Bristol Magazine Online 8th 15th December 2022

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UPFEST FESTIVAL TO MOVE TO BIANNUAL MODEL

A fallow year for the festival as organisers focus on putting on the renowned street art festival for the city in 2024

Europe’s largest street art festival, Upfest, will move to a biannual model, taking a break in 2023, following the rise in infrastructure costs.

Organisers have made the tough decision to not hold the festival in 2023 as they focus attention into planning ahead for 2024 with another stellar line-up of artists.

Upfest is a highly anticipated event on Bristol’s cultural calendar which attracts over 50,000 visitors to the festival across the weekend. As one of the city's largest free-to-attend festivals, it is important to the Upfest team that it remains a free festival for everyone to attend. Previous editions have brought phenom enal, large-scale murals to Bedminster including Kobra’s iconic John Lennon mural & Insane51’s 3D piece featuring Greek Goddess NYX.

Due to the increasing costs related to putting on such a large-scale event, bringing world-class street artists from across the globe to the city of Bristol, festival organisers need to raise at least £180,000 to stage the free event in 2024.

The Upfest team will focus on other projects and interventions throughout 2023 including artist exhibitions at their North Street Gallery, as well as getting a head start on 2024 planning.

Steve Hayles, Upfest co-founder said: “We’re gutted to not be putting on the festival in 2023 but the risk to the organisation is just too great. We know our visitors love the festival and it has played a big part in making Bedminster a street art hub for the city and has become known internationally for it.

With rising infrastructure costs, site fees and without funding, we won't be able to raise the funds we need in 2023 to keep the festival free, so instead we will turn our attention to 2024. Anyone who would like to support or sponsor the festival in 2024 would be very welcome and please do get in touch."

Upfest 2022 saw the festival move to a brand new location at Greville Smyth Park, as well as Ashton Gate Stadium and the Tobacco Factory, and saw over 400 artists from 70 countries congregate for a weekend of street art magic.

World-class artists such as Aches, Inkie, Kashink, L7m, Sabek and Goin are amongst the many talents to have picked up a can of spray paint and unleash their unique talents onto the blank canvas of Bedminster’s high streets.

To keep up to date with news, events and updates from Upfest visit: www.upfest.co.uk

VALLEY FEST ANNOUNCES FIRST ACTS FOR 2023

The Kooks will headline Saturday night at Valley Fest (3rd - 6th August, 2023). The family-friendly, food and music festival takes place alongside Chew Valley Lake, near Bristol.

Pillars of the UK indie pop world, The Kooks, launched their career with ‘Inside In/Inside Out’. This quadruple-platinum album includes ‘She Moves in Her Own Way’, ‘You Don’t Love Me’ and the band’s top five single ‘Naive’.

Since then, they've gone on to release five further albums, including 'Let’s Go Sunshine,’ which achieved top ten status in the UK Album Charts in 2018. Their latest record,’10 Tracks To Echo In The Dark’ flirts with genres from 80s synth-pop to funk to prog rock.

Josh Eggleton will head up the food programme. He is Chef Patron of the multi-award-winning restaurant The Pony Chew Valley (previously the Michelin starred Pony & Trap). Helping to curate a stellar feasting menu, Josh will also bring in many of the much-loved and award-winning chefs of the South West for demonstrations.

One such chef is Peter Sanchez-Igle sias, of Michelin-starred Paco Tapas and newly-opened Casa. He will be behind the Friday Feast. Peter will also run a chef demonstration, sharing some of his skills, knowledge and passion.

Tickets for the feasts will go sale in the new year.

The award-winning festival is now in its eighth year. From big name headliners to rising stars with feasts, cooking demon strations and lots more in between, the Valley Fest programme has everything music and food lovers could want. Hav ing sold out twice in a row, the festival is going from strength to strength.

“We’re off to a strong start and there’s still so much to come! More headliners, Arcadia’s Alchemist Playground line up plus our Regenerative programme, not forgetting our workshops and wellbeing classes. I can’t wait for everyone to Get On My Land!”

Expect hedge-to-hedge Somerset sparkle and plenty of nonsense with a spectacular soundtrack. Weekend Tickets are £155 (plus booking fee) and can be bought in instalments to spread the payment from www.valleyfest.co.uk.

Luke Hasell, Valley Fest Founder says:

Josh Eggleton

DECEMO

WHATS ON

DECEMBER 9

Crossfire Mark II

Description: Well well we’re finally back in Weston super mare. Playing at heroes our final gig for 2022. Come support your bands and venues

Venue: Heroes Bar 122-124 High Street BS231 Weston-super-Mare

Live Music with Earl Tee

Description: live music with earl tee from 8pm Pop, rock, soul, reggae & Motown. From 60’s to today! Killers, Elvis, Amy Wine House Queen & lots more! Its annual christmas jumper day so feel free to get festive!

Venue: Phoenix Bar Victoria Square Portishead, Gin and Jazz at Xmas Description: A seasonal night with live music from The Tristan Darby Quartet.

Venue: Zion Bristol Bishopsworth Rd Bristol, BS13 7JW,

DECEMBER 10

The Kris Nock Big Band’s Big Christmas Concert

Description: Annual Christmas concert. Featuring your favorite Christmas music including Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, and many, many more! Doors open at 7pm

Venue: Staple Hill Methodist Church 131 High St Staple Hill BS16 5HQ Bristol Blues Brothers Description: Tribute to The Blues Brothers from 9pm, Free Entry - Guaranteed a great night with plenty of dancing to be done!

Venue: Wishing Well Wapley Rd Codrington Bristol BS37 6RY

Sleeping Beauty Description: Get ready for the panto you’ve been dreaming of...Enjoy a traditional pantomime full of family-friendly comedy, sparkling song and dazzling dance numbers, as our cast spin the traditional yarn of Sleeping Beauty, bringing the magical fairytale alive.

Venue: Playhouse Weston 126-130 High St Weston-super-Mare BS23 1HP

DECEMBER 11

Benji Kirkpatrick

Description: Benji Kirkpatrick is a singer, songwriter and musician. He has been performing solo for nearly 25 years and is one third of acclaimed ‘bloke folk’ trio, Faustus and was a key member of folk big band and multiple BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners Bellowhead.

Venue: Bristol Folk House 40A Park Street BS1 5JG Bristol

Better than Chocolate Christmas Concert

Description: Better than Chocolate would like to invite you to a Christmas Concert featuring wonderful music to help get you on the mood for the festive season. Tickets are £6.00 (including a glass of wine or soft drink and a mince pie) and are available from matthews. diana@gmail.com.

