We’re Arches Local, a community-led organisation based in Chatham, Kent. We’re 1 of 150 ‘Big Local’ areas across England who were given long term lottery funding over ten to fifteen years to make a meaningful and lasting positive difference to their communities. It’s about bringing together all the local talent, ambitions, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make their area an even better place to live. The Big Local programme is administered by Local Trust, an organisation with over £200m from the Big Lottery Fund to support each area. 

Our partnership, a collection of local people and stakeholders, set the goals and direction for Arches Local via annual plans. In recent years, we’ve had an increased focus on the environment with our urban tree planting, the importance of place with our neighbourhood plan and development order, and holiday hunger with our ever-growing Fit & Fed programme. In addition to the big headlines, we run and organise a suite of weekly activities too e.g., community art, patchwork, ukulele, singing, SERVES tennis, digital hangouts, etc.