Up Our Street Autumn 2019

LIFE LONG LEARNING

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up our street Easton + Lawrence Hill + Redfield + St Judes + Whitehall + Old Market + The Dings + Barton HIll + Newtown + Greenbank

Meet the Place Makers!

Everybody needs good neighbours

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Your free community magazine IFTar in thefor blocks new home supper club www.upourstreet.org.uk

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autumn 2019 Up Our Street Autumn 2019

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up our street

Contact the team

0333 023 5460

(calls charged at local rate) Business Development Officer Emily Fifield Email: emily@upourstreet.org.uk Communications Officer Tamsin Harcourt Email: tamsin@upourstreet.org.uk Community Engagement Officer Patrycja Pinkowska Email: pat@upourstreet.org.uk Finance and Office Manager Tracy Parsons Email: tracy@upourstreet.org.uk Interim Director Brendan Tate Wistreich Email: brendan@upourstreet.org.uk Place Maker - Newtown Debbie Benjamin Email: debbie@upourstreet.org.uk

Easton Community Centre, Kilburn Street, Easton, Bristol BS5 6AW

Did you know?

Up Our Street is hand delivered to 13,500 homes in Easton and Lawrence Hill. Each copy costs us 46p to produce and deliver, but we are committed to making sure it’s available to all Easton and Lawrence Hill residents for free. Paid advertising offsets some of the costs.

Up Our Street is a registered charity that relies on grants and donations. If you like what you read, and want to support our work in Easton and Lawrence Hill you can donate online:

www.upourstreet.org.uk/donate Up Our Street would like to thank our funders for supporting our work in Easton and Lawrence Hill

Place Maker - St Judes Leila Gamaz Email: leila@upourstreet.org.uk Place Maker - The Dings Melissa Derricourt Email: melissa@upourstreet.org.uk

OUr Trustee Board Ricardo Sharry (Chair) Amy Harrison (Deputy chair) Noelle Rumball (Treasurer) Saed Ali Sally Caseley Joyce Clarke Nic Ferris Thom Oliver Poku Osei Hannah Pepper Charity no: 1081691 Company no: 04023294

Stay in touch Join the Up Our Street Facebook group. 1,290 members and growing!

Find us on Twitter @upourstreet And follow us on Instagram!

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drop in and see us

Hear Up Our Street on the One Love Breakfast Show every Wednesday at 8.45am on BCfm 93.2 and online at bcfmradio.com

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

Printed by Whitehall Printing with vegetable-based inks on recycled paper.

HAVE YOUR SAY

pages 5 to 7

The stories in this section are all about having a Political Voice. That is not about supporting a particular political party, it is about having influence over decisions that affect your life or your community.

GET INVOLVED

pages 8 to 10

The stories in this section are all about Civic Participation. This means the different ways that people can and do get involved in their community.

WORKING TOGETHER

pages 11 to 18

The stories in this section are all about Social Capital. This means the way that people work together to share skills and experience and build strong networks.

The opinions and information contained in this publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of Up Our Street.

Advertisers are not endorsed. www.upourstreet.org.uk

welcome

Welcome to the autumn edition of Up Our Street magazine, we hope you’ve had a great summer! The team has settled in at the new office at Easton Community Centre and is ready for action. We have said goodbye to Khalil as his project has come to an end, and we are saying hello to three new team members as Place Makers (page 4).

Staff and trustees from Up Our Street, Easton Community Centre and Felix Road Adventure Playground met recently to imagine how we can do more by working closer together, and

so become more sustainable in the long term. We look forward to sharing some exciting updates soon. We’ve also got some interesting art projects for local residents to get involved in on page 5.

We hope you like the mix of articles and interviews in this edition, do get in touch if there’s a story about Easton and Lawrence Hill that you think we should investigate...

Endowment Fund 2019 We had 11 applications from groups, 8 were funded, total value £5,193.44 We had 6 applications from individuals, all were funded, total value £1,565.88 Total funding awarded in 2019: £6,759.65 The future...

We are carrying out a 10 year review of the Endowment Fund to evaluate the criteria which could result in some changes to the 2020 round of funding. We would like to put together some case studies of individuals and groups that have received a grant within the last 10 years. If you are interested in being involved, please contact Tracy…

Ricardo Sharry, Chair of Up Our Street

Grants to groups

BristVol (£430) To support volunteering group in BS5 area Dadcast with the Man Dem (£1000) Dads can do hair project Dings Community Association (£1,000) To support DigiLocal weekly tech club for young people Easton and Lawrence Hill Activities for Families (£1,000) Towards cost of Cotswolds family camp Easton Community Children's Centre (£480) Music classes for preschool children Friends of Aiken Street Community Garden (£513.77) Planter, watersaver kit and equipment for community garden Friends of Barton Hill Academy (£700) Contribution towards Barton Hill Academy summer carnival.

St Luke's Church Coffee Pot (£770) Coach trips for older people in BS5

notice of AGM

Up Our Street is holding its annual general meeting on Thursday 17 October at Trinity Centre. We will present our annual accounts and impact report, elect Trustees and talk about the future. Even more importantly, we will be presenting Thank You Awards to 50 local residents who help make Easton and Lawrence Hill such an amazing community. www.upourstreet.org.uk

something you’d like to see in Up Our Street magazine?

Get in touch on 0333 023 5460 or

contact@upourstreet.org.uk

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UP OUR STREET

Meet the Place makers...

The Place Makers are part of our lottery funded project to tackle loneliness and isolation in neighbourhoods. They will be working for Up Our Street one day a week for the next two years.

Here they are in their own words...

Leila

I have lived in St. Judes for the last eight years. When I think about my work as a placemaker, I imagine circles of belonging- my home, my street, my neighbourhood, my city. I feel lucky to have made deep connections to my friends in the St Judes neighborhood.

I love sharing food with my Kurdish neighbours, or driving my other neighbour to the garden centre for a day trip.

I have experienced first-hand the difference it can make to nurture relationships with the people we share our immediate environment with.

I hope I can use my experience in working with community groups such as the Cube Cinema and Bristol Cooperative Gym to help our neighbourhood become more inclusive.

I am currently mapping everything already happening in St Judes, and talking to residents in order to shape my role over the next two years.