Venue: St Andrew’s Church The Rectory Tunbridge Close Chew Magna BS40 8SU

DECEMBER 12 DECEMBER 13

Puppy Christmas - Mini

Fair

Description: A fun work shop that will help you prep your puppy for Christmas fun.Are you worried about the puppy pulling down your Christmas tree or scoffing down the turkey? I am here to help you plan ahead, put in management tools in place and most importantly allow your dog to have fun with their puppy friends! Create some lovely memories of your puppies first Christmas!

Venue: Avon Riding Centre Kingsweston Road BS10 7QT Bristol

Bristol Bow-Owners

Evening

Description: Short film screening about the endangered Brazilwood which our bows are made from, Q&A and live music!

Venue: The Cube Microplex Dove Street South BS2 8JD Bristol

Pregnancy yoga Hanham

Description: move, breathe, relax - support your pregnancy journey with our specialist preg nancy yoga classes. Ease aches and pains, connect with baby and other local mums, prepare for labour and birth. Try your first session for free! Email kim. Mousley@lushtums.Co.Uk to book a space

Venue: Hanham Community Centre 118-124 High St Hanham BS15 3EJ Bristol

Sound Bath Concert

Description: a 1 hour mid-winter sound bath concert, featuring Bris tol-based contemporary vocal project Murmuration Choir, with yoga nidra led by yoga teacher Elena Byers. Sound Bath 1 - 6.30 - 7.30 pm Sound Bath 2 - 8 - 9 pm Sound Bath 3 - 9..3010.30 pm

Venue: Trinity Centre, Trinity Rd, St Jude’s Bristol BS2 0NW

DEC 14 - DEC 15

BPN Christmas Black Tie & Networking Event

Description: Are you attending the BPN’s Christmas Black Tie & Net working Event? Tickets are now out! Grab your early bird tickets now. December 14th

Venue: DoubleTree Redcliffe Way BS1 6NJ Bristol Rudonk the red nose rave deer

Description: Thursday 15th of December Bristol Donk Collective and Ridonkulous Records combine forces for a night of madness Christmas styleee at Dare To Club Bristol.

Venue: Dare to Club 1 Alfred St Bristol BS2 0RF

Aromatherapy

Description: Guided by a professional aromather apist and herbalist, you’ll explore a number of seasonal and organic aromatic herbs and essential oils.

Venue: Prior Shop 23 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars Cabot Circus Bristol,

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.

In cinemas 16th December

BONES AND ALL WAKANDA FOREVER

HELP PROVIDE PRESENTS FOR CHILDREN IN HOSPITAL IN BRISTOL THIS CHRISTMAS

It’s fair to say that no one wants to be in hospital over the festive period.

But for many children they have no choice – if they are injured or sick, then they, and their families, will have to celebrate Christmas in hospital.

And one Mum knows all too well what it is like to have a child in hospital over Christmas.

Rachel Emmett, 36, is mum to fouryear-old Gideon, who underwent pioneering surgery at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and is calling for donations of toys and gifts for sick children and their families.

Rachel and her husband are from Longfield in Kent, a 150-mile journey, and with nowhere to stay near the hospital, were provided with free accommodation at Ronald McDonald House Bristol in Royal Fort Road while Gideon was in hospital for four months in 2019.

They had previously stayed at Ronald McDonald House Evelina London for 15 months while Gideon was in hospital in London.

Gideon was born with a condition called long-gap oesophageal atresia, which meant there was a very large gap in his oesophagus (food pipe) so that he could not swallow or eat.

The team at Bristol Royal Hosptial for Children helped repair Gideon’s oesophagus by using a section of Gideon’s small intestine to bridge the gap in an 11-hour surgery.

Rachel says: “I remember heating up Christmas dinner in a hospital microwave on Gideon’s first Christmas, as well as the sadness at disrupted plans during the festive season when Gideon had an unexpected hospital admission.

“For children especially it should be the happiest time of year. Because of this, and having experienced a hospital Christmas ourselves, we wanted to give back and help brighten up Christmas for some of the children and families who are poorly and will need medical support this festive season.”

Rachel has created an Amazon Gift List so that people can send new toys and gifts direct to Ronald McDonald House Bristol for the children and their parents.

The team at the house will then wrap the gifts and distribute them to the families staying there.

Rachel added: “We will forever be grateful to Ronald McDonald House for the support and accommodation they provided us with while Gideon was in hospital and we were far from home.

“Thank you to anyone who donates a gift for the children and their families for whom I know it will mean so much.”

Link to Amazon Gift list: http://bit.ly/ HospitalXmas2022 (when ordering make sure to change your address to the Gift registry address not your default address so items are delivered direct to Ronald McDonald House Bristol).

FIRST TWO UNICORNS REVEALED IN BRISTOL

Unicornfest is coming to Bristol 2023 and it's gonna be awesooooome! To get everyone in the that magical, sparkly spirit and help the amazing charity, Leukaemia Care UK, two special unicorns have appeared around town. Harry Uni-kane is joining the football party at Ashton Gate and will be standing proud with a LGBTQ+ OneLove armband. You can also find a Christmas themed one down Broadmead at the festive market that just opened. Check 'em out - they've got QR codes linking to the fundraising campaign with all info you need. Let's get this unicorn show on the road!

Members of the public, businesses and organisations across the West will be able to donate directly from their bank account into Leukaemia Care’s bank account without the need of a debit or credit card. This new Open Banking powered payment technology is developed specifically for the trail by Bristol fintech success story Moneyhub, who are supporting the initiative as a growing Bristol enterprise now backed by pow erhouses Legal & General and Lloyds Banking Group, and Nationwide.

Donations can be made simply by scanning the unicorn’s QR code with any smart phone or tablet or via this online link. This payment method is easy-toaccess and safe, with 100% of donations going straight to Leukaemia Care with no fees being taken, unlike other donation options.

Zack Pemberton-Whiteley, CEO of Leukaemia Care comments: “Thanks to Moneyhub for their support for Unicornfest. The trail is free for all to enjoy, but together we’ve given the opportunity to donate through QR codes across the trail for those who would like to. This will supplement our other efforts to fund the important work of Leukaemia Care”.

Ingrid Anusic, Marketing Director of Moneyhub adds: “As a Bristol-based brand we were really keen to get involved with Unicornfest as we could see how our technology could enhance the fundraising efforts around this bright, uplifting and innovative arts trail. Our payments software gives the public a quick, easy and safe way to donate, along with the assurance that 100% of their donation goes directly to the cause without any delays”.

