Introduction
From 2017–2021 we led Plymouth’s Empowering Places programme, funded by Power to Change, to support community businesses in Devonport and Stonehouse — two areas facing high levels of disadvantage.
Our role
We focused on community organising, asset transfer, enterprise support, and investment, alongside facilitating learning and collaboration across the national Empowering Places network.
What we delivered
- Tailored support for 15 community businesses, 13 of which were newly incorporated
- £1.25m additional investment secured
- 25 jobs created and 15 assets transferred to community ownership
- Two national State of Us conferences on community power and economic democracy
Impact
The programme catalysed community business growth, influenced city-level policy, and strengthened Plymouth’s reputation as a leader in community-led economic change. A visual of the programme’s impact can be found here.