There is so much going on here - from the independent restaurants and cafes along Stapleton Road, to the green ribbon of the Frome; from the parks by the tower blocks; the leisure centre to Trinity. There is no reason for anyone to be left out. leila@upourstreet.org.uk

Debbie

My area is Newtown, where I live and work. I would love to put Newtown on the map!

Being part of the team at Up Our Street is a great opportunity to connect communities together. I have lived in Newtown for the past 17 years and have found that the area has a great community spirit.

Many of the residents of Newtown do feel that the area has been neglected for a long time, and that it’s time for some TLC. We’re planning to do some litter picking, coffee mornings, and social events for some of the older residents of Newtown. I’m looking forward to working in partnership with other organisations like the Trinity Centre and Lawrence Hill Health Centre.

I’m happy that Newtown residents will finally get their voices heard and get something done. Watch this space! debbie@upourstreet.org.uk

Melissa

I am an ex nurse and have lived and worked in various and diverse communities. I have had links with The Dings for seven years and lived here for almost three years. During that time I have experienced firsthand the wonderful nucleus of warmth and community spirit from fellow residents.

My aim would be to extend this welcome throughout the whole area, which has expanded hugely in recent years with the addition of several modern apartment blocks. Once crowned the best community in the UK, due to this expansion, it has largely lost that sense of inclusiveness it once had. At its core, however, is a culture of caring and support for residents, whatever their background or ethnicity.

I believe in kindness before creed or colour, and want to work alongside all residents, young and old, to make The Dings an even better place to live. melissa@upourstreet.org.uk

Hear more from the Place Makers in the Up Our Street podcast at bit.ly/UOSJuly 4

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

www.upourstreet.org.uk

HAVE YOUR SAY

The cost of cash

A recent University of Bristol report has confirmed what local residents have been saying for some time – it’s getting harder to take cash out for free in our neighbourhood. There are many cash machines in the area, but around 80% now charge a fee to take money out.

Easton resident Debra was so concerned that she has set up a campaign group called BS5 Against Cash Machine Charges. The Facebook group has over 80 members, and some of them met faceto-face this summer to discuss the issue with Councillor Afzal Shah and some of the University researchers.

The group is setting up a meeting later in August with representatives from the banks and WECA (West of England Combined Authority) to push for change. They are also investigating whether free to use cash machines could be installed in community buildings.

“We are moving away from cash as a society, but there are still people who rely on it” says Debra.

“For example older people, those who can’t get a debit card due to historic debt problems. We risk making people even more excluded.”

Redfield Post Office 104-106 Church Road open 6am to 10pm Monday to Saturday (6am to 6pm on Sundays)

Part of the university research involved detailed mapping of cash machines across Bristol, and shows that the communities who are most likely to depend on cash, have fewer free cash machines. In fact, Clifton has many more free cash machines than Easton and Lawrence Hill. As Debra says “It’s part of the repercussions of not having a bank in our area – banks used to look after the cash machine infrastructure but now they are mostly run by third party businesses.”

Where can you still get cash with no charge?

Stapleton Road Post Office 68 Stapleton Road open 9am to 10pm every day (until 11pm Friday and Saturday) Lawrence Hill Post Office 192 Lawrence Hill open 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday (9am to 1pm on Saturday) You can check locations of all cash machines (free and fee-paying) at www.link.com

Exploring the Arts

Up Our Street is working with Bristol arts organisations to launch the ‘Exploring the Arts’ residents group in September. This project will bring together a diverse group of residents from Easton and Lawrence Hill who are curious about experiencing more arts and culture in Bristol. Participants will have opportunities to attend events for free and help shape future programmes to make them more welcoming and relevant to a wider audience. Transport costs can be covered.

We will also be hosting a special womenonly workshop with international artist Kameela Rasheed (pictured) on Tuesday 8 October from 9am to 3pm at Easton Community Centre. Want to find out more? Contact pat@upourstreet.org.uk www.upourstreet.org.uk

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HAVE YOUR SAY

overcoming barriers: Autism in the Somali community Nura Aabe is the founder and CEO of Autism Independence, a community organisation that supports families from BAME communities, specialising in the Somali community. We caught up with Nura after the preview of Overcoming Barriers: Autism in the Somali Community. The short film tells the story of Somali families affected by autism. It’s available in both Somali and English and has over 150,000 views on YouTube.

What keeps you going when things are challenging?

“Seeing Zak talk every morning really gives me the energy I need. It inspires me to rise to the challenge. Zak is now 20 and he’s doing amazingly well. He’s learnt to talk, read and write. It’s beautiful to hear him say mum every morning and talk and use his own language.”

What motivated you to make the film?

“Because mainstream services didn’t truly understand what these families were going through. We wanted to make services more culturally responsive and sensitive.” Nura says she has been overwhelmed and pleased by the response to the film. She says she hopes it will encourage more families to get the help they need. “Often families are not confident to get help, there are barriers: stigma, family face, the language barrier.”

How has your personal experience shaped your work?

“When I was told Zak had autism, I had no idea what it meant, I could only interpret it as a mental illness, as there is no word for autism in the Somali language. That was terrifying… But when I understood autism I realised it wasn’t the end of the world. It didn’t mean that he had a mental illness, he just understood things differently.”

Ka Gudubka Caqabadaha: Autisimka ee bulshada soomaalida Nura Aabe waa aasaasaha iyo agaasimaha guud ee Autisim Independence, oo ah urur taageera qoysaska ka soo jeeda BMEga gaar ahaan bulshada soomaalida. Waxaan la kulanay Nura ka dib hordhacii filmkii ka gudubka Carqabadaha Autisimka ee bulshada soomaalida. Filimkan gaabani wuxuu ka hadlayaa sheekooyin qoysas soomaali ah oo uu saameeyey Autisimku, kaas oo aad ka heli kartid isaga oo afka Soomaaliga iyo Engiriisi ah Youbeka waxaana daawaday 150,000 oo qof.

Maxaa kugu dhiiri geliyey in aad samayso filmkan?

