New ‘Best Practice’ programme launched to support new and emerging community initiatives
Working in partnership with Redcatch Community Garden to strengthen community connection across the West of England
The Impact Alliance has announced the launch of a new Best Practice Programme designed to support new and emerging community initiatives across the West of England. The programme will champion and scale the approaches that build stronger, more connected communities and reduce the risk of loneliness, which has been shown to underpin better health and longer life (1).
At a time when communities can feel divided, the need for shared spaces, neighbourly networks, and inclusive community-led action has never been greater. This Best Practice programme is about creating places where everyone feels seen, heard and valued, and where meaning, joy, and purpose are within everyone’s reach.
Nature-based activities for all ages underpin the ethos of Redcatch Community Garden
A partnership rooted in real-world excellence
To lead and deliver the programme, the Impact Alliance (IA) is partnering with Redcatch Community Garden, an IA member and a recognised exemplar of Best Practice, as defined by the collective knowledge and consensus of IA members.
Redcatch Community Garden clearly demonstrates what thriving community action can look like. By bringing people together, creating shared spaces, reducing isolation - all built on strong local leadership – their work exemplifies how grassroots initiatives can grow into powerful hubs of connection and resilience.
Building connected and cohesive communities
Central to the programme is the provision of practical learning opportunities and support to emerging groups seeking to make a difference in their neighbourhoods.
By sharing what works and ensuring access to practical guidance, the programme will help new initiatives build strong foundations and adopt proven approaches from day one.
This includes:
Support and mentoring for new and emerging community groups
Learning opportunities, including site visits, workshops, and peer exchanges
Resources and tools shaped by collective experience and expertise
A collective step forward
The IA believes that strong communities are built through collaboration, shared learning, and celebrating what works.
Underwritten by support from principal funder St Monica Trust, whose belief that stronger communities create better outcomes for everyone, the IA and the Best Practice programme also benefit from pooled funding from organisations across multiple sectors, ensuring collaborative investment in the region’s community infrastructure and strengthening the sustainability of its programmes.
By partnering with Redcatch Community Garden, the Best Practice programme brings these values to life, and helps new initiatives learn from an organisation that has turned a simple idea into a thriving community asset and embodying the IA mission statement, “Together, we can do more”.
[1] World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection
If you’re working to reduce loneliness or have bold ideas to strengthen connection in your community, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at info@impact-alliance.org.uk.