Local Area Coordination in England and Wales
March 2024
Updates on Local Area Coordination, the work of the Network and
the areas implementing the approach.
In this edition we’ll be covering:
- Hello and Welcome
- ‘Local Area Coordination Network Regional Gatherings: Reflecting on Progress and Charting the Path Ahead’
- Publications
- Events, Training & Campaigns
- Useful Blogs
- New Social Leaders
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A note from from Nick Sinclair,
Director of the Local Area Coordination Network
Welcome to the March edition of our Local Area Coordination Newsletter! We hope this finds you well.
First and foremost, as always, a huge thank you to Lily for her dedication and effort in putting this together. It’s truly appreciated. March certainly has been a whirlwind of activity, even by our usual standards, with many positives to share and celebrate. 
This month, South Tyneside successfully concluded their first Local Area Coordinator recruitment processes and will soon be welcoming two new Local Area Coordinators to the team to join their first, Marny, who started a few weeks ago. Similarly, Oxfordshire will be welcoming their first LACs soon too following successful community-led recruitment processes in two communities there. It has been a privilege to be alongside them in this, and exciting to see the commitment and energy from both areas in getting it right, ensuring meaningful involvement and insights of local people in the process.
Since we last wrote we had our Regional Gatherings, where Local Area Coordinators had the opportunity to come together, exchange ideas, challenge each other, and learn. They were a great success – more in the main article from Tom on this. Generally, it’s been incredibly rewarding this month to meet and see the development of so many new Local Area Coordinators. We have been supporting their inductions, and ensuring they are well-equipped for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Other highlights for March include our involvement and support of Surrey’s formative LAC evaluation work, whilst also assisting with the final stages of the NIHR-funded evaluation which we hope to do a special on next month if the timing works.
Of course, it isn’t all smooth sailing at the moment. We’re acutely aware of the financial pressures facing local government right now, and some of our members are really feeling the strain. We are of course doing everything we can collectively to support each other, and it has been heartening to see the local efforts made to ensure that Local Area Coordination remains a protected and cherished offer where it is. I think this is a testament to the effectiveness and power of the approach which fosters a sense of collective ownership and passion from local citizens right from the start.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We hope you enjoy. Until next time, take care, and thanks as always for your support.
Nick Sinclair