We support the We’re Right Here campaign because it speaks to everything we believe in at The Wharton Trust. This national movement, led by people in communities like ours, is calling for a shift in power so that local people have greater control over what happens in their neighbourhoods. At the heart of the campaign is a push to influence the English Devolution Bill, making sure that communities themselves, not just councils or regional bodies are given a formal role in shaping decisions about places, services, and investment. The campaign is calling for new rights over community assets, greater influence in how public services are designed, and meaningful ways to hold decision-makers to account.
For us here in Dyke House, this campaign couldn’t be more relevant. We know that local people are the experts in their own lives. They know what works, what doesn’t and what needs to change. That’s why we’ve always believed in putting power in the hands of the community—whether it’s running activities at The Annexe, responding to challenges like poverty and isolation, or building stronger local networks. The We’re Right Here campaign offers a real opportunity to make that way of working the norm, not the exception. It’s about ensuring people aren’t just heard, they’re in control.
By backing this campaign and influencing the English Devolution Bill, we’re also thinking about the future. True devolution should mean more than shifting power from Whitehall to town halls—it should mean power reaches the people who live in our streets and use our services every day. If the Bill gives communities formal rights and a stronger voice in how investment is spent and services are shaped, it could transform places like Dyke House. It would give us the tools to protect local spaces, design better support, and take long-term control of our future. That’s why we’re proud to stand alongside others who are saying: we’re right here—and it’s time for real community power.
