However, despite these challenges we saw how a divided nation could unite. For all a pandemic sought to keep us physically distant we saw how, in the face of a crisis, people came together. They united.

Across our network we saw how community organisers adapted, innovated and mobilised to ensure those most at risk from the pandemic were protected.  Building on the relationships that they have developed over time they became the frontline responders. They were the glue at a local level that held people together and were able to organise around existing activity to build the bridges between groups and networks.

Here is just a snapshot of some of the amazing stories:

• In Tottenham, community organisers at Selby Trust mobilised to form a food bank supporting 1000s of people
• In Stockport, community organiser Nicola Dean at Starting Point Community Learning Partnership was recognised nationally for her efforts in tackling the digital divide.
• In Hartlepool, Social Action Hub, The Annexe, supported the development of a new initiative called Minds for Men to tackling the mental health issues facing men in Hartlepool, and,
• In Staffordshire, Eileen Jordan and the team were recognised by Baroness Barran for their efforts in developing County Stories Social Supermarket ensuring surplus food went to 1000s of families across the County who needed it most.

However, as we enter into 2021 we need to learn the lessons from what the pandemic has shown us. We need to find a way to unleash the potential of people and activity that emerged throughout 2020 and to show that we have more in common than what sets us apart.

The storming of the Capitol building shows what happens when we have a divided nation and identity based politics. We need to guard against this as we set out a new pathway in our recovery from the pandemic. In 2020 we set out a vision for our communities which would enable us to foster a greater sense of belonging and connection between people and to ensure that people could act together in their common interest.

But as we start 2021, we need to reconsider our vision in light of the lessons we have learnt from pandemic. The pandemic has shown us the power of people and place.

As we look to 2021, we need to reassert our vision for a bold and ambitious communities’ strategy from Government but this time with the addition of PLACE. We need to see policy makers and politicians set out how we can foster belonging and connection and ensure that we can build on the core principles that drove the localised response to the pandemic of people, power and place.