We look at things differently.  If the world around you is changing then there is little point in approaching things in the same way as you always have.  Getting funding is becoming harder, there is a focus on local people doing things for themselves, communities are being asked to buy assets, getting help from local authorities is reducing.  The expertise to help local groups through this complexity is needed more than ever but the money to support it is becoming less.  We are here to help.

At it’s most simple level our support can be in the shape of our Administration and Coordination Service (click for more detail) - a cost effective way to help run your group.

However, our role can be wider than that. Our job is about fixing things … coming up with solutions together with you and then working with local people / organisations to make it happen.  Our approach is to talk to people as early as possible; from the time when the problem/issue becomes apparent and then, using our experience and expertise, combining it with your local knowledge in an equal partnership, to work out the best options and approach based on what you want.

Whatever service you require, we will not charge for these early conversations (that would only make the problem worse!) we would rather help you find the funds to work through the options, find the solutions and deliver them.  We are a Registered Social Enterprise and so our interests are based on the best outcomes for you.  We will be honest, up front with our views and we work very hard.  We want to stay with you to see a process though; not drop in now and again with a bit of training here and advice there (unless that’s what you want!) – your success is our success – we provide the expertise, but the project is yours.

The practitioners in Common Places have a vast range of experience in working with Voluntary and Community Groups.  All our services are bespoke services, designed to your own particular needs.  As well as our Administration and Coordination Service, we have vast experience in producing Business Plans , Options Appraisal, becoming so important as the Community Right to Buy is now strengthened as part of the Localism Act.  The Act is also promoting the need for Community-Led Plans (and their incarnations as Neighbourhood Plans or Town and Parish Plans), another of the core aspects of our business  (please click the bold words to see further details of what we can offer).

More generally our experience covers the areas of:

• Project Management (we have a team of experts in a range of disciplines)

• Project Appraisal

• Planning

• Evaluation (we have specific business and financial planning expertise)

Use the contact box on the left or use the telephone number above to have a chat about issues, problems or needs in your community.