Power to Change

This information could be of value to churches and other Christian organisations.

Suffolk County Council and Babergh District Council are working with Power to Change, (see http://www.powertochange.org.uk/funding/), an independent charitable trust set up to grow community businesses in England. PtC is looking to make a significant investment in Suffolk over the next five years, and has selected rural Suffolk as one of 15 places to participate in the new national £40m Power to Change Programme– see http://www.powertochange.org.uk/news/funds-launched-tackle-inequality/ .

Community businesses are businesses that are accountable to their community and use their profits to generate positive local impact. They can be many types of business: shops, pubs, farms, bus services, business spaces etc. Their income comes from things like renting out space in their buildings, trading as cafes, selling produce they grow or generating energy.

Power to Change has engaged Collaborate to undertake a feasibility study as to where in Suffolk this investment could be put and prepare a business case for one or more potential Power to Change investments in 2018. There has been considerable scoping activity undertaken and Sudbury has been chosen as one of only three places across Suffolk to take part in the initial phase of this programme.

We now need to work with the identified places to support the community to develop community business models that are both financially viable and meet real need.

• There was a small initial workshop to learn more about the offer from Power to Change and share views on how and where community business could potentially meet local need, in August.
• There will be a wider community event in September to support local people and organisations to develop the best ideas, and broker local collaboration. This information event is on Tuesday 26^th September between 4 and 6pm at the Assembly Room ,Town Hall, Sudbury.