The Public Trust has been in active development since the start of 2026. This page sets out what we have built so far, what we are working on now and where we are heading.
Where we started
The idea came from 16 years of running community buildings. Since 2010 the founders of 3Space have delivered 46 spaces across the UK, and over that time securing new space for community uses has become steadily harder. Against a backdrop of constrained council finances, public buildings were being sold off or put to more commercial uses and there was no national scale response to deliver the next generation of community buildings.
The Public Trust is our response to that challenge, at a time when the need for these spaces has never been greater. At the start of this year we set out to test whether it could work as a national institution and provide a route for communities to have an ownership stake in these spaces.
We began by making the case in our white paper and building this website to host it. We then formed an advisory panel, bringing together people from local government, the built environment, heritage, health, research and design to shape the model.
Testing the idea
Over the past months we have taken the proposition out to policymakers, heritage bodies, funders, government, think tanks and community ownership practitioners. Those conversations have sharpened the model and refined the work we need to do.
They have also confirmed that this is a moment of real momentum for community ownership. Community Right to Buy provisions in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act give communities new leverage over the buildings they value, and a growing number of organisations are developing models to meet that opportunity. The Public Trust is designed to sit alongside them, providing the permanent national stewardship that makes local ownership durable and sustainable.
Working with the Royal Society of Arts
During this formative stage, the RSA has been part of the Public Trust's development. Harry, Henry and Andrew are all RSA Fellows and they were among the first to reach out to us as the idea took shape.
Over the past few months, this has included expert convenings at RSA House, bringing together Fellows and specialists to test the model, as well as making introductions across the RSA's networks. The Royal Society of Arts has also spent time with 3Space's work in practice, including a visit to International House in Brixton, one of the buildings that inspired the idea.
The RSA continues to champion the Public Trust, connecting it with Fellows and partners who can help it grow.
Getting the foundations right
The credibility of the Public Trust will depend on getting the organisational structure and community participation model right from the start. We are currently working through the technical questions that will need to be resolved ahead of taking on any assets. This will cover the overall charitable structure, how communities participate and earn a stake, charity law, tax, accounting and the property acquisition framework. This work is being supported pro bono by a national law firm.
What comes next
Over the next twelve months we are focused on four things.
Partnerships. We will be seeking a mayoral combined authority to work with us on a regional feasibility study, alongside partners across policy and the heritage sector. Our working assumption is that the first cohort of Public Trust buildings will be piloted across a single region. We need to provide the evidence and business case using real asset examples, to demonstrate the economic, social and health benefits a cohort of Public Trust buildings could deliver.
Fundraising. We are building a strategy in two phases. The first is a foundational grant to complete the technical work, run the feasibility study and put the organisation on a proper footing, including brand, governance and first hires. The second is capital for acquisition and refurbishment, a skills programme and the core costs of the organisation.
Formation. The Public Trust is currently developed and managed as part of 3Space. In time it will be incorporated as an independent charity, with the associated vehicles needed to hold and steward buildings.
Launch. We are working towards a public launch in 2027.
Get involved
We have got this far because a lot of people gave their time freely. The Royal Society of Arts, advisory panel members, workshop participants and our network have all offered introductions, challenge and insight from their own hard-won experience. We are grateful for the generosity of everyone who has contributed.
We also know this will only work as a coalition. If you are a combined authority, a funder or a community organisation with a building at risk, or if you work in government or policy, we would like to hear from you.
