In the week of our first birthday, here are some reflections on what we have achieved at Power to Change, the independent charitable trust set up to spearhead the growth of community business across England. We believe that in being initiated by local people, responding to local need and ploughing benefits back into places, community business can bring new prosperity, opportunity and pride to local people and communities. It is clearly a sector in rude health; our estimate is that community business grew 9% last year, despite the obvious pressures that the sector is under. ‘Our estimate is that community business grew 9% last year, despite the obvious pressures that the sector is under’. In our first year, we invested close to £8m in community businesses, supporting more than 40 organisations across England. We have been inspired by their potential to create lasting social change in their local areas – … (To read the full article, subscribe below)

Vidhya Alakeson is the chief executive of Power to Change
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