A new review of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) in Leeds offers one of the clearest pictures yet of what happens when communities are trusted, resourced, and supported to lead change themselves.
Covering six years of work across neighbourhoods in Leeds, the review shows that small, consistent investment in people, relationships and local leadership has created lasting impact far beyond the original funding.
From small actions to system impact
What stands out is not just the activity, but the depth of change.
The review highlights how community-led approaches have:
- built stronger, more connected neighbourhoods
- supported people to take ownership of local change
- created self-sustaining groups and ongoing community activity
- strengthened relationships between communities, organisations, and public services
This is not short-term project work. It is long-term culture change, rooted in trust, relationships and local strengths.
Clear evidence that this approach works
The findings reinforce what many across the sector already see day to day.
- Community Builders play a critical role in connecting people and unlocking local action
- Small Sparks funding enables ideas to become a reality quickly and locally
- Investment in communities creates ripple effects across wider systems
The updated Social Return on Investment analysis shows up to £36.90 of social value for every £1 invested, demonstrating the wider value of this approach for prevention, wellbeing and resilience.
Shaping how the system works
Importantly, the review also shows how this way of working is influencing the wider system.
Asset-based approaches are increasingly being recognised as essential to:
- prevention and early intervention
- neighbourhood and place-based working
- building more responsive and inclusive services
This aligns closely with the direction of travel across health and care, where there is a growing focus on community power and local solutions.
Forum Central’s role
Forum Central continues to support and amplify this work across the VCSE sector in Leeds.
Through our role connecting organisations, influencing system partners, and sharing evidence like this, we help ensure that the voice and impact of the third sector is recognised and embedded in how the system develops.
This includes highlighting what works in practice, supporting collaboration across partners, and strengthening the case for continued investment in community-led approaches.
Watch the webinar
The findings were shared at the ABCD Year Six Review webinar.
