Outcome 1: Communities will be better able to identify local needs and take action in response to them. 

Through a range of engagement activities and funding support, local residents and groups have become more equipped to assess community needs and respond effectively:

• Community events (such as: Big Ideas Moor Local, One Community celebration events and Crow Nest Family Sports Day) were organised to bring residents together, spark ideas, and inspire local action. These inclusive gatherings encouraged individuals and groups to step forward with initiatives that reflect real local priorities. 
• The Dewsbury West Youth Survey, which captured the voices of 180 young people who shared their views on what improvements they wanted to see in their area. This insight was shared with local organisations helping them to shape projects and directly informed where this place-based funding should be spent. 
• Young people have been involved in development and decisions affecting the local youth provision and some have formed the Youth Committee established at Sand Park Youth Club. 
• Others have contributing ideas to other strategic pieces of work affecting them, nationally, regionally and locally (e.g. Dewsbury Neighbourhood Plan) 
• The formation of the Dewsbury West Youth Partnership has improved collaboration and coordination across the community, ensuring that information is shared and services are better aligned with the evolving needs of young people. 
• Dewsbury West Youth Partnership has taken ownership in coordinating and developing a core youth development offer and an ‘Autumn Programme of Youth Development Opportunities’ has been produced and is to be shared with local schools, families and young people. 
• By investing over £205,000 into 30 local organisations, Big Local empowered the community to act on diverse priorities — from improving public spaces to tackling the cost of living crisis. 

Outcome 2: People will have increased skills and confidence, so that they continue to identify and respond to needs in the future.  

Big Local has made significant strides in building local skills, confidence, and long-term capacity: 

• Strategic fundraising training was delivered to local groups by Lisa Jagger at Straight Forward Funding, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to secure additional funding. This has supported both immediate successes and laid the groundwork for long-term sustainability. 

• Local organisations developed their relationship with One Community Foundation and support services like TSL and Community Plus and feel better connected to services that can support them.  

• Opportunities for volunteering, leadership, and peer learning have helped community members develop personal confidence and professional competencies that will benefit Dewsbury Moor in the long run. 

• Young leaders developed leadership skills through ASDAN-accredited awards and recognition via the Young Leaders Network Award. 

• More young people aged 16+ are volunteering, with two new volunteers actively supporting local youth activities. 

• Adult volunteers progressed in youth work qualifications, with two completing Level 2 and beginning Level 3. 

• Local youth organisations enhanced their capacity, with five staff/volunteers completing foundational youth work training, leading to improved skills and knowledge across the sector. 

Outcome 3: The community will make a difference to the needs it prioritises. 

The programme has supported visible and tangible improvements in line with locally defined needs: 

• Investments in green spaces in Dewsbury Moor have directly addressed community calls for more outdoor and reflective spaces. These include: a spiritual garden and pond-dipping facilities in the local country park; the creation and upkeep of Moorcroft Community Garden, where residents can come together and grow their own food and the development of a café at Dewsbury Moor Sports Club, offering refreshments for those using the nearby greenway. 

• Enhancements to community hubs such as Westmoor Community Sports Hall and the development of Dewsbury Moor & Scouthill Children’s Centre have enabled more regular, inclusive activity and helped create vital gathering spaces for residents. 

• Youth development has been a key priority in Dewsbury Moor, with increased activities now available that cater to diverse interests such as sport, music, and motorbiking. Investments in youth clubs have created safe spaces where young people can connect with trusted adults. Additionally, training for youth providers has been delivered to ensure high-quality provision, equipping organisations to better meet the needs of the young people they support. 

• Local organisations have delivered initiatives that directly address critical local issues like food security and the availability of self-care/ baby products ensuring families understand that support is available locally.