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Summer Simpson

@summersimpson.bsky.social
232 followers 572 following 31 posts

Research and engagement @wearenewlocal.bsky.social

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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
This is something that I looked at in my own research on the role of community centres in local life – as spaces that bring communities together and enable them to connect across lines of difference – so I am really interested to see how the conversation develops.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Along similar lines, this blog from the @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk looks at the role social and cultural infrastructure could play in combatting populism and reversing the erosion of social cohesion. www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/social-...
bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk
From pubs to populism: what the decline of community space means for democracy - Bennett Institute for Public Policy
As support for populist parties continues to surge worldwide, a growing number of policymakers, academics, and civil society organisations are pointing to the importance of social and cultural infrast...
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
New 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: www.ippr.org/articles/pla...
ippr.org
Places to come together: Rebuilding local solidarities against the far right | IPPR
In late July 2024, the seaside town of Southport in Merseyside burst into the national consciousness when it suffered two different, violent events in succ
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Joe Sarling @joesarling.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
"The 10 Year Health Plan will set out how the government plans to rebuild the NHS and tackle widening inequalities in people’s health through fundamental reforms to our health system" www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Landmark plan to rebuild NHS in working class communities
The 10 Year Health Plan will set out how the government plans to tackle inequalities in people’s health through fundamental reforms to our health system
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Eastside 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". eastsidecommunitytrust.org.uk/local-issues...
eastsidecommunitytrust.org.uk
Community Centres are Not a Luxury - EASTSIDE COMMUNITY TRUST
We urge policymakers, funders and partners to recognise and champion community centres.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
What 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.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Grateful to my wonderful @wearenewlocal.bsky.social team and to the speakers and partners who made the event possible – looking forward to continuing the conversation.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
@evefrancisholt.bsky.social & Tabz O’Brien shared insights from GM's place-based approach to prevention. A core part of the Live Well movement is a network of welcoming centres offering integrated financial, employment, well-being, health & social support – and a chance to build social connection.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
In a panel on building community cohesion, it was great to hear that unlocking physical spaces is a core part of both Calderdale & Lichfield’s approach. 💬 “The power we have as local authorities is to facilitate that kind of magic to happen, this is where our power as place shapers can bear out.”
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
In 3ni’s session on building social capital, we heard about the Portland Inn Project – a community-embedded arts organisation in Stoke-on-Trent working alongside local people to develop pioneering community spaces – from a disused pub to a repurposed shipping container.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
The need for spaces where communities can gather – which build the bonds that connect us to place and to the people around us – emerged as a strong theme throughout the day.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Yesterday 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 🔗 www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...).
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Thanks so much! It was a brilliant project to work on - they are such special places ☺️
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Thanks very much for sharing!
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Stephen Frost @sfrost.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
ICYMI this is an excellent report👇 There's few more important building in neighbourhoods than the community centre. "Community centres have long stood as pillars of local life, as places where people can meet, mix and connect; where care, fun and friendships bloom and problems are shared."
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New Local @wearenewlocal.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
“There is one policy option open to the Government which would lay the groundwork for a deep shift in how public investment secures better outcomes”. @jydenham.bsky.social‬ & @jesstud.bsky.social‬ set out 5 reasons the Government should launch Total Place 2.0.
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Five reasons the Government should launch Total Place 2.0 - New Local
John Denham and Jessica Studdert make the case for Total Place 2.0 - to shift public investment for better outcomes.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Our recent recent research shows just how important third spaces are. Areas where there are no places to meet face poorer social and economic outcomes, including higher rates of ill health and child poverty. You can read more about our findings here: www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...
newlocal.org.uk
Where People Meet: How We Celebrate, Sustain and Reimagine Community Centres - New Local
This report sets out the vital role that community centres play in local areas and makes the case for investing in their future.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
New 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.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
We make a similar point in Where People Meet – that a vibrant & cared for community centre can make a place feel invested in, where people feel like their voice matters & have the opportunity to participate in conversations around issues that impact their lives. www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...
newlocal.org.uk
Where People Meet: How We Celebrate, Sustain and Reimagine Community Centres - New Local
This report sets out the vital role that community centres play in local areas and makes the case for investing in their future.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Jennifer notes that “Even modest action — a reopened community centre or repaired playground, a place to meet — can spark belief that the future might be better than the past.”
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
To counter the political damage from ill health, ‪@jenniferthf.bsky.social‬ argues that “Putting local people in charge, giving them the resources and authority to make visible changes — things that restore pride and confidence — will make a difference.”
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Really 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. www.ft.com/content/4594...
ft.com
How health inequality in the UK maps on to political upheaval
Tackling deprivation and illness in neglected places could be the prescription for beating Nigel Farage
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New Local @wearenewlocal.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
"Spaces like community centres are not a ‘luxury’, but a must have if we want to see communities across the country thrive". Samuel Kirkby runs the Sutton Centre - a vibrant community centre in Bradford. He reflects on the importance of physical assets for communities.
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Where People Meet: Creating community ownership - Rayne Foundation
What the Foundation has learned about the challenges and opportunities facing adult social care, and our future plans for proactive funding into the sector.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Delighted 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." www.raynefoundation.org.uk/where-people...
raynefoundation.org.uk
Where People Meet: Neighbourhoods need places to belong - Rayne Foundation
What the Foundation has learned about the challenges and opportunities facing adult social care, and our future plans for proactive funding into the sector.
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James Plunkett @jamestplunkett.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Some thoughts sparked by a great event in Leeds yesterday on neighbourhood health and the UK government's Test, Learn and Grow intiative. How do we make neighbourhoods engines of change? medium.com/@jamestplunk...