“Maxaa yeelay adeega guud muu fahansanayn xaalada ay qoysaskanu wajagayeen. Waxan rabnaa in aan adeega ka dhigno mid dhaqan 6

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

ahaan wax tar leh oo xasaasi ah”. Nura waxay sheegtay in ay si xad dhaaf ah ugu faraxsan tahay jawaabta filimkan. Waxay sheegtay in ay rajaynayso in uu dhiiri gelin doono qoysas badan si ay u helaan taageerada ay u baahan yihiin. “Badanaa qoysaskani ma laha kalsooni ay ku helaan caawimo, waxa jira carqabado sida dhaleecayn, wejiga qoyska, iyo carqabado xaga luqada ah” Sidee bay waayo aragnimadaadu u qaabaysay shaqadaada?

“Markii lay sheegay in wiilkayga Zak yahay Autisim,wax fikrad ah kama aan haysan macnihiisa, waxan u qaatay uun xanuun xaga dhibirka ah sababtoo ah ma jirto kelmada Autism luqada afka soomaaliga. Taasi waxay ahad cabsi www.upourstreet.org.uk

HAVE YOUR SAY

Who controls the future of St Philips Marsh?

Big changes are coming to St Philips Marsh with a new secondary school, a new university campus and many new homes on the horizon.

Now is the time for Barton Hill residents to have their say abour future developments.

Up Our Street went along to a meeting organised

by Marsh Maker to find out more. Marsh Maker is a group of local residents and business owners who want to write a Neighbourhood Development Plan for the area. Neighbourhood Planning is a right for communities introduced through the Localism Act 2011. Neighbourhood Plans become part of the Local Plan and the policies in them are used to help decide whether planning applications are approved.

The group of people who write and vote on the plan is called a Neighbourhood Forum. This is usually is made up of people who live in the

1991 vision of St Philips Marsh defined area - in this case St Philip’s Marsh. As St Philips Marsh is currently mostly a light industrial area, there are very few people living in the Marsh itself.

This is why the Marsh Maker group is calling on the Council to agree to extend membership of the Forum to anyone who lives within 500 metres of the Marsh, as they argue that residents in areas such as Barton Hill will also be affected by developments. Many families in Barton Hill are living in overcrowded conditions and want to see affordable and social housing at the heart of the plan.

Contact marshmakerbristol@gmail.com to find out more or find them on Facebook.

laakiin markii aan fahmay Autisim waxan ogaaday in aanay ii ahayn in uu aduunkii dhamaaday, macnuhu ma ahayn in uu dhibirka wax ka qabo ee keliya wuxuu u fahmaa waxyaabaha si kala duwan.”

Maxaa kugu kelifay in aad sii wado shaqada marka xaaladahu cuslaadaan?

“Markaan arko Zak oo hadlaya run ahaantii waxan helaa awood aan u baahnaa. Waxayna igu dhiiri gelisaa in aan culayskaa kor u sii qaado”. Zak iminka waa 20 jir aad iyo aadna wuu u fiican yahay.

Wuxu bartaa sida loo hadlo akhriska iyo qoraalka. Way qurux badan tahay in aan maqlo isaga oo leh MUM subax walbana hadlaya isaga oo isticmaalaya luqadiisa.”

Find out more and watch the film at: bit.ly/OvercomingBarriersPlaylist www.upourstreet.org.uk

Are you registered to vote?

The next General Election is due on 5 May 2022, but some reports suggest that a snap election may be called by the end of this year. In uncertain times with big decisions looming, it’s a good idea to check that you are properly registered to vote so that you can make sure your voice is heard.

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote You do not need to register separately for every election, but you must register again if you’ve changed address, name or nationality. You can also use this service to change the way you vote - for example in person, by post or by proxy. It usually takes about five minutes.

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

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GET INVOLVED

Pat says: “Hawo, Fadumo and other women from the blocks prepared an amazing feast for all. On this particular Saturday, Iftar was to begin at 9:21pm and when around 9pm we started putting everything on the four tables we borrowed from the community room, we realised that we were not able to fit even half of the food prepared! All the chairs then had to be repurposed as additional small tables and every bit of space was taken up by the trays, hot dishes, flasks and bowls.”

Iftar in the blocks

Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset and it is a great way to bring a community together. In Easton we have a growing tradition of such celebrations with Grand Iftar at St Marks Road now firmly established as a yearly event. Local residents Hawo and Fadumo were so inspired that they decided to hold their own event outside Twinnell House and Wills Drive in Easton.

Pat from Up Our Street has been working with residents in the blocks for a number of years, and supported the group with the event.

Digilocal in the dings

Young people in the Dings will get the chance to learn computer coding, thanks to DigiLocal, which has 17 volunteer-run tech clubs around Bristol. The Dings Community Association applied for an Endowment Fund grant to get the tech club started, as they were concerned that there wasn’t enough for young people to do in the area.

As the Dings is right on the doorstep of many of Bristol’s tech companies, DigiLocal was keen to recruit volunteers from the industry to share their skills with the local community.

When Up Our Street popped in, we met Arlo, Lily and David, who work for Delaware, an ICT company with offices in Temple Quarter. They are now volunteering regularly at the Dings club.

“We brought 100 plates with us but towards the end even that wasn’t enough and some residents had to run home and bring their own plate. It was fun and a real privilege to be part of this event. Hopefully some new connections were forged during this special evening. And I hope that the amazing hospitality of the women who worked for days to prepare a meal for all the neighbours will be long remembered in the block.”

Do you have an idea to bring your neighbours together? Contact pat@upourstreet.org.uk or call 0333 023 5463 (calls charged at local rate) to find out how Up Our Street could help.

They showed us how to use Scratch software that teaches the basics of computer coding, which you can use to make simple games and animations.

There are spaces for up to ten young people aged 8 to 14, and it’s free to take part. The club will run all year round at the Safe ‘Ouse in the Dings Park on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm. DigiLocal is always on the look out for volunteers. John Bradford, Digilocal Coordinator is keen to stress that “some confidence with a laptop is useful, but you don’t need any particular coding experience, more an understanding of problem solving.”

Contact john.bradford@digilocal.org.uk to find out more.

People volunteer in their community in all different ways.

What does volunteering mean to you? Share your story with Up Our Street, get in touch with Tamsin on 0333 023 5464 (calls charged at local rate) or text/WhatsApp 07903 089 002 8

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

www.upourstreet.org.uk

GET INVOLVED

Volunteer powered radio

How many volunteers does it take to run a radio station? Up Our Street caught up with Pat Hart, presenter of the One Love Breakfast Show and Chief Executive of BCfm, one of Bristol’s longest running community radio stations to find out more.

