Locality – the network of community organisations

Locality is the national membership network of local community organisations. Our 1,700 members work in the most disadvantaged areas, supporting over 300,000 people every week. So when energy bills started rising, they sprang into action. Three quarters provide food, and many provide warm spaces, fuel vouchers, debt advice and mental health support. But despite more and more people needing their help, organisations struggled to pay rising costs themselves – a third said that without support they’d have to close or reduce services.

The Locality network helped with advice, peer-learning, and emergency support. We raised the alarm in the media, and we were chosen as one of the Guardian and Observer’s charity appeal partners, with readers’ generous donations helping community organisations continue their vital work. Alongside others, our network pushed the Government to provide more support, resulting in £100m of funding announced for community organisations and charities on the frontline of the cost-of-living crisis. The funding was announced by the minister at Locality member The Peel Institute, alongside Locality’s Chief Executive. While we work with the Government to get the money to organisations quickly, our members continue to use their resilience and expertise to help communities across the country thrive.