medium.com
Neighbourhoods as engines of change
On the need for bridges from the edges to the centre
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Josh Westerling @joshwesterling.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Jason Stockwood has written a thoughtful piece in the NS reflecting on losing the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral race. This bit in particular I agree with.
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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
🧵 Our democracy is in poor health. Trust in political parties and government has hit a new low. But we think there's a different way forward 👇
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Grace Pollard @gracepollard.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
"community centres need to be recognised as a core part of the essential infrastructure of a place" - @summersimpson.bsky.social shares insights from @wearenewlocal.bsky.social report. With recommendations for local gov, policymakers & funders. www.newlocal.org.uk/articles/the...
newlocal.org.uk
“This is the place”: The case for investing in community centres - New Local
Community centres have long stood as pillars of local life, but we are losing these spaces at pace and at scale.
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New Local @wearenewlocal.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
"When a community centre is thriving, it is both a place where people can meet their basic needs and somewhere that adds colour to people’s lives". @summersimpson.bsky.social introduces our new report and its key ideas.
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“This is the place”: The case for investing in community centres - New Local
Community centres have long stood as pillars of local life, but we are losing these spaces at pace and at scale.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Thanks for sharing Nick, and thanks for all of your insights!
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
A big thank you to the brilliant people who offered their time and expertise throughout the research process 🌟 @nickplumb.bsky.social @memckeague.bsky.social @ojgarling.bsky.social @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk @nhsconfed.org @bctwales.bsky.social @imadgination03.bsky.social & many others.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Read the full report here: www.newlocal.org.uk/publications... Listen to our podcast here: www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...
newlocal.org.uk
Where People Meet: How We Celebrate, Sustain and Reimagine Community Centres - New Local
This report sets out the vital role that community centres play in local areas and makes the case for investing in their future.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
To turn this vision into reality, we offer clear steps for national and local government, funders, housing associations and health partners. The goal is to make sure these vital spaces not only survive – but flourish.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
At the core of our research is a vision for the future – what community centres could become if we remove the barriers in their way. The vision reinforces community centres as places of human connection, offering something inherently preventative - an essential part of local infrastructure.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
From social connection to community cohesion, community centres are tackling some of the most pressing issues affecting the health and happiness of our communities.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
But this is only part of the picture. Against the odds, community centres remain woven into the fabric of place, improving people's quality of life in critical ways.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
We spent time in community centres across the country and spoke to more than 100 people connected to these vital spaces. What emerged is a story of fragmentation and precariousness. Centres are navigating fragile funding, rising demand - and a system that doesn’t always recognise their value.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Produced in partnership with @raynefoundation.bsky.social, this report uncovers the distinct and valuable position that community centres occupy in local areas, both physically and operationally, but also in the hearts and minds of communities.
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
It’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. www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
The aid cut is so depressing. I know it's politically popular but it's going to cause an enormous amount of harm. It's deeply frustrating that we've never found a way of explaining why it matters to UK voters even though it really does.
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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
We're not even bowling alone any more... www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
With the Devolution White Paper expected imminently and Starmer's 'plan for the change' this week, now is the time for government to show it's serious about empowering communities.
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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 26/11/2024
REPORT 📑 | We know that a torn social fabric lay behind the disorder this summer. Our new paper explores community cohesion, empowerment and growth in response to the riots across the UK. Quick read here or see thread 👇 www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and... [1/7]
people throwing a ball to each other
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Owen Garling @ojgarling.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
In the run-up to the election, Labour talked of producing a national cultural infrastructure map. In this blog for Culture Commons, we set out some thoughts on the practicalities of mapping out cultural infrastructure. www.culturecommons.uk/post/cultura...
culturecommons.uk
Cultural infrastructure and why it matters
Owen Garling and Professor Michael Kenny from the Bennett Institute share insights from their ongoing work on 'cultural infrastructure'.
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Jessica Studdert @jesstud.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
The starter pack you have been waiting for: the local government policy and practice crew 🥳 This list of folk engaged in local innovation, ideas & commentary includes people in non-political roles both in and broadly “adjacent” to the sector… go.bsky.app/VBM66q7
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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
I've created a "Communitarians" starter pack. Might be of interest to followers of: @renewaljournal.bsky.social @morganj0nes.bsky.social @hopenothate.bsky.social @anthonypainter.bsky.social @mds49.bsky.social @sundersays.bsky.social @jesstud.bsky.social go.bsky.app/H5rQDgh
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Summer Simpson @summersimpson.bsky.social · 21/10/2024
How 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.
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Luca Tiratelli @lucatiratelli.bsky.social · 12/09/2024
I fear this part of the Darzi report already risks getting lost - but it is absolutely key. If we want to avoid another lost decade for the NHS, we have to invest in the wider public sector and all the other things that make up the wider determinants of health.
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New Local @wearenewlocal.bsky.social · 12/09/2024
"Too many people end up in hospital because too little is spent in the community." Lord Darzi puts our catastrophic health trade-off in blunt terms in his NHS review. But what would a community-powered NHS look like? And where is it happening? Take a look: www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...
newlocal.org.uk
A Community-Powered NHS - New Local
As the NHS faces ever-rising demand, we need to shift for to a healthcare model that focuses on prevention in the community.
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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 20/08/2024
We sketched out some early thoughts on this with Demos, Jo Cox Foundation, Oxfam, We're Right Here, Citizens UK, Locality, Our Future, Jon Alexander, @neweconomics.bsky.social @chinemcdonald.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/society/arti...
theguardian.com
We need a national effort to rebuild communities after riots | Letter
Letter: Polly Curtis from Demos, Su Moore from the Jo Cox Foundation, Halima Begum from Oxfam GB and seven others call for a government inquiry on bringing people together in the wake of the far-right...
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