“Everyone at BCfm is a volunteer” says Pat. “And as far as we know, we’re unique in community radio in having a dedicated news team. They are all volunteers who cover five days a week seeking out local stories, researching, deciding what the mix of local and national will be, writing scripts and reading the news.” There are currently 14 volunteers working on the news team.

BCfm has 70 different shows, featuring local people from all walks of life. “Where else would you have a presenter like Rosabell from La Ventana Latina (The Latin Window), which is a bilingual Spanish/English show interviewing the Extinction Rebellion protestors?”

“We’ve also trained up our presenters to use mobile phones to record interviews, so you get that really immediate on the spot reporting with unique voices.”

Pat is also keen to give a shout out for the team that you won’t hear on the airwaves. “Without the tech team there would be no BCfm. Around eight volunteers do everything from keeping the computers running and the transmitter working, to the logistics of outside broadcasts at events like Bristol Pride.”

Training has always been an important part of the ethos at BCfm, and we can hear the pride in Pat’s voice as he lists all the BCfm volunteers who have moved on to paid work in local and national media. He also tells us that a certain www.upourstreet.org.uk

Marvin Rees honed his presentation skills in the early days of BCfm. It seems like a long time now since those early days. Born out of a short-term project, BCfm secured its community radio licence in 2007 and began broadcasting from the Beacon Centre. The station moved to Easton Community Centre at the end of 2017.

With several awards for BCfm on the shelf to prove it, it’s clear that the station really cares about the quality of the shows they broadcast.

“It’s got to sound good” explains Pat “people have to want to listen, not because it’s a worthy community thing to do, but because the output is good. We’re proud of that professionalism. It’s part of taking the community seriously.”

Pat is also keen to stress that diversity isn’t just a buzzword for BCfm “We like to mix people up from different parts of the city, to bring them together on our shows. We’re part of Bristol and we aim to represent all aspects of city life. It’s an open door here, if you’re prepared to come with an open mind and to listen to other points of view, then BCfm is for you.

Want to find out more about volunteering at BCfm? Contact steve.shepherd@bcfmradio.com.

Tune in to 93.2fm or listen online bcfmradio.com Up Our Street hosts a show all about Easton and Lawrence Hill on the third Monday of the month.

Our next show is 22 September, 2pm to 3pm.

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GET INVOLVED

Coffee Pot on tour

One sunny July morning a packed coach left the tower blocks of Lawrence Hill behind and headed off to the beach. The day trip to Weymouth was organised by St Luke’s Older People’s project, supported by a grant from Up Our Street’s Endowment Fund.

“Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves” said Mary, a Barton Hill resident. “We were lucky with the weather, some people even thought it was too hot!”

Her friend Christine from Lawrence Hill said “We had a little paddle in the sea, and had lunch with a lovely view of the harbour.” The trip included a mix of older people who live completely independently like Mary and Christine, as well as residents from Lincoln Gardens, an extra-care scheme in Lawrence Hill who support people living as independently as possible.

David is the Older People’s Worker for St Luke’s “We had plenty of volunteer helpers for this trip, which really made a difference. We could make sure that everyone had someone to talk to and felt part of the day.” The grant paid for an adapted coach to make the trip accessible for people using wheelchairs and mobility

aids. “Some older people can get very isolated, whatever kind of housing they live in, so it’s great to be able to get everyone out together on trips like this.”

David says that volunteers are always welcome for befriending older people, helping on trips, even making communal breakfasts. Find out more by dropping in to Coffee Pot (tea drinkers also welcome) at St Luke’s Church on Wednesday mornings from 9am to 11am. The next planned trip is on 24 October to Chepstow Garden Centre including a trip to see the autumn colours of the Wye Valley. Registration at Coffee Pot in late September. Contact David on 07804 363 170 or bigbromo@yahoo.co.uk to find out more.

everybody needs good neighbours The St Monica Trust’s ACE Neighbours project is helping older isolated people in Lawrence Hill to connect with their community through support from a volunteer buddy.

Buddy Jan has been visiting Heather since January. Heather lives in Easton. She saw a poster for the project and wanted to get involved. Feeling cut off in her home and not meeting people locally, she wanted to mix with more people. “I like to chat!” she says.

Jan, who is very active and volunteers in her local community said, “After retirement life can come to a standstill. Volunteering keeps my brain active and helps me meet new people.”

Jan and Heather have really hit it off and have been going to the Speedwell Bristol Community Café. Heather said “Jan and I get on well. I enjoy going to the community café as there are lots of people to mix with.” They are planning to try a singing group next at the Beehive Centre in St George. Jan enjoys being with Heather and said 10

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

the project, “does us both good, getting us out to places that we wouldn’t otherwise go to.”

Jan says she is determined to get Heather dancing one of these days. Heather smiles at this, but when two ACE Neighbours get together anything is possible…watch this space!

The ACE Neighbours project is open to people aged over 60. To find out more about volunteering or to request a volunteer buddy, contact Kathleen on 07964 923 032 or email kathleen.woodhouse@stmonicatrust.org.uk www.upourstreet.org.uk

The Easton Cowgirls got in touch with Up Our Street as they are keen to welcome new members to their netball squad, which has been running for 15 years. We met up with Lin, Lou, Jen and Holly round their usual table in The Plough, to talk about friendships built through sport, and how Cowgirls is more than just a sports team.

The Cowgirls have also recently added a third team, a group of players who found that after a decade playing as a team they needed a new club to join. “Having played against the Cowgirls over the years, and being aware of their inclusive attitude to both sport and life, we approached them to see if they could give us a new home.” says the new team.

“In the beginning we were a group of friends who just wanted to get together and get fit.”

Says Lou, who is one of the founding members.

“In the early days it was hard finding places to practise, as not many places have netball courts.

For our very first sessions we used to jump over the fence at a local school, hmm maybe don’t include that!” The netball squad has moved around a fair bit since then, and currently trains at Fairfield High School. Membership grew by word of mouth, and there are now three Cowgirl netball teams, with around 30 regular members.

“After some consultation with the existing Cowgirls, we were welcomed with open arms and have never looked back. At the end of the season we finished in the highest position we have ever achieved and fully attribute this to the friendly, flexible and motivating atmosphere at training (and in the weekly socials). The whole squad has fallen back in love with the game, and we’d love to have some new players to join the fun.”