The event has already attracted 25 sponsors from across the city leaving just 20 sponsorship spaces remaining. Those involved will be matched to an artist early next year ahead of painting commencing in February. With limited sponsorship spaces remaining, those wishing to be involved should get in touch with the Unicornfest team as soon as possible

Unicornfest will take place across Bristol from 1 July to 3 September 2023 and forms a key part of the 650th anniver sary celebrations for Bristol. There will be a series of activities planned leading up to the trail itself which will provide unicorn lovers everywhere plenty of opportunity to get up close and personal with the magical herd.

The artist applications have been open since October, with some fantastic designs and ideas coming forward. With well-known street artists HazardOne, Holy Moly, Farrah Fortnam and Artist in the Shed now secured, artist applications have been extended until 30th December.

Hengrove Community Centre

Fortfield Road

BS14 9NX

Tuesday 9.30am

Sarah: 07879 443888

Bridgefarm Primary School

East Dundry Road BS14 0LL

Wednesday 5.30pm and 7pm Sarah: 07879 443888

Christ Church Hall Petherton Road Hengrove BS14 9BP Saturday 9:30am Keesa: 07399 597267

THIS WINTER, YOUR SUPPORT WILL SAVE LIVES

Your local air ambulance charity has launched an appeal to ensure they have the kit and equipment needed to save lives through winter.

The festive season is traditionally a time to enjoy celebrating with loved ones, friends and family, yet sadly many people across the region will be involved in medical incidents or traumatic events that will leave them fighting for their lives.

Two years ago, at Christmas time, twelve-year-old Logan had a headache, but it quickly turned into something much worse. Within a short space of time, he stopped breathing. Great Western Air Ambulance Charity’s (GWAAC) specialist crew went to help — they put Logan into an induced coma on his driveway and transported him to Bristol Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery on his brain.

Mum Sue said: “Thanks to everyone’s actions that day, Logan is alive and well, with no side effects due to the quick response of the paramedics and the specialist skills that only your air ambulance team could bring.

Years of training and experience help the GWAAC crew make quick decisions and carry out an array of procedures that save lives every day.

But it’s the kit and specialist equipment they have with them that can often mean the difference between life and death. It’s vital that they have the tools they need to carry out incredible and potentially lifesaving procedures.

“What we bring isn’t just skill and experience. We also bring kit. And it’s the confidence and familiarity of using that kit that means we can provide early treatment that turns into definitive care for the patient. This reduces the need for the patient to be transferred from one hospital to another because we can take them to the one that is best able to provide that care.”

Mark Kinsella, SPCC, GWAAC

I am so thankful to everyone who helped us that day.”

It’s not particularly glamorous or impressive to look at, but the crew’s kit is vital, and it saves lives. It goes on every mission, 35 times a week to nearly 2,000 people each year. It gets battered and deteriorates and it costs to maintain and replace it.

That’s why GWAAC has launched an appeal this winter. The char ity needs to raise vital funds to help its doctors and paramedics save more lives by giving them continued access to kit and equipment they need and use every day. Funds raised could turn into a blood transfusion, diagnose a critical medical issue or stabilise a patient to give them more time.

The cost-of-living crisis is hitting everybody hard, and it’s affecting GWAAC too. But your air ambulance won’t stop trying. Funds raised right now will reassure the crew that they can continue giving some one their best chance of survival on their worst day. It will mean they have the tools they need to do their job, wherever and whenever, and whatever they’re needed for.

Every pound can support a crew member to deliver the urgent care they have trained so hard to give. Give what you can this winter and help make a difference to local lives. Please visit: https://greatwesternairambu lance.com/save-lives-this-winter/

CHRISTMAS SAUSAGE ROLLS WITH SPICED CRANBERRY SAUCE

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 400g pork sausages

• 70g walnuts, roughly chopped

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 3 tsp Mixed Spice

• 2 tsp Mixed Herbs

• 320g sheet ready-rolled puff pastry

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 tbsp of sesame seeds

• 250g fresh or frozen cranberries

• 100g caster sugar

• Juice and zest 1 orange

• 50ml water

Method

Heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, and cook the onion for 6-8 minutes until soft but not coloured. Transfer to a large bowl and leave to cool

Preheat the oven 200°C /180°C fan/6 gas mark. Slice open the sausages, remove the sausage meat and place to one side. Add the sausage meat, walnuts, cinnamon, mixed spice, mixed herbs to the bowl with the onions, and mix together until well combined

Unroll the pastry, and cut in half length ways, making two long strips. Halve the sausage mix and lay each half along the long edge of one of the pastry strips in a thin sausage shape, leaving a 1cm edge. Tightly roll the pastry around the sausage meat and brush the ends with egg to secure. Cut each roll into 10 pieces and arrange on a baking tray. Brush each sausage roll with more beaten egg and sprinkle over a few poppy or sesame seeds seed. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and crisp

Meanwhile, to make the cranberry sauce place the cranberries, sugar, orange juice and zest and 50ml of water in a saucepan over a medium heat. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes until the cranberries have broken down and you have a jammy consistency The sausage rolls can be served warm or at room tempera ture with the cranberry sauce the same in a small bowl for spooning

SAVOURY CHRISTMAS MUFFINS

Ingredients

• 250g self raising flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 80g unsalted butter, melted and cooled

• 50ml semi-skimmed milk

• 200g Greek style natural yogurt

• 100g leftover cooked Brussels sprouts, chopped

• 6 leftover pigs in blankets, chopped

• 200g leftover stuffing, crumbled

• 4 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/ Gas 6

Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases

In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and bicarb, then season

In a jug, whisk the eggs, butter, milk and yogurt

Stir the wet ingredients into the flour mixture until just combined Stir in the sprouts, pigs in blankets and half the stuffing

Swirl through 2 tbsp of the cranberry sauce

Divide the mixture between the muffin cases, then crumble over the rest of the stuffing and top each with a dollop of the remaining cranberry sauce

Bake for 18-20 mins, until well risen and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean

VOI EXPANDS E-SCOOTERS TO SOUTH BRISTOL

Voi’s expansion to Bristol’s outskirts will help improve transit equity in some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the city, providing residents with more transport options while enhancing access to employment opportunities.

