strengthened our independence. It allowed Local Trust to: act as an honest broker; invest in long-term policy and research; stay insulated from political cycles.” The National Lottery Community Fund logo is shown at the bottom right.
February 9, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
In a new blog for the Local Government Chronicle, @maddiejennings.bsky.social sets out lessons in neighbourhood renewal from Big Local and highlights how Learning from Big Local brings evidence together to support further community-led change

Read the blog here: https://bit.ly/4bEBS1n
A white page with a navy border shows an article titled “Madeleine Jennings: Lessons in neighbourhood renewal” with the LGC logo and the words “Local Government Chronicle” in the top right. The text reads: “After 14 years and £1m invested in each of 150 areas, Big Local offers a blueprint for the future of civic life, writes the head of policy and communications at Local Trust.” A red pull-quote says, “Much of Big Local’s success was relational – grounded in making connections between neighbours and across areas,” alongside body text: “Big Local was unique. It placed funding and decision-making directly in the hands of residents, rebuilding community capacity and civic fabric that had been eroded nationwide. Unlike traditional grants overseen by Westminster or local councils, Big Local trusted communities to lead. Its decade-long horizon focused on process rather than quick wins, creating lasting change.”
February 6, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
🎙️Listen to this episode of the Local Authority podcast, where we discuss why neighbourhood working is back on the political agenda.
Here, @maddiejennings.bsky.social draws on our Big Local experience to discuss the benefits & challenges that come from working at this level: https://bit.ly/4rAjM5A
February 4, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
Can a charitable mission succeed without engaging those in power? Our head of policy & communications @maddiejennings.bsky.social recently appeared on the @thirdsector.co.uk podcast, where she shared why real change needs relationships as well as evidence.

🎧 Listen now: https://bit.ly/49LA5q7
January 28, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
In this blog, our head of policy and communications, @maddiejennings.bsky.social sets out why we are proud to support @right-here.org's Blueprint for community-powered neighbourhood governance. She also also explores six principles that underpin community-powered governance - read it below👇
right-here.org We're Right Here @right-here.org · Jan 29
After 15 years of #BigLocal, @localtrust.org.uk has built deep insight into what works in unlocking community power and neighbourhood-level change.

In a new blog, they set out how new neighbourhood governance arrangements could draw on those lessons.

www.right-here.org/what-big-loc...
What Big Local taught us about community power and neighbourhood governance - We're Right Here
Local Trust reflects on 15 years of the Big Local programme and shares insights that can help shape the future of community-powered change.
www.right-here.org
January 30, 2026 at 1:41 PM
maddiejennings.bsky.social
Great to be at the launch of “No Shortcuts: Towards a National Strategy for Neighbourhood Recovery” from @iconeighbours.bsky.social @localtrust.org.uk insights into community-led neighbourhood regen based on #LearningfromBigLocal are now a strategy for turning around the UK’s most deprived areas
January 28, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
thirdsector.co.uk
🎧 Podcast: Engaging civil servants and politicians to further your charitable mission

@emilyharle.bsky.social and Dami Adewale hear from @maddiejennings.bsky.social how @localtrust.org.uk has been working with local and national-level officials on its Big Local programme
Third Sector: Engaging civil servants and politicians to further your charitable mission
Emily Harle and Dami Adewale are joined by Madeleine Jennings, head of policy and communications at the Local Trust.Madeleine describes how her team has worked to translate lessons learned from the...
podfollow.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
Is the budget just another ‘fiscal event’ that can’t give us what we need?

As the much-anticipated Autumn budget approaches, our head of policy and communications @maddiejennings.bsky.social reflects on what it can – or can’t – do for disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

🔗 bit.ly/4p7vaEs
A split-image graphic features a bright green left panel with the Local Trust logo on the top left, followed by “Another ‘fiscal event’ that can’t give us what we need,” and at the bottom, “Madeleine Jennings Head of policy and communications, Local Trust,” along with three dots and a pencil icon. The right panel shows a smiling woman with long light-brown hair, wearing patterned earrings, a light top, and a dark blazer, with the National Lottery Community Fund logo in the lower-right corner.
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
Our head of policy & comms @maddiejennings.bsky.social will be speaking at the launch of @thetcpa.bsky.social's new suite of Community Planning Guides, which will cover practical ways for communities to tackle the most pressing issues in relation to climate change.
🔗Register: https://bit.ly/4h6WBeR
A graphic for a Launch Webinar on the Practical Hope Community Guides about flooding, overheating, and community retrofit. The event is on Tuesday 21 October, 7–8 pm. The text explains that it will showcase practical ways for communities to tackle climate change challenges. At the bottom are images of three guide covers: “Community guide to retrofit,” “Community guide to flood risk,” and “Community guide to overheating.” Colorful bunting decorates the top of the image.
October 14, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
In our latest blog, our head of policy and communications @maddiejennings.bsky.social reflects on the significance of this report and outlines practical opportunities for the government to make neighbourhood renewal real. Read it here: bit.ly/4q3E5rR