Lin also joined in the early days “When I started I was working as a bus driver, and had three small children. The only exercise I got was walking the dog, I hadn’t played netball since school.

My first session I was so unfit, but I improved quickly.” The Cowgirls are keen to emphasise that the team is open to everyone. “It’s really mixed ability, some people just come to practise, and you don’t have to play competitive games if you don’t want to.”

We also talk about how The Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls are known for their political stance. “We are anti-fascist and left wing, we’re quite clear that it’s part of our ethos” says Lin, “We don’t expect members to be spending all their time going on protest marches, it’s more just having an acceptance of that political environment. But it’s more than just a sports club, definitely.”

As well as the social aspect, and building friendships after the match in the pub, the Cowgirls are also passionate about fundraising for grass roots charities including Temwa, which supports projects in rural Malawi and Aid Box Community, which provides practical help to refugees.

After a break for the summer, the netball team will be back to their regular routine of training on Thursday nights from 7pm to 9pm at Fairfield High School. Matches are usually played on Saturdays. First session is free, then membership is £20 per month, which pays for court hire and netball coach.

Find out more at www.eastoncowboys.org.uk or search for ‘Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls’ on Facebook.

The group also knows that joining an established group can be daunting, as everyone seems to know each other. Jen, who joined more recently says “I was pretty intimidated by the Cowgirl name before I joined, but everyone was so welcoming.” Holly agrees, “Of all the things that I did when I first moved to Bristol, netball was absolutely the best thing in terms of meeting new people.” The Cowgirls have set up a new member buddy system, and are planning beginner’s sessions, where you can refresh the rules of netball. www.upourstreet.org.uk

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WORKING TOGETHER

Easton Cowgirls looking for new members

WORKING TOGETHER

Community Interview: Dionne Draper “I love Easton!” is the first thing Dionne says in our interview. “Part of moving to Easton for me was to find a place where I felt I could link our family to a community.” Cultural identity and finding community are themes that run through Dawta, Dionne’s one woman show that has just previewed at Bristol Old Vic. Dawta tells the story of ‘Sarah’, who was separated from her Jamaican mother and adopted at three months old by a white family from rural Devon. “The biggest question for Sarah is who am I?” says Dionne, who has been working on the play for the past four years, drawing on her own experience. As well as writing the show, Dione plays seven different characters and sings ten original songs.

“It was a real struggle to cope with being a minority, a complete minority, with no friends, family or community to help me develop a healthy black identity. My white mother was always talking about how beautiful my natural hair is, and instilling that in me, but when I faced direct racism she didn’t protect me from that.”

She remembers her mother saying “Think of yourself like a little Jesus – he suffered greatly but walked through the crowds with dignity.”

Dawta was performed as part of the Ferment Fortnight at Bristol Old Vic, where audiences give immediate feedback on the show. “The one question that people wanted to know more about was why Sarah’s Jamaican mother gave

Sing your way home

Emma lives in Whitehall and got in touch with Up Our Street to tell us about the Easton Gospel Generation Community Choir, which rehearses at the House of Praise Church on Tudor Road. The choir recently teamed up with five other choirs to record an EP called ‘Sing Our Way Home’, which is also the title track.

“Home can mean different things to different people,” says Emma “But broadly it is a place of safety, a place to feel settled, become part of a wider community and a place where we can be ourselves.

For members of the Easton gospel choir, the choir has been a place to feel at home, a place where new friendships are made, all are welcomed and there are chances to learn skills and have a lot of fun along the way. For people 12

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

Photo credit: Chelsey Cliff

her up for adoption. That’s when I knew I’d got it right, as that’s the question I’ve been asking all my life. I wanted the audience to know what it’s like to be adopted, to be searching for that missing piece.”

And Dionne is clear that this is not just a historical piece, “Children of African descent are still over-represented in the care system… I really want the show to encourage people of African descent to foster or adopt where possible or consider buddying up with white foster carers to share information and cultural knowledge.”

Dionne has secured Arts Council funding for a short regional tour of the play in October. She hopes to start the tour at the Malcolm X Centre.

For more info contact dionne@singwithsoul.com

in Easton, this area has become a ‘home’, a place to feel you belong, a vibrant diverse community.”

“But home is also something those uprooted from their country due to war, persecution, poverty need to find again, many find themselves in our community. This song speaks to all those situations as well as providing hope of a permanent, ‘forever’ home for us all.”

The other tracks are a mixture of traditional spirituals and more contemporary gospel songs.

The choir aims to launch the EP at their annual Gospel singing conference at Easton Family Centre on 12 October.

New singers are always welcome, and the new term starts on 12 September. For more information contact Emma Smallwood gospelgen@googlemail.com

www.upourstreet.org.uk

Advertising

in partnership with

free Courses coming soon *subject to eligibility

ESOL - Improve your English (plus a FREE* crèche) Certificate in Principles of Business and Administration HABC Award in Accountancy CCTV Operator Certificate in Business Administration Working as a Door Supervisor Stewarding These courses start weekly and are run at St Pauls Learning Centre in Bristol:

94 Grosvenor Rd, Bristol BS2 8XJ (Bath College run these courses)

If you want details about the date and location of our next course please call: Bob Rashley on 01225 328 720 or visit our website at www.bathcollege.ac.uk/freecourses or www.stpaulslc.co.uk for further details. www.upourstreet.org.uk Up Our Street Autumn 2019 13

AUTUMN 2 01 9 Your guide to what is happening at the Learning Centre in the autumn term.

The Centre is managed and run by the Ethical Property Company.

St Pauls Learning Centre is a busy community learning hub. The centre has classrooms and meeting rooms, a creche, a café and a community darkroom. We also have fully tenanted offices. Our tenants all offer something to the local community: this could be support, information and advice or the opportunity to learn new skills and gain new knowledge.

If you are interested in booking a room for a class a meeting or an event, please check out our website www.stpaulslc.co.uk or call 0117 9145470. On the home page is a link to room booking. You can view room availability and make a provisional booking on-line. We also manage the booking of the Unitarian Meeting Hall on Brunswick Square. This is also bookable via our website. The Learning Centre is wheelchair accessible.

If you wish to hire the creche to support a class or event, please contact anna@bristolrefugeerights.org or visit www.bristolrefugeerights.org

Courses, Classes and Events Autumn 2019 Free ESOL Conversation Club No need to enrol, just turn up.