Hey Bristol! Voi has some awesome news: they just expanded their e-scoot er operating area to include Hartcliffe, Hengrove, Stockwood and Whitchurch. That's basically the whole city - from Avonmouth, Cribbs Causeway to the city centre - now accessible via e-scooter. Even better? The scheme has been an amazing boost to your local economy: a report by Voi says it's contributed a whopping £43 million between 20202024 (with over £13 million in 2022 alone) and nearly £20 million is estimated for spending on Bristol's high street. How great is that?! Enjoy gliding around town responsibly.

According to an independent socio-eco nomic report, commissioned by Voi, the scheme has now become an important part of the city’s fabric, contributing an estimated £43 million between 2020 and 2024 to the local economy – including over £13 million in 2022 alone. The report estimates that nearly £20 million will also be spent on Bristol’s high street as a direct result of people’s ability to access the convenience of e-scooters during the same period.

The expansion to the city’s outskirts in the south will help bring equity to some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Bristol as Voi’s e-scooters have helped increase access to employment, according to the report. It has also found that nearly one-quarter (24 per cent) of all Voi trips start and end in the country’s most deprived areas. Bristol residents have also come to rely on the convenience Voi’s service for their daily commute, as just under two-thirds (60 per cent) of all morning e-scooter trips in Bristol end in the top 10 per cent of the most employment-dense locations in the city.

This expansion is the latest development in Voi’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Bristol. Rolling out the latest e-scooter in the V5, combined with the expansions to the north of the city in summer 2022, Bristol continues to be one of the most popular schemes in Europe with 7.5 million rides since launching in 2020 and as a consequence, replacing an estimated three million car journeys.

Councillor Don Alexander, Bristol City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Bristol is already the most popular city in the UK for Voi e-scooters with an estimated three million car journeys replaced to date. This further expansion into south Bristol will boost transport options for even more people across our city and help deliver a modern, sustainable transport mix for Bristol.”

“We’re delighted our service is expanding to include communities in the south of Bristol. Voi provides an essential service to people which is now available to everyone across Bristol, helping them to travel to and from work, see their friends and family, and visit local ameni ties,” said Sam Pooke, Voi’s Senior Public Policy Manager for UK and Ire land. “We’ve worked closely with Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority and the local community to ensure more people can access the benefits of Voi’s shared e-scooters across the city.”

WHAT’S A PROPERTY INSPECTION?

The comments we hear about property inspections and the rationale behind not doing them, mostly from self-managing Landlords range from

“I just don’t find the time to do them,”

“It’s a bit of a waste of everyone’s time really” and, my personal favourite”

“I have a good relationship with my tenants and trust that they will let me know if something is wrong.”

In our experience property inspections are an absolute must – not carrying them out is a false economy and, worse, stores up potential, expensive problems for the future. They highlight issues, they help catch things early and, on a more psychological level, they demonstrate to your tenants that you take their safety and the care of the property, seriously and that you are a hands on landlord or letting agent.

Here’s the thing about inspections – if done correctly and carried out regularly, not only do they allow you to ensure that any issues with your property (and there will be issues from time to time, this is part and parcel of property manage ment) are found in a timely manner and can be sorted before they escalate, but in addition, in doing so, it helps to maintain good relations with your tenants and fosters an environment where issues do not get ignored when they arise or swept under the carpet – but dealt with, quickly and timely, as and when they arise and before they grow into big and expensive problems!

The protection of your biggest asset should not be left to chance, abandoned because you “simply don’t have the time” or hinge on a relationship that you believe you have with your tenants. Inspections allow you the opportunity to catch issues before they become big problems and to get a feel for what is happening inside your property and how it is being looked after.

We often notice things before tenants do and we always encourage them to be present at inspections – they live in the property, so they will know if something is wrong and collaborating with them to put it right, is the cornerstone of good property and tenant management.

And, finally, my top tip – always have a look in the loft and any garage – this can be a wealth of information and a real eye opener!

During inspections, some of the things we look for are:

Safety and compliance issues, for example – alarms, sockets, fire safety and any obvious HHSRS issues);

• Fabric of the building issues -boiler, radiators & TRVs (thermostatic radi ator valve), guttering, fences etc.;

• A stitch in time issues – silicone, mould, drains etc;

• Are tenants looking after the property;

• Is the garden (if applicable) in a good condition and being looked after;

• Who and how many are living there – different sized shoes, 2 tooth brushes, too many beds/mattresses etc;

• Whether there are any illegal sub stances visible – remember sight and smell here;

• Whether there are any candles being used or other infringements to the contract;

• Whether there is evidence of any pest infestations;

• An opportunity to take meter reads and to talk with your tenants.

A property inspection is exactly what it says it is; an inspection (careful examination) of the property. It is not a cursory look; it is detailed and it is systematic. If you can enlist the participation of tenants and make them a part of the process, then we would advise that you do – we have always found this to be positive. It is a time to spot any issues, to answer any questions or queries from tenants and it is an essential part of the lettings process.

If you have any questions about inspections, or we can help in any way, then give us a call on 0117 440 6789.

HOME INSULATION GRANT

If you are eligible for support, your energy firm will do a survey and pay for improvements that will make your home more efficient

The UK Government’s just put out a cool grant to help people insulate their homes. ECO+ is here and ready to get you money for insulation upgrade. Sounds too good to be true?

The £1bn scheme builds on the already existing Energy Company Obligation (ECO). So, if you’re living in social hous ing, are fuelled poor or on a low income, don’t miss this chance!

ECO+ is aimed at helping middle earners, though around a fifth of the fund will also be targeted to those who are the most vulnerable, the Government said.

Here’s everything you need to know about the scheme, including who will be eligible and how it will be work.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE NEW INSULATION GRANT?

To be eligible for the scheme, both of the following must apply:

You live in council tax band A-D in England, A-E in Wales

Your home has an energy efficiency rating of D or below (energy efficiency ratings run from A-G, with A being the best and G the worst)

Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said: “This money is for people who have not been able to benefit from the previous schemes and will help hundreds of thousands of homes.”

HOW WILL THE GRANT WORK?

If you are eligible for support, your energy firm will do a survey and pay for improvements that will make your home more efficient.

The types of improvements on offer include low-cost measures such as draft proofing and loft and installing cavity wall insulation.

The scheme will run for three years, starting from the spring of 2023.

The average cost per household is expected to be £1,500. The Government has said that the measures will save households an average of £310 per year on their energy bills.

The Government is also launching an £18m information campaign that will give the public advice on “how they can save hundreds on their own bills without sacrificing comfort”.

