The Communities in Control study is a national evaluation of the place based initiative – Big Local – being rolled out in 150 areas in England with over £200 million funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

In each Big Local area, residents have control over when and how funding is used to make local neighbourhoods better places to live. This programme of research looked at the ways that this action by communities is achieving change in the social determinants of health in these areas.  This includes community action to strengthen social relationships and improve the local environment, as well as efforts to improve area reputation. The extent that being involved in the initiative may have impacts upon residents’ sense of control and their health and wellbeing was also a focus of the research.

Health inequalities (CiC) was an SPHR research programme during the first quinquennium of the School (2012-2017). Although this is no longer a focus for SPHR, our research is still having an impact in this area.