Practise speaking English in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Mondays 10.30am - 12pm Bristol Community Learning: www.communitylearningwest.net GB Training: Free Maths and English (all levels) Tuesdays 10am-2pm. Free lunch provided.

For more info call Josh on 077153 16677 or email: josh.smith@gbtraining.org.uk CCBED Free accredited courses start monthly.

Level 1 Award in Passport to Enterprise and Employment: • Develop your Enterprise Skills • Introduction to Marketing • Problem Solving at Workplace.

Email: admin@c-cbed.com Check out www.c-cbed.com or call 07908687534 for more info and start dates.

Learning Brains Offers English, Maths and Science weekend tuition from year 1 to A Level.

Taught by qualified teachers.

OFSTED registered childcare centre so those who are eligible can pay us through childcare.

We also offer family discounts.

Please contact Syed Shah on 07475081996 and book your free trial.

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Up Our Street Autumn 2019

www.upourstreet.org.uk

Courses starting in mid September 2019 How does our society work? (15 weeks) • What issues do we face in today’s society?

• What works and what doesn’t?

• What can we do about the things that don’t work?

This is an interactive course, covering a wide range of topics, from social inequalities to democracy; from the justice system to protests; from the environment to what it really means to be part of society.

Educating Everyone: how should we design our school system? (15 weeks) • Does the school system work and who does it work for?

• Why is school the way it is and how might it be better?

Share your ideas and participate in debates on education.

This course will be a lively, positive and confidence-building experience for anyone over 18 returning to study.

We particularly welcome those who didn’t much enjoy their own schooling at the time.

Both of the above courses will draw on your experiences, along with journalism, social media, academic research, and a wide range of other sources for our debate and discussion. There will also be opportunities to develop your study skills – including notetaking, essay writing and taking part in discussion.

The course fee is £350. There is a bursary available for up to £250. Conditions apply. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/study/part-time/ https://www.bristol.ac.uk/education/study/changing-education-a-pathway-to-further-study/ Adult Learning Pottery for Pleasure: Thursdays, 6pm - 8.30pm.

Pottery with Sculpture: Wednesdays, 1pm - 3.30pm.

Printmaking: Fridays, 10am - 12.30pm.

Learning to Sew: Mondays, 6.15pm - 8.45pm.

For more information on any Adult Learning Course, please go to: www.bristolcourses.com or call 0117 903 8844.

Printmaking with Barbara Disney Suitable for new and experienced artists. Experimentation encouraged.

Contact: barbara.disney@talk21.com Friday afternoons.

Stained Glass Club with Ruth Adams Stained Glass Taster class (10 weeks).

10.30am - 12.30pm starting Wednesday 18th September 2019. £160 or concession £100. ruth@adams.me.uk Stained Glass with Pete Bullard Ongoing evening class.

Tuesdays, 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

For more information call Pete: 07960275513.

Maroon Fist Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Self Defence Learn a skill, build fitness and confidence, and make new friends. Everyone welcome.

Cost: £7:50 up to age 18 years and £10 over 18 years. Tuesdays, 7pm - 8pm. www.maroonfist.co.uk Reiki Level 1 (12 week course) Learn Reiki healing & change your life.

Thursday 19th September, 6.15pm - 8.45pm, £150/£180. Email: kyronhealing@hotmail.co.uk See LEARN REIKI BRISTOL Facebook/website for info.

Bristol Disability Equality Forum - ‘Making Change Happen’ The Forum is run by and for Disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and older people.

Tel. 0117 914 0528. Email: bristoldef@gmail.com Monthly Over 50’s Film Club Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 2pm - 4.30pm. Come along and watch a film with others in the hall.

For more information call Jeanette on 07957625547.

Relevant Gospel Church We invite you to join us for a time of fellowship.

Every Sunday 2.30pm - 4.30pm. For more information: www.relevantgospel.church

www.upourstreet.org.uk

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

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Omega Fire Ministries Bristol UK Branch invite you to worship with us every Sunday: 10.30am - 1pm.

Pastor Christian Ikpeama. For more information call 07474776657.

Courses Woodwork Level 1: Make a toolbox and the learn the basics of woodwork by hand.

Woodwork Level 2: Make a cabinet and develop your hand tool skills and joinery range.

Woodwork Level 3: Choose your own woodwork project and learn how to plan/make it.

Upholstery Level 1: Make a stool and learn some basic upholstery techniques.

Upholstery Level 2: Make a sprung and buttoned chair and develop your upholstery skills.

Upholstery Level 3: Choose your own project and learn how to strip and re-upholster it.

Weekend Courses Costs Woodwork for Beginners Level 1: £180 Woodwork for Beginners Level 2: £180 Eco upholstery for Beginners: £110 Pallet Wood Workshop: £100 DIY for Beginners: £130 Tool Sharpening and Maintenance: £67.50 Wood finishing for Beginners: £67.50 Mid-Week Courses Costs Woodwork Levels 1,2, and 3: £150 - 180 Eco Upholstery Levels 1,2, and 3: £150 Eco Furniture Upcycling: £180 For more information please see www.themakershedbristol.co.uk Upcoming Courses Kids Darkroom Parties for 8 to 14 year-olds: Saturday 27th July and Saturday 31st August, £110 for a group of 10.

Free Photography Workshop at Recovery Festival: Friday 6th September, 2pm - 4pm at St Agnes Park.

Open Doors at St Pauls Darkrooms: Discover Bristol’s Place in the History of Photography.

Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September, 12noon - 4pm each day.

Over 50’s Inner City Photographers Project: Starting Thursday 5th September, 2pm - 4.30pm. 6 weekly sessions starting with a Taster Session.

Free of charge - you will need a film camera.

Cyanotype Workshop: Saturday 7th September, 10am - 3pm, £45.

Darkroom Consultation Evening: Wednesday 18th September, 5pm - 7pm.

New Tricks with Old Cameras: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th October, 11am - 4pm, £75 for both days.

Supported Darkroom Sessions: Thursday 24th October and Thursday 21st November, 6pm - 8.30pm, £25.

Beginners Darkroom Workshop: Sunday 3rd November, 10.30am - 4.30pm, £60.

Over 50’s Chemigram Workshop: Sunday 10th November, 10am - 3pm, £5 for materials.