THIS INCLUDES PROMOTING ACTIONS SUCH AS:

Reducing the temperature a boiler heats water to before it is sent to radiators (known as the boiler flow temperature) from 75ºC to 60ºC

Turning down radiators in empty rooms Reducing heating loss from a property such as by draught proofing windows and doors

Mr Shapps said: “The Government put immediate help in place to support households in the wake of global ener gy price rises caused by Putin’s illegal march on Ukraine. Today, we launch the first of many measures to ensure the British public are never put in this position again as we work towards an energy independent future.

“A new ECO scheme will enable thousands more to insulate their homes, protecting the pounds in their pockets,

“And in the short term, our new public information campaign will also give people the tools they need to reduce their energy use while keeping warm this winter.”

However, the scheme has also been crit icised, with Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds telling BBC News the measures were “so late when we should have been doing so much more for so many years previously”.

Adam Scorer, chief executive of National Energy Action, said the “scheme is not designed to reach the most vulnerable, it’s designed to reach people who haven’t been able to benefit from previous schemes.

“We believe government focus should be on the worst first, helping people in the greatest risk, the greatest jeopardy, more of this money should be going to help them,” he said.

Has your property gone up in price?

FESTIVE FAMILY FUN AT WESTON LIBRARY

Families are invited to get into the festive spirit at Weston Library on Saturday 10 December as local author Steve Gunning visits to read excerpts from his debut book ‘Santa’s Secret Agents’. The free event starts at 10am and there’s no need to book.

The story takes a behind-the-scenes look at how Santa knows which children have been naughty or nice and whether they deserve the presents on their Christmas lists. Santa's Secret Agents, under the command of jolly Saint Nick (a.k.a. Double Ho 7) and Mrs Claus, are always watching but where are they hiding?

Bristol-born Steve, who now lives in Clevedon, co-authored the book with Chris Wheeler. As well as illustrating the book, Steve designed free colouring sheets that will be available to take home after the reading, or colour-in at the library.

Published by Carraway Publishing, the 32-page book was written to encourage reading from an early age. It appeals to children aged five and upwards, in particular seven and eight-year-olds. The humorous book is also popular with adults – look out for the tongue-in-cheek spy references.

Santa’s Secret Agents is available to buy from local bookshops or to loan from North Somerset libraries.

Details of all the events taking place across North Somerset libraries are available on the council's website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/libraryevents.

LATEST CENSUS DATA PUBLISHED FOR BRISTOL

Bristol is really growing! The city’s population has gone up by over 10% in the last ten years - that’s over 44,000 people moving to the area! That’s higher than the average growth for England and Wales as a whole.

Plus, you’ve got a wild mix of ethnic groups, with nearly 20% of residents born outside the UK. You can never be bored here either - schmoozing in about 90 different languages and celebrating a massive 45 religions (although more than half don’t identify as religious). Despite this diversity, Bristol still ranks high na tionwide!

The census – which took place last year – is undertaken by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) every 10 years and gives us a snapshot of all the people and households in England and Wales. Census Day was on 21 March 2021.

Mayor Marvin Rees said: “We are very proud to have such a diverse city with almost 300 ethnic identities represented, and as a City of Sanctuary we remain committed to offering a warm welcome and a place of safety for anyone who needs it.

“We have a growing population, so we are really pleased that this year we surpassed our target of building 2,000 homes a year. 2,563 new homes were built in the city in the year to April 2022, including a twelve-year-high of 474 new affordable homes. We plan to continue to build on this progress through Project 1,000 - our commitment to see at least a thousand much needed new affordable homes be built each year from 2024.

“However we also have a shrinking budget, which means we have to make some very difficult decisions over the coming months to ensure we set a balanced budget for the next five years. The council must be smaller, do less and focus in on our priorities, while making yet further efficiencies.

“There is still plenty that we will continue to do and we remain committed to building a city of hope and ambition, where everyone is welcome and able to thrive.”

Other key facts from the latest census include:

• Bristol has a relatively young population with more children than people over 65.

• The median age of people living in Bristol is 32.4 (compared to 40.3 in England and Wales).

• There are 191,600 households in the city, up by 4.9 percent (8,900 homes) since 2011.

• 26.7 percent of households have dependent children (51,100).

• Almost 9,500 veterans make up 2.4 percent of the population over 16.

For the first time the census asked questions about sexual orientation and gender identity, with the results being published early next year.

The census is like a super detailed sur vey that tells the authorities what’s going on in our lives.

The info helps them decide how to spend money on stuff like roads, education and healthcare. It’s gonna take quite a while because there’s so many answers they’re counting!

When all the data has been looked at, it’ll appear on Bristol City Council’s Census Dashboard.

THIS WEEK’S ROUND - UP OF LOCAL NEWS

PUBLIC CONTROL OF OUR BUSES:

Our buses are a mess; unreliable, inconvenient and expensive. The body responsible for our bus service is the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) but under the current ‘Enhanced Partnership’ arrangement, bus operators have a veto over any decisions that are made. This means we have a bus service that is run for the benefit of private shareholders rather than the travelling public. However, it doesn’t have to be like this. Legislation already exists for the introduction of Bus Franchising, which means decisions on bus routes, timetables and tickets are in public hands. This is the system used in London and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority is currently introducing this system there. Many other Local Authorities are looking to do the same. The Bristol Liberal Democrats organ ised a huge petition and debate at City Hall on bus franchising a few years ago but the idea wasn’t supported by other parties.

We are trying again next week, and this time it looks like the support is there. If you would like to ask questions and make statements in support of bus franchising, you can write to Democrat ic Services at: democratic.services@ bristol.gov.uk

The text of our motion is as follows:

FULL COUNCIL MOTION – 13 December 2022

Taking back public control of our buses

FULL COUNCIL NOTES THAT:

1. A comprehensive bus service, providing a reliable and economical means of travel to all parts of the city for work, child support, health care, leisure, and other purposes is of vital importance to the city’s residents.

2. There are multiple economic and social benefits of maintaining an effective and accessible bus service including

a. providing a reliable means of travel for commuters and consumers contributing to the local economy.

b. allowing those who would otherwise be isolated more freedom to access safe and social ways to participate in commu nity and city life, improving their wellbeing and aiding independent living. This includes, but is not restricted to, those with physical or other disabilities, the elderly, and those on low incomes.

c. reducing traffic, congestion, and air pollution through the removal of private vehicles from the roads.