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Devolving powers: why neighbourhoods hold the key to government success
This report calls on the government to shift power to neighbourhoods through investment and participation to achieve national renewal
bit.ly
October 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
📢Our head of policy and communications @maddiejennings.bsky.social is speaking at the launch of @thetcpa.bsky.social's new community planning guides as part of their Practical Hope: Inspiration for Community Action series.

📅 21 October
🕖7 - 8 pm
🔗 bit.ly/46EBV9e

[1/2]
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Launch Webinar: Practical Hope Community Guides. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Practical Hope: Inspiration for Community Action Please join us for the launch of the TCPA’s new suite of Community Planning Guides as part of the TCPA’s Practical Hope: Inspiration for Community…
bit.ly
October 1, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
🚨Government acts on Local Trust’s call to put residents in charge of neighbourhood renewal.
We welcome the government's announcement of its Pride in Place strategy, which gives 339 local communities funding and control over how it’s spent.
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Green graphic with the Local Trust logo at the top left, which says "Local Trust trusting local people." At the top right is an icon of two hands clasped together with lines radiating outward. Large bold text in the center reads: "Residents to lead neighbourhood renewal." Below, in smaller text: "We welcome the Government’s announcement of its Pride in Place strategy. The announcement reflects Local Trust’s campaign for residents to be given the resources and decision-making power to rebuild their own communities." At the bottom right is the National Lottery Community Fund logo.
September 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
maddiejennings.bsky.social
@localtrust.org.uk is co-hosting a reception for the voluntary sector at @libdems.org.uk conference with @lbfew.bsky.social & @royalvolservice.bsky.social - 21/09 in Bournemouths - we'll be joined by @lisasmartmp.bsky.social
Email [email protected] to register.
September 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
[1/2] It was great to join community leaders, charities, and politicians at the Centre for Democratic Business’ Stronger Local Places conference yesterday, where we discussed the importance of social clubs, and how they can adapt and survive in these changing times.
September 12, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
[2/2] Speaking at the conference, our head of policy & comms @maddiejennings.bsky.social highlighted the work of Big Local areas to emphasise, “Social clubs are among the engines of social capital, improving outcomes in health, education, employment & wellbeing.”
Read her reflections: bit.ly/4mjeb0n
It was such a joy to speak at the Centre for Democratic Business conference on rebuilding the social club movement. Conference doesn’t feel like the right word, something about the setting in the… |...
It was such a joy to speak at the Centre for Democratic Business conference on rebuilding the social club movement. Conference doesn’t feel like the right word, something about the setting in the Mi...
bit.ly
September 12, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
In this piece, Tracy shares how Big Local brought people together and transformed relationships across its several local estates: bit.ly/47vsPOj

[2/2]
Changemakers: Bringing divided neighbourhoods together in the West Midlands
Tracy Lowe has led a youth club in her Black Country community for three decades. Now, she chairs Grace Mary to Lion Farm (GM2LF) Big Local, which is transforming relationships across several local…
bit.ly
September 9, 2025 at 11:40 AM
maddiejennings.bsky.social
Is this summer an inflection point for our most deprived neighbourhoods?
www.linkedin.com/pulse/end-of...
End-of-term reflections: Is change finally coming to doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods?
Earlier this week, Local Trust's policy team met with one of the still-new MPs from the 2024 Labour cohort. It's fair to say the end-of-term mood in Portcullis House was palpable and not in a "here co...
www.linkedin.com
July 24, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by Madeleine Jennings
localtrust.org.uk
“No one is better placed to help a neighbourhood than the people who live there.”

As we mark 100 Big Local areas completing the programme, our CEO, Rachel Rowney, reflects on this key milestone and what comes next.

Read the article: bit.ly/44Bn8vb
A promotional image for an article titled "Marking a moment: 100 areas complete their Big Local journey" by Rachel Rowney, CEO, Local Trust. The left side of the image has text, starting with "100 neighbourhoods celebrating Big Local change" in yellow and white. Below that is the article title and author. The right side features a smiling woman with dark hair wearing a white collared shirt, looking directly at the viewer. The "Local Trust" logo is in the top right corner and the "National Lottery Community Fund" logo is in the bottom right corner.
July 9, 2025 at 10:20 AM