Photography Quiz: Thursday 14th November, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, The Old Library, Eastville.

For more information: www.realphotographycompany.co.uk, facebook.com/StPaulsDarkrooms, email: stpaulsdarkrooms@gmail.com

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www.upourstreet.org.uk

WORKING TOGETHER

life long learning

Khalif Noor (pictured, furthest right) invited Up Our Street to meet a very special group of students, who are proving that it’s never too late to get a university education.

Khalif runs Bristol Best Tuition, a non-profit organisation that provides educational support for young people from low income families.

“Through my work at BBT, I began to realise that although helping young people achieve is important, it can’t be disconnected from family life. I realised we needed to work with parents too. I wanted to inspire the whole community about the benefits of education.”

Khalif approached University of Bristol in 2016 to encourage them to bring university taster sessions into the community. He was able to provide a venue and a group of potential mature students who were keen to find out if university was right for them, and University of Bristol provided the tutors.

course. When I told my community they were so surprised!” But he found he enjoyed the taster sessions so much that he applied for Foundation year, and is now studying for a degree in Anthropology “The study of people and their culture – I love it!”

Said has been in Bristol since 2007 and works for Bristol Somali Forum. He has just finished his Foundation year. “Before this I didn’t know about mature students, when I started the Foundation course I was surprised to find I wasn’t working the oldest student, there were even people who were retired.”

The scheme is now in its third year, “People which Khalif says has been the most successful, with 12 parents going on and learning to apply for a Foundation course, Abdullahi is starting his Foundation together... we year in September. He runs a local and eight being accepted to start in September 2019. The Foundation course need this in our business in Lawrence Hill. He says he can be a stepping stone to a full degree. had always intended to study when inner city” he came to the UK, but then family Many of the parents Khalif works with are Somali, but the current year group responsibilities took over and the also includes Syrian and East Europeans, Khalif Noor timing never seemed to be right. and with a good balance of men and “Ali told me about the courses and women (although as Up Our Street found, the encouraged me to apply too. I felt I had nothing women were more camera shy!) to lose, it was worth a try.” And what did his teenage children think? “Well they want to go to the best university themselves, they were Khadra was studying for a degree outside the UK very surprised and proud that I was going to the when she stopped to have a baby. “I didn’t want University of Bristol” to study when my child was so young, but then Abdirahman is hoping to join the next round I found it so hard to get back in to university, as of taster sessions and says “Often the Somali so many places were asking for qualifications in community are well-educated back home, but English and Maths that I just didn’t have.” After their English lets them down here - you need the attending the taster sessions she was thrilled key to let you in.” To address this Khalif has also to be accepted on the Foundation course “I’m worked with the university to bring in a tutor so excited about learning new things. After this to help the students with English for academic I might work as a social worker or a nurse. My writing. daughter is nine now, and she’s really happy for The ‘taster sessions’ mentioned are a short me.” course called ‘Building Academic Language Ali has been working as a taxi driver in Bristol and Literacy’. For more information about this for 20 years and says “I had no idea where to and other courses please email Khalif Noor at start when it came to further education.” He khalif@live.com or John McTague at University of was one of the first students to sign up in 2016.

Bristol at john.mctague@bristol.ac.uk “My dream was just to finish that first short

What the students say

www.upourstreet.org.uk

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

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WORKING TOGETHER

bristol spaceworks

“Our mission is to improve employment opportunities for local people” says Matt Johnstone from Bristol SpaceWorks. This is the not-for-profit company that manages Easton Business Centre, The Old Co-op on Chelsea Road and three other sites across the city.

“At the moment there is a priority around housing, which is understandable, but it means we are increasingly seeing workspaces in the inner city converted into housing and the employment opportunities are lost.” He points to the example of the nearby St Gabriels Court in Easton which was previously workshops and light industrial, but is now being redeveloped into residential.

Bristol SpaceWorks have 130 tenants across their five sites. Matt estimates that around 70% are small businesses and 30% are charities, with many charities working with refugees and asylum seekers at Easton Business Centre. Although they have a few long term tenants, Matt says the main aim is to provide a place for businesses to grow and move on to a bigger site. “We need the ebb and flow, it provides opportunities for new people.”

Matt also points out that as a not-for-profit, SpaceWorks is able to reinvest more of its income into maintaining the buildings, while still keeping rents affordable. So what’s next? “We have operated at nearly 100% occupancy for quite some time. So the next stage is looking for potential new buildings… we are always looking at opportunities to grow. We’re also looking at ways to improve networking between our existing customers, developing that business community.”

Find out more at www. bristolspaceworks.co.uk or call 0117 941 5800.

Open doors at Bristol’s only hindu temple for Durga puja Pooja got in touch with Up Our Street to tell us about the Durga Puja celebrations at the Hindu Temple in Redfield, which will be held in October.

“The goddess Durga is seen by Hindus as the saviour of the world. She represents the different aspects of women. She is gentle but fierce in the right circumstances.”

“Durga Puja is a festival celebrated in different forms across the Indian continent” says Pooja, and explains that the planned Bristol event reflects the customs of the local Bengali community.

The event is open to everyone in the community, and last year 2,000 people attended the celebrations. Pooja says she has enjoyed sharing traditions with the younger generation “my eight year old daughter particularly loves the mantras.”

And finally? “No Indian event would be complete without food! We have a full vegetarian feast each day of the festival in the temple. It’s definitely a time to dress up too, with saris and best clothes.”

Bristol Durga Puja will be celebrated at the Hindu Temple, 163 Church Road from 4 to 6 October.

For more information please visit www.bristoldurgapuja.co.uk

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www.upourstreet.org.uk

Up Our Street had a great turnout for our Festival of Solutions: Sustainable Futures in July.

Thanks to all who stopped by to connect and share ideas on a sunny Saturday!

The event kicked off with a panel discussion of local residents sharing actions they’re taking to work toward creating a more sustainable world.

The broad range of actions presented was an inspiring reminder that there are many ways to get involved in our area, from hyperlocal activities like East Bristol Kidical Mass bike rides to the international work being done by Labour Behind the Label to tackle the environmental impact and ethics of the global clothing industry.

We were also joined by local activists from Extinction Rebellion ahead of their summer uprising protest, by the founder of Plastic Pollution Awareness and Action and by energy champions from Bristol Energy Network.