3. The Bus Services Act 2017 allows for alternative models to the provision of bus services where these were previously required to be operated solely by private companies whose working relationship with local authorities was strictly limited. The revised options are Enhanced Part nership, Advanced Quality Partnerships, and Bus Franchising.

4. Bus Franchising offers the opportunity for public direction of innovation of fares, routes, and bus quality.

5. Bus Franchising is being implement ed or explored by a number of city and regional authorities across the country including the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Full Council believes that

1. There are significant speed and cost advantages in implementing a more comprehensive mass transit solution based on buses as opposed to alternatives that are dependent on costly and disruptive infrastructure.

2. Implementing bus franchising would provide the opportunity to comprehen sively re-think and re-design how the bus service can best serve our citizens, the city, and the region.

3. Services provided under a franchising model would be better designed to meet the needs of the city rather than those of the bus operator(s).

4. Bus Franchising could provide the improvements and innovation required to achieve modal shift, increasing bus usage and reducing private car jour neys.

5. Bus Franchising would strengthen the West of England Combined Authority’s position in discharging its responsibilities for planning and transport across the region.

6. The West of England Combined Au thority’s previous dismissal of franchis ing in favour of developing an Enhanced Partnership was not the result of a comprehensive review of its potential benefits.

7. The Enhanced Partnership model is compromised by the power of veto that the region’s major bus provider will have over decision-making.

FULL COUNCIL RESOLVES TO

1. Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the WECA Mayor requesting that he commissions a comprehensive feasibil ity study of all aspects of adopting and financing a system of franchising bus services in the region. The commission should also consider how the existing knowledge and experience of each member Authority could also be maximised in the consultation and design of such an approach.

2. Request that the Mayor seeks con sensus from the leaders of the other WECA authorities, and the WECA Mayor, in order to facilitate the delivery of a feasibility study as soon as possible.

BRISLINGTON GREENBELT TO GO:

Bristol City Council has released its Draft Local Plan for public consultation. In the plan, Brislington will see not only massive redevelopment on brownfield sites, but also the loss of much of our Green Belt, stretching from the existing Park and Ride down to and including the former Wyevale Garden Centre. (The Allotments on Bath Road would be retained).

Continues next page...

We completely support brownfield redevelopment but believe building on our precious Green Belt is unaccept able. Please follow the link below and have your say. You have until Friday 20 January, 2023. https://www.bristol.gov. uk/residents/planning-and-building-regulations/planning-policy-and-guidance/ local-plan/local-plan-review

WHITE HART REDEVELOPMENT PLANS:

We recently met with architects, planning consultants and the new owners of the derelict White Hart pub in Brislington village to discuss their plans for the site. It’s early days but the idea is to restore the grade II listed building to its former glory, to be used as a community space, together with the development of a care home facility to the rear of the building. There will be a public consultation in the New Year and we will give you more details when we have them.

SAVE OUR LIBRARY!

The 100-year-old Central Library is under threat after Labour Mayor Rees stated he was looking at selling off the central location, to the detriment of our city and its residents. In an effort to save £1.4million from the library budget (less than 4% of what the Mayor lost on Bristol Energy!), the Mayor is looking at closing the central location, and other libraries across the city. The Liberal Democrats are opposed to the closure of the Central Library, and other cuts to the library budget, and will do everything we can to fight the closure, which is nothing less than an act of cultural vandalism. If you would like to save our library, please sign the petition below:

The extended operating area is planned to go live this week and so you will find that in addition to there being e-scooters being ridden in areas where up until now there weren’t, there will also be ‘virtual’ parking hubs, which are not marked in any way on the ground; they are set by Voi using GPS geofences and show up on the ‘Voi’ app for the riders to know where to park. The parking hubs will initially be on pavements but there is work underway to evaluate options for locating parking hubs on roads in any permanent scheme, something we have been calling for since the scooters were first introduced.

WALK-IN FLU VACCINATION CLINICS FOR 2-3 YEAR OLDS:

You may have seen on the news that res piratory viruses, including flu, are caus ing serious illness and hospitalisation for some 2-3 year olds in our area. There are a number of of walk-in vaccination clinics for 2-3 year olds over the next few weeks. You can find all the clinic dates and details here.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH:

Another year has flown by, and December is upon us once again. For many people the approaching festivities is something to look forward to, but for oth ers this can be a difficult time. Whether or not Christmas is part of your life, your mental health may be affected as it's a time of year that often puts extra pressure on us. The charity Mind has some useful tips for prioritising your mental health over Christmas and supporting others who may be struggling here

The current eScooter scheme has now been extended to the whole of Bristol, including the remaining parts of Brisling ton that had previously been excluded. This expansion was originally scheduled for the Summer, but this was delayed because of some operational issues with Voi’s parking management systems which needed to be resolved first.

By Jos Clark, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr. jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 370429

& Andrew Varney, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.andrew.varney@bristol. gov.uk Mobile: 07584 183381

A happyplace to live

We pride ourselves on having happy homes, where residents and their families can enjoy spending quality time with each other and develop new friendships along the way.

Our homes in Bristol are located close to local shops and amenities, and benefit from strong connections with community groups. We offer a busy and varied activities programme that includes something for everyone and ensures residents get the most out of every day.

We care for individuals with a variety of care needs including Residential, Nursing and Dementia Care.

WILL YOU PAY TO COME TO CHRISTMAS DINNER BECAUSE OF COST OF LIVING?

Get your wallets ready ‘cuz it looks like we might have to start shelling out at Christmas this year! Recent research shows that family and friends are asking their guests for contributions to help make up for the rise in general inflation and increasing costs of gas and electricity.

Even the grands are getting asked to chip in these days. People are also trying to save on their grocery bills, with many switching to cheaper food options, cutting down on different foods they buy, and deciding against more expensive meals like turkey. So yeah, looks like there will be a few coins flying around and wallets opened this holiday season!

Three quarters of us are also prepared to banish alcoholic beverages from their Christmas celebrations, in order to combat rising costs. In a bid to save even more, people are also willing to cut down on other traditional festive elements. Almost nine in ten will give up laying the Christmas dinner table with centrepieces and decorations.

Other actions people plan to take as result of the cost-of living crisis include cutting back on presents (41%) and going out: Despite this being the first Christmas in the last few years which hasn’t been heavily impacted by COVID-19 measures, over a quarter (26%) admit they’ll be staying at home more than usual throughout the festive season to save money.

The research also delved into people’s core etiquette beliefs at Christmas in the context of the cost-of-living crisis, with nearly two in five believing that etiquette is about politeness which should be always be adhered to, and almost a quarter thinking etiquette is an important part of making Christmas special.

