Who's talking about us?

Fair Share [Trust] has been used to "build the confidence and capacity really of some of the people least likely to get involved with public decisions in areas that always seem to be losing out...actually to feel really confident about expressing their views about spending real money in their areas on issues that matter to them."

Peter Wanless, BIG Chief Executive, on YouTube clip after BIG consultation event, 2009

"Fair Share [Trust] is a really good example of localism in action."

Peter Wanless, BIG Chief Executive in YouTube clip after BIG consultation event, 2009

In a speech at one of their recent public consultation events, Big Lottery Fund's Chief Executive, Peter Wanless, spoke really positively about the Fair Share Trust programme, managed by Community Foundation Network (CFN) and delivered locally by its members and other local partners (Local Agents). Extracts from his speech are given below and are an endorsement of the way CFN and Local Agents are working at a local level to deliver Fair Share Trust funding in a way that makes sense to and directly involves local people.

"Fair Share is a really good example of localism in action...The Fair Share Trust initiative funded by BIG empowers neighbourhood panels to take ownership of Lottery funding for their area. They set the priorities, using local knowledge and a real appreciation of the needs their communities face. 

I saw it for myself when I visited the St Andrews estate in Dudley recently. Here I met 10 local residents who had come together to determine, over a 10 year period, how almost one million pounds of Lottery funding will be spent by and for the local community.

And some of the key learning or us/them:

  • it takes time to build capacity and nurture community involvement - but it delivers true empowerment
  • the process - a local decision making panel i.e. the "how" is as important as where the money goes (the "what")
  • there is a real sense of local ownership
  • it is a very different but equally effective form of public involvement as e.g. the more well know partnership with ITV People's Millions
  • the range of things funded was incredible: play area; youth clubs; a community hub; IT access; training courses in first aid, social trips for elderly residents
  • it was a true partnership: involving local school, charities, Council, LSP (Local Strategic Partnership), neighbourhood police officers, local youth workers etc
  • it was delivering on their main priorities: more things for young people to do and activities and social interaction for older residents
  • all groups wanting funding in St Andrews had to apply using a simple form but more importantly, they had to present their idea to a panel of peers (neighbourhood panel) at a joint meeting where their request was robustly debated. Later they come back so the panel can assess impact and delivery (evaluation).

Someone involved in a Fair Share panel told our evaluators:

"I was dragged kicking and screaming into the Panel and for the first few meetings I never said anthing, but now I am able to contribute fairly. I began by thinking it would be a process where we sat and listened to the professions, but instead we have developed our own learning and can speak out with what we think is right.

This is a brilliant approach. It is based around local people, and local people understand local needs.""

Speech by Peter Wanless, Big Lottery Fund Chief Executive, 4th March 2009

"FST is about developing relationships rather than just buying projects."

Brent FST panel, 2009

FST is "challenging but enjoyable."

Rotherham FST Panel, 2009