Our approachCONSULT → CREATE → BELONG → SUPPORT
CONSULT
Our approach is to create processes that enable people to participate easily and effectively in the decisions that affect ‘their’ places. We create opportunities to listen to community members and their lived experiences. We work to give clear information, understand local needs and concerns, and where possible, make decisions in partnership with local people.
C clear information
O work to develop ownership
N map local needs
S look for skills & strengths to foster
U understand concerns
L gather lived experiences
T where possible, make decisions together
Community conversations at The Great Northern
The Great Northern Square is an iconic warehouse in the centre of Manchester – featuring a small public square at its front. Formal and informal consultations conducted by our team prior to the pandemic showed that local people wanted: a vibrant place to visit; the heritage of the site preserved; greener public realm; and community focussed facilities. This feedback led to the creation of annual Place Strategies, focussed on fostering a thriving community in and around the Great Northern. This has included offering free-to-access activities: forest school play sessions; a pop-up adventure playground; a pilot community gardening project; outdoor theatre; arts exhibitions and shows.
Republic Student survey with Tonic
In 2024, Trilogy Campus engaged Tonic, a social research consultancy to conduct an in-depth study exploring the student experience at Republic – a multi-university campus in London. We were seeking a data-driven understanding of student needs, challenges and overall satisfaction with life on campus. The study gathered the views of 700+ students capturing direct experiences of student life at Republic. Insights from the study have gone on to inform the creation of social spaces at Republic and an events programme with an emphasis on fostering friendships and developing students’ employability skills.
CREATE
We look for opportunities to co-create projects with stakeholders. We convene partnerships, explore possibilities, trust they know what’s needed to bring about change. We then work together to secure the resources and spaces to make the projects come alive.
C co-design
R resource
E explore
A activate
T trust
E evaluates
A stable base
In 2020, the Republic team worked create a ‘social impact’ lease to a local charity support Bangladeshi women - Oitij-Jo. This rent-free space gave the charity a stable base from which they could run projects, employ freelance staff, and fundraise. Over the last six years the charity has run: a monthly film club celebrating Bangla films; a gardening club with mindful gardening sessions; a summer playscheme; a Bengali language library; and creative training programme to enable women to take their home-based cooking and textile skills into a professional context.
Reimagining spaces
GRIT Studios CIC provide affordable workspace for artists. In 2024, The Great Northern partnered with GRIT to create a new studio space on Deansgate Terrace. Offered rent-free the space supports GRIT’s artist community and welcomes local groups and families for workshops and events. The partnership also ensures artists benefit from paid commissions across the site, from murals to creative interventions.
BELONG
We deliver placemaking that helps people feel included, connected, delighted and supported. Our approach to place management helps people feel like they belong – and have chances to connect with other people and develop skills and confidence.
B be part of it all
E events and activations
L love it here
O opportunities for growth
N never feel alone
G opportunities to give back
A dynamic events programme
Trilogy Campus’ flagship site is Republic. With eight universities and an internationally diverse student community, Republic’s shared campus model presents unique challenges and our events programme is central to helping everyone feel like they belong. We design initiatives that help students connect across cultural background; develop entrepreneurial and employability skills; and settle in to student life and make friends.
The events programme features everything from Welcome Events, cultural celebrations, career fairs, a ‘Job support club’ and creative craft sessions.
Reimagining spaces
In 2024, responding to occupier and visitor feedback, Trilogy Campus reimagined the visual branding of the ground floor at Republic. Recognising that these high-footfall areas needed to better reflect a welcoming, student-friendly environment, we partnered with design agency Ensemble to refresh Republic’s identity. The result is a bold, cohesive first impression of the campus. Through playful use of colour and pattern, we introduced a sense of energy and fun, reinforcing Republic’s identity as a student-focused hub. In addition, following consultation with local community members, we installed window vinyls celebrating local heroes — bringing cultural and historical relevance to the campus while fostering a deeper sense of connection.
SUPPORT
To catalyse real social value to local people, we give targeted support to community organisations around the places we manage. We offer spaces from which they can work; grants to kick start good ideas; expertise around gaps in provision; and help form practical partnerships to make change.
S space to make things happen in
U understand local needs
P projects to fill a gap in local provision
P partnerships to make change
O opportunities for upskilling & employment
R resources
T skilled worker time
Measuring our social impact work
In 2023 we teamed up with researchers at Forever Manchester to devise a bespoke framework to measure our social impact work. Based on nationally recognised indicators (TOMS and the HACT Social Value Bank) we devised 28 key metrics with which to robustly measure our work. Altogether we have levered c£20m of social impact value – supporting refugee groups, anti-poverty charities, LGTQ+ organisations, the development of local community organisations and creation of affordable workspaces for social enterprises and local artists.
A Community Hub
The free to use ‘Village Hall’ at the Great Northern is one of our most significant interventions. Here, led by Emma James, we turned an unused retail space into a shared community room. Renovated by local tradespeople and artists, the space now features a kitchenette, accessible toilet and flexible furniture. The Village Hall now hosts a hugely diverse range of activities, 30 hours a week. These include: men’s mental health talking circles, a chess club, thread journalling, and a poetry slam. It is the only free-to-use community venue in the city centre.
“The Village Hall really is becoming central to the community in the city centre. It’s a place of belonging, and a place where real connections are taking place.”
Lisa, Community Builder