Etiquette expert Lucy Challenger said: “This year, we know families everywhere are preparing for a very different type of Christmas. As the cost-of-living crisis takes hold, it’s clear that people will need to make difficult decisions. I’ve created a list of useful tips from how to approach difficult conversations with guests, to clever ways of making your budget go further when hosting.”

GET YOUR GUESTS INVOLVED

Rather than charging guests, create a sharing mentality ahead of festivities – so everyone can bring something (or their ‘speciality’) to have at the table. As a host, write down a list of foods or dishes for the day, and then allocate these to guests to make sure there aren’t any repeat dishes.

SWITCH TO ALTERNATIVE FOODS AND SPREADS

A brilliant way to make money go further this Christmas is by swapping in more cost-effective products. There are lots of different ways to approach this – for example, prosecco or cava instead of champagne, chicken instead of turkey, or even swapping some dishes for plant-based options. Choosing versatile products that can be used across multiple meals & dishes will also help make your money go further.

Where possible, don’t decant food into new serving bowls and platters, as this means more washing up which can add up on your hot water bill. Instead, take your cranberry sauce or FLORA tub and decorate it with beautiful leaves or foliage picked up from a walk – these DIY centrepieces also make for a fun family activity.

TAKE A BREAK AND TRY TO SOLVE THESES PUZZLES

EASY MEDIUM

HARD EXTREME

ESCAPE THE MAZE

Can you find your way through this difficult maze?

The winner of last week’s guess the word competition was Craig from Clifton who won £25 cash!

If you want to enter our competition each week to win cash all you need to do is subscribe to Bristol Weekly Magazine HERE and guess the word. Then email us your answer with your name using the link in the subscribers email. Deadline for entering your answer is midnight every Tuesday.

Good luck!

5 WAYS COLD WEATHER CAN AFFECT YOUR DOG

While it’s tempting to think your dog’s fur coat will provide everything they need to stay warm and safe this winter, they still need a little help from their human companions. As temperatures set to drop, certain risks increase for your dog.

Here are 5 ways cold weather can affect your dog,

DANGER OF SLIPPING/FALLING AND EXPOSURE TO TOXINS

During icy and snowy conditions, slippery surfaces increase the risk of injuries due to falls. And while salting is a convenient solution for humans, the types of salt used to melt ice and snow and keep it from refreezing are somewhat harsh for our four-legged friends. These salts – typically calcium or sodium chloride – can irritate the pads of your dog’s feet and are toxic if ingested.

DIFFICULTY REGULATING BODY TEMPERATURE IN SICK OR ELDERLY DOGS

Low body temperature can affect your dog’s bodily functions in many ways, and older dogs and those with kidney problems, Cushing’s disease, or hormonal issues can have a harder time regulating their body temperature. A low body temp can affect how well their heart works, cause an irregular heartbeat, and bring about low oxygen in the body or a change in blood pressure. It can suppress the immune system, leading to a higher infection rate and slower wound healing. Cold can also affect the gastrointestinal system, slowing down diges tion as well as making it harder for the liver to metabolize medications.

ALTERED METABOLISM

It takes energy to keep warm, and some dogs may need a slight increase in calories once the temperature drops below a certain degree to maintain body heat. For this reason, dogs subjected to cold have an altered metabolism, which may cause weight loss. However, keep in mind that not all dogs need this bump in calories, especially if they are sedentary in the winter – the health challenges overweight pets face are very serious.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO FROSTBITE

When your dog is exposed to extreme cold, such as when the temperature drops below 32°F (0°C), their blood vessels constrict to divert blood towards their core to keep the vital organs warm. This reduces blood flow to the extremities, meaning their ears, tail, and paws are susceptible to frostbite. The combi nation of decreased blood flow and cold temperature can lead to the freezing of the tissues, which causes severe damage.

RISK OF BEING LEFT IN COLD CARS

A lot of attention is paid to the dangers of leaving an animal trapped in a hot car during the summer, but the risk is just as serious in winter. In lower temperatures, cars act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold, and this can cause hypothermia and even death.

BRISTOL PARKWAY STATION APPROVED FOR NEW PLANS

The plans for the new station have been approved by South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet. The goal is to create a modern station that is more accessible and connected with the neighboring communities of Stoke Gifford, Harry Stoke, and Bradley Stoke.

The new station will include walking and cycling routes, improved connections to bus services, new retail and leisure facilities, community spaces, and housing and employment space.

The masterplan, which has been written following six weeks of public engagement over the summer, aims to transform the site into a ‘living station’ where people want to spend time.

Four unique areas will be connected by a new street running through the site.

These areas include:

A new community park called St Michael’s Place

A station building and public space called Station Square

A new nature reserve and green space called Stoke Gifford Park

New employment area called he Brickworks

SGC has worked in partnership with Network Rail, GWR and the West of England Combined Authority on the masterplan.

Cabinet member for transport Steve Reade, said: “This new masterplan is an ambitious vision to transform Bristol Parkway into a major new destination and for it to become a fitting gateway for the region and South Gloucestershire.

This masterplan reimagines Bristol Parkway as a destination complete with a new station, places where people can work, meet friends and family, as well as providing new parks where residents can enjoy the outdoors."

Dan Okey, head of regional develop ment at GWR, said: “The plan rightly sets an ambitious vision for the station and surrounding development. Improving interchange, station capacity and enhancing customer facilities are central to the vision.

“We look forward to working with our partners to turn this into reality, as we work to re-value rail in the hearts and minds of the travelling public.”

Malcolm Parsons, Network Rail industry programme director, said: “The Bristol Parkway masterplan, which we’ve worked on with SGC, GWR and Weca is an ambitious reimagining of the station as an improved gateway to the north Bristol area and beyond.

“The plan focuses on enhanced connectivity with the surrounding communities and puts accessibility at the heart of Bristol Parkway with improved facilities for those who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids.”

COMPANIES FACE CLOSURE THIS WINTER DUE TO ENERGY BILLS

The energy sector has come under fire recently for forcing businesses to close due to unpaid bills. This practice has seen a 186% increase in the last four months, with 20 businesses being forced to close. This is compared to seven businesses in the same period last year.

Winding up petitions are a way for organi sations to repay debts owed by business customers. This is done by closing the business and liquidating its assets.

