Research and engagement @wearenewlocal.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.social/post/3lv6yksd4gc2mNew paper from @ippr.org explores what the loss of pubs, parks, youth clubs and other third spaces means for social connection and solidarity, and how it can give rise to the radical right. Read in full here: https://www.ippr.org/articles/places-to-come-together30 Jul 2025 16:00 +0000at://did:plc:o5eduy2irhei47ucuvairs2b/app.bsky.feed.post/3lv6yksd4gc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.social/post/3lsgaahmlxc25Eastside Community Trust responds to Where People Meet - our latest report on the future of community centres. They make the case brilliantly for investing in these vital spaces that "anchor communities, foster connection and improve wellbeing". https://eastsidecommunitytrust.org.uk/local-issues/reimagining-community-centres/25 Jun 2025 08:51 +0000at://did:plc:o5eduy2irhei47ucuvairs2b/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsgaahmlxc25https://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.social/post/3lsg7wwrxjc25What does it mean to sustain change? I had a great time at the Place-based Systems Change Community of Practice meeting hosted by Renaisi. We talked about the risks of not sustaining change for places & communities – from broken trust and relationship breakdown to reverting to the status quo.25 Jun 2025 08:46 +0000at://did:plc:o5eduy2irhei47ucuvairs2b/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsg7wwrxjc25https://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.social/post/3lqrudtk6ms26Yesterday was my third time at #StrongerThings, but my first time on stage. It was great to be involved in a workshop on the future of community centres, talking through the findings of our latest research (more here 🔗 https://www.newlocal.org.uk/publications/where-people-meet/).04 Jun 2025 13:00 +0000at://did:plc:o5eduy2irhei47ucuvairs2b/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqrudtk6ms26https://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.social/post/3lptmbridos2aNew report reveals stark regional inequalities in high street decline - calls on govt to work with communities to restore local amenities & rebuild pride. Particularly welcome proposals to incentivise third spaces where people can gather as part of transition to more resilient forms of high street. [contains quote post or other embedded content]23 May 2025 12:15 +0000at://did:plc:o5eduy2irhei47ucuvairs2b/app.bsky.feed.post/3lptmbridos2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.social/post/3lpp2ljc5zk2hReally important piece mapping health outcomes against voting patterns. In some regions, people can only expect to live in good health until their early fifties. It is in these same places where people have the lowest trust in government. https://www.ft.com/content/45940b3a-1f69-4784-a55e-9124276e0d9321 May 2025 16:48 +0000at://did:plc:o5eduy2irhei47ucuvairs2b/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpp2ljc5zk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.social/post/3lp33xatp3s2fDelighted by @mattleach.bsky.social’s response to Where People Meet - our new report on the future of community centres. "The report offers a vision for the future that’s refreshingly grounded. Not utopian. Not flashy. But deeply real." https://www.raynefoundation.org.uk/where-people-meet-neighbourhoods-need-places-to-belong/13 May 2025 18:19 +0000at://did:plc:o5eduy2irhei47ucuvairs2b/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp33xatp3s2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.social/post/3lokyltksjk2cIt’s a very big day for me – @wearenewlocal.bsky.social launches Where People Meet: Where People Meet: How We Celebrate, Sustain and Reimagine Community Centres. https://www.newlocal.org.uk/publications/where-people-meet/07 May 2025 08:37 +0000at://did:plc:o5eduy2irhei47ucuvairs2b/app.bsky.feed.post/3lokyltksjk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/summersimpson.bsky.social/post/3l6zimzg7dm2dHow can community power unlock our fraught planning system? Really pleased to have worked on this new research from @wearenewlocal.bsky.social arguing that the government's bold housebuilding targets are at risk unless the planning system gives communities more power to shape local development. [contains quote post or other embedded content]21 Oct 2024 12:18 +0000at://did:plc:o5eduy2irhei47ucuvairs2b/app.bsky.feed.post/3l6zimzg7dm2d