Inspiring new film celebrates the people behind Plymouth's growing community business sector

A film dedicated to the people of Plymouth and the city’s growing community business sector has been launched.

The uplifting footage, produced by independent trust Power to Change, highlights some of the people, places and ideas behind the city’s dynamic alternative economy.

The short film features a range of projects from across the city, including Street Factory, a dance school that supports young and disadvantaged people, local brewery Billy Ruffian’s and Nudge, a community benefit society whose mission is to convert derelict buildings in Union Street into multi-use community spaces.

The film also features Plymouth Energy Community, a solar energy farm tackling fuel poverty; Makers HQ, a community business bringing fashion manufacturing back to a closed-down factory; and Column Community Events, which is creating new outdoor community spaces in the Devonport district.

All of the projects are committed to bringing about lasting and positive change in the city and the film showcases their approaches and celebrates their success, touring the neighbourhoods where they’re making such a difference.

Launched by Power to Change, an independent trust that supports community businesses across England, including 6 community businesses in Plymouth, the campaign reveals how creative and determined grassroots action is helping people respond to rising levels of need and deprivation.

The movement taps into Plymouth’s long history of community activism and status as the UK’s first Social Enterprise City.

Power to Change’s campaign is supported by Plymouth’s Real Ideas Organisation, a social enterprise which is working with them to provide funding and support through the trust’s Empowering Places programme.

Talking about the campaign, Power to Change CEO Vidhya Alakeson said: “Plymouth is a standard bearer for community businesses and social enterprises, and at a time when many areas are grappling with the impact of cuts and a lack of adequate local services, these community businesses are more important than ever.

“We are delighted to shine a light on the amazing community businesses of Plymouth as part of our ‘Community is Our Business’ campaign, and hope that their stories will inspire other people across the country to support community businesses or even set up their own local project.”

The film can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/nVAo1SIA-1w