Many businesses have been struggling to keep up with energy costs, which have been increasing steadily over the past year. The situation is not likely to improve any time soon, as the govern ment’s recent support package does not do enough to address the issue. In fact, many businesses can expect to see their energy bills increase significantly in the coming months.

Sectors particularly at risk of higher energy bills which increases the likelihood of insolvency include high us ers of energy such as chemical and food manufacturers, the hospitality sector as well as sectors such as residential care.

Many small businesses who do not have the resources to secure more favourable deals are also likely to find themselves in difficulties.

Energy providers have traditionally been unwilling to forgive any debt owed from customers in arrears, as they find it relatively easy to replace customers who have gone insolvent. There is also a lower threshold for shutting down an indebted business compared to an indebted individual. The minimum debt threshold for registering an insolvency petition against a business is just £750, compared to £5,000 for individuals.

Michael Pallott, Partner at Mazars says: “Small businesses – and even some larger ones – across the UK are heading for a tough winter. The rise in business es closed down due to non-payment of energy bills shows just how badly many businesses are suffering already.

“As the economy slows and many busi nesses still see their energy bills rise, we are likely to see many more closures in the months ahead.”

FIVE SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING TIPS FOR 2023

There are a ton of marketing options available for start up businesses. And customers are receptive to new and innovative marketing messages.

When it comes to expanding small businesses and start ups, marketing is one of the most important elements. Using proper marketing tactics and techniques that can boost your traffic and sales is crucial for all start ups.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

Amongst the most effective tools at your fingertips is social media. Research which channels your target audience uses, then engage with them there.

When start ups market themselves through social media networks, they can effectively utilise a range of online marketing tactics to grow their audience. These could include influencer marketing, pay-per-click , blogs and content marketing to video and affiliate marketing strategies using specific affiliate pro grams for beginners.

As with any marketing strategy, you need to start small and test, test, test. It is easy to waste money as a small business. For example, if you decide to work with an influencer, you need to make sure you pick the right one for your business.

People tend to follow influencers they like. When you promote your products through the right influencer with the right audience, your products and ideas are far more likely to be of interest to that audience.

KEEP A GRIP ON YOUR LIMITED BUDGET

Even if your start up has a limited budget, it is possible to market your products and ideas but on a smaller scale. It is not entirely necessary to dedicate a sizeable budget to marketing your business.

After setting your budget, you can evalu ate the return on investment (ROI). This will help you determine whether your marketing efforts were successful. The beauty of being small in size is that you can be adaptable and switch strategies away from the elements that aren’t working to those that are.

Use your ROI to compare the amount of revenue your campaign created with the amount you spent. Even if one of your initiatives failed or had a low return on investment, this sort of information can help you make the necessary changes to your marketing strategy.

KNOW

YOUR NICHE

Segment your target audience into smaller subsections and concentrate on it. Not only can focusing on a smaller niche reduce your marketing costs, but it also allows you to tailor a much more targeted marketing message.

Your marketing approach and message can be designed to address a very targeted group of potential and existing customers, increasing the likelihood of converting sales.

OFFER BONUSES AND FREE TRIALS

Offering promotional offers and free trials to new users can be an especially successful tactic for small businesses. This is because new businesses and start ups are looking to gain trust from their audience as they grow their consumer base. By offering freebies, discounts and bonuses, customers are tempted to try your products, increasing the chances of converting them into fully-paid up customers.

PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS

How will your business sell your goods and services if people don’t know you exist? If your customers are mostly local consumers or businesses, you need to raise your profile in your local area. It is crucial for small businesses and start ups to participate in social events where they can connect with potential customers, suppliers and other influencers who can help them market and sell their products.

It’s likely there will be a range of local events that you can attend from networking events to fayres for specific types of businesses. For example, a wedding fayre might be an appropriate event for a range of small businesses from florists, photographers, and vid eographers to bridal shops, car hire companies, caterers and small hotels and venues. Attending these local events can give your business the opportunity to build awareness, which can eventually help you promote your business on a larger scale.

In conclusion, as the owner of your business, you are its public face. Therefore, it’s important to attend relevant local and sectoral events, present a professional image, and say the right things. Additionally, make sure you’re marketing your business through the right digital channels. Finally, reach out to relevant influencers and affiliate marketers—these actions will help you make a strong impression on customers and peers, and your business will naturally flourish as a result.

in partnership with North Somerset Council

SUPPORT FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

Members of Cotham-based humanitarian organisation Aid Box Community have given a behind-the-scenes tour of their hub to local housebuilders, Red cliffe Homes, in thanks for their donation of £9,000 given to help them support local refugees.

Aid Box Community (ABC) - was founded in 2015 by Imogen McIntosh in response to the refugee crisis, a Free shop and Welcome Hub providing support, supplies and sanctuary to hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol.

Mandy Parker, marketing and sales coordinator for Redcliffe Homes, said: “I recently paid a very humbling visit to their Bristol Hub where I met Sam, who works there.

“Sam used the services of Aid Box Community when he first came to the country two years ago. He told me he didn’t need clothes or shoes, but what he did need was the hug the charity gave him and the care and love he was missing which made him feel he belonged.

“Hearing this personal story from Sam himself really brought home to me the importance of the work Aid Box does.

“The hub gives refugees somewhere to go when they need support in any form. We are only too pleased to support such vital work, which offers a real lifeline to many of their 3,37 8 service users.”

Imogen McIntosh said: “Redcliffe’s dona tions are going towards helping run the hub, providing transport for our service users to get to all the services we provide and supporting local refugees set up their new lives.

“The recent Ukrainian refugee crisis has stretched our services so any extra support is always a great help to us.

“The Bristol community has been a vital force in providing these services and empowering us, and donations like the one from Redcliffe Homes obviously make an enormous difference.”

ABC provides a range of services, from a Free Shop and welcome hub where they provide a choice of free, quality items donated by the public - from cloth ing, toiletries, and toys, to household and electrical items.

They provide many wellbeing and community-building activities such as sewing, yoga, arts & crafts, cycling, football, and swimming.

ABC also run a connection programme bringing together refugees who may feel isolated and seek friendship and com munity.

Further details on Aid Box Community can be found here: https://www.aidboxcommunity.co.uk/

Charities supported by Redcliffe Homes have included Disasters Emergency Committee, Youngminds and Action For Children, The Salvation Army, Mind, local foodbanks, WWF, Barnardos and Julian House.

Redcliffe Homes is an award-winning independent house building company which focuses on creating desirable homes in the most sought-after locations throughout the South West. More details at https://www.redcliffehomes.co.uk/.