A decade of positive change, led by residents

Ten years ago, the Podsmead community seized an amazing opportunity and were awarded £1.2 million from the National Lottery through the Big Local programme. Through the creation of the Podsmead Big Local, the mission was to work together with residents and partners to make Podsmead an even better place to live.

Over ten years, 40 different projects took place, all benefiting people in Podsmead. As the funding comes to an end in 2025, Podsmead Big Local are shining a light on ten special projects and calling it ‘Ten in Ten’ – ten years, ten remarkable achievements. 

“Everyone involved over the years should be immensely proud of their contribution by making Podsmead a better place to live with a resilient community spirit and a great sense of pride.” 

Ashley Green, Chair of Podsmead Big Local 2022-2025

What we achieved together

Between 2012 and 2025, Podsmead Big Local delivered more than 40 community projects. Here are some of our proudest achievements:

Transforming our community spaces 

• Tuffley Park Play Area: A new adventure play park created in response to resident ideas.
• Milton Avenue Green Space: Transformed into a thriving haven for wildlife with accessible pathways, upgraded play park and a green gym.
• Winget Bowls Club: Refurbished to provide accessible community facilities that generate income.
• Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub: Our modest initial investment of £7,000 catalysed £4 million of additional funding for this major community asset.
• Podsmead Hub and Melting Pot cafe: The Hub on Scott Avenue was the heart of Podsmead Big Local and a place for people to come together. Now it’s a much-needed community pharmacy.

Connecting people

• Play Gloucestershire: Free outdoor play sessions year round, benefiting hundreds of local children.
• Ramblers Youth Club: Providing a safe space and activities for young people, as well as a youth worker.
• Poets Pantry Food Club: Supporting families through the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
• Community events: From open-air cinemas to wildlife festivals, Christmas events, summer trips and community lunches, we brought the community together.
• GAWP Art Weekender: A series of ten painted text murals stretching from Podsmead to King’s Square, each accompanied by an audio story from Podsmead residents. 

Read more about these projects which we’re calling our ‘Ten in Ten’ in our special edition newsletter!

The Podsmead Big Local Journey

Starting in 2012, the Podsmead Big Local has been on quite a journey, with residents and partner organisations all getting involved to make projects happen that matter to them.

Our journey wasn’t always straightforward. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, we redirected resources to support our community through the crisis, distributing emergency food parcels, supporting vulnerable residents, and finding new ways to connect people. Throughout it all, residents remained at the heart of everything we did.

If you’d like to know more about the individual projects, what worked, what didn’t, see photos and read about how it all made a difference, you can take a look at our legacy document – The Podsmead Big Local Journey 2012-2025.

Our legacy

Podsmead Big Local came to a close in August 2025, but the positive changes continue. 

Blackbridge CCBS is committed to building on its legacy, maintaining a resident-led approach and continuing to make Podsmead an even better place to live.

The Podsmead Partnership Plan 2022-2031 brings together local agencies to continue working toward a shared vision, started by Podsmead Big Local. Most importantly, the confidence, skills, and partnerships developed over the past decade have helped to create a more resilient and connected community.