Zakiya McKenzie, Green and Black Ambassador and Easton resident, led the panel. One of the main themes that emerged from the panel discussion was the importance of individual actions supported by structural change. Abiir, a local cycling instructor with Kidical Mass, noted for example that cycling or walking more regularly are empowering actions residents can take, but need to be supported by the city investing in better and safer infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

Similarly, Naseem, founder of Plastic Pollution Awareness and Action, stressed the importance of small changes that every individual can make like taking their own containers to takeaways and supporting businesses that use www.upourstreet.org.uk

environmentally friendly packaging, while recognising that more has to be done with legislation to stop plastic production on a national and global scale. Be it fast fashion, our diet, recycling, the way we travel or how much energy we use, we all make small, daily choices that collectively have a big impact on the environment we live in, but larger changes to the way business is done and cities are run are also needed.

After lunch, participants had the opportunity to do some more hands on work, popping in and out of workshops with Bristol Energy Network, Incredible Oceans, Zero West and The ReUsery, getting a crash course in bioplastics, gathering tips on how to better insulate their house, writing letters to MPs and learning how to make their own recycled paper bags and kitchen sponges.

Find out more...

Labour Behind The Label www.labourbehindthelabel.org Bristol Energy Network www.bristolenergynetwork.org Extinction Rebellion Bristol www.xrbristol.org.uk East Bristol Kidical Mass – find them on Facebook Plastic Pollution Awareness and Action Project www.ppaap.org.uk or look on Facebook Green and Black Ambassadors www.bristolgreencapital.org/project_cat/ greenandblack The ReUsery www.thereusery.org.uk Incredible Oceans www.incredibleoceans.org Zero West www.zerowest.org Thank you to all the organisations involved who shared their knowledge. Also a big thanks to Cafe des Amies for providing a delicious vegan lunch and Bristol Water for sponsoring our new ‘Love Your Community’ reusable waterbottles!

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

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WORKING TOGETHER

festival of solutions

LOCAL NEWS

Good report for city academy

“The singing group organiser books the journeys on the behalf of the patients and WeGo sends them text messages with their pick up time. The taxi then picks them up from home and drops them at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre. The service is a vital link for these patients, many of whom rely on WeGo to get them to the weekly group.”

“I don’t drive and I can’t walk far. Without WeGo, I wouldn’t be able to go to the singing group”, said one of the singers. “Martin [the driver] is lovely, always smiling”, said another.

City Academy in Lawrence Hill is celebrating following an OFSTED visit in April. The school has been rated good in all areas by the inspectors, a real turnaround from the last report in 2015. Up Our Street spoke to school principal Jon Angell.

“The inspectors recognised the unique context that we work in, and spent time understanding the challenges that the school faces, meeting the needs of an incredibly diverse population.

50% of pupils have English as an additional language, and around 30% went to primary school in another country. Ofsted were really impressed with how we support those students, particularly with language support.”

“I would also like to thank the parents who have chosen City Academy for their children and supported the school.”

NEW shared electric taxi service helps patients sing

Liz from Esoterix got in touch with Up Our Street to tell us about WeGo, a new shared taxi service that’s helping patients with chronic-pulmonary disease to attend a singing group in Barton Hill.

“Singing helps the group exercise their lungs and lift their spirits. The service uses an electric-taxi so their journeys have a minimal effect on air pollution too,” says Liz.

WeGo is a shared transport service available for community events in Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill as part of the REPLICATE project.

If you’re involved with a community group and you’d like to find out about using WeGo for your wellbeing events, please get in touch with Liz Davidson via wego@esoterix.co.uk

NAME the bridge!

Friends of Bannerman Road want to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in the poll to name the bridge at the junction of All Hallows and Albion Road. “We had a fantastic response, and are delighted to announce that the winner is… Frog Marsh! This is the historic name for this area of Easton, which was called Frog Marsh until around 1950 when it became known as Lower Easton.

Construction to close the road under the bridge to traffic has now started. The new pedestrian and cycle friendly space was designed by artist Bahbak Hashemi Nezhad and children at Bannerman Road Community Academy. It was developed in response to feedback from local residents who asked that the area be safe, support the community, create togetherness, and increase opportunities for outdoor activity.

Friends of Bannerman Road will be launching this new community asset with a celebratory event, so look out for details and please get in touch if you have ideas or would like to be involved. For further information, please email bannermanroadpta@gmail.com.

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Up Our Street Autumn 2019

www.upourstreet.org.uk

LOCAL NEWS

New home for community kitchen

After a lot of searching, Coexist Community Kitchen is delighted to have found a new home at Mivart Studios in Easton. The future for the organisation looked uncertain when they had to move out of Hamilton House on Stokes Croft at the end of last year. It had been their base for eight years to run cookery classes and pop-up events, working with people who for a variety of reasons find themselves marginalised in society.

Lead assessor, Alistair Barr said, “We only look at three streets every year, so you’re already on the winner’s podium.” The winners will be announced at the Urbanism Awards in London on 27 November.

police station: UNDER offer Up Our Street spoke to Ari, one of the founders of the kitchen. “We learn how to connect when we eat together,” she says simply. “We create a warm and friendly environment where we cook together but most importantly eat together.”

Although the kitchen has been without a permanent base this year, they have continued to run classes in venues around the city. They have also successfully raised £25,000 through a crowdfunding campaign, and now the hard work begins to build the new kitchen in Easton, which (fingers crossed!) will open in October.

Find out about volunteering with Coexist Community Kitchen on Facebook or email food@coexistuk.org

St Marks road shortlisted for BEST STREET award

St Marks Road in Easton has been shortlisted as one of the best streets in the UK in the 2020 Urbanism Awards. The annual awards, which are organised by the Academy of Urbanism, aim to “celebrate and learn from great place making.” A panel of judges from the Academy of Urbanism visited St Marks Road in the summer to meet local traders and representatives from the church, the mosque and community organisations. www.upourstreet.org.uk

Trinity Road Police Station is up for sale, but Avon and Somerset police hope to keep a small police station as part of the redevelopment of the site. A police spokesperson said: “In response to requests from the local community during the consultation on the sale and redevelopment of the current Trinity Police Station site, the Police Crime Commissioner has recognised the desire for a police facility to be retained in the Old Market area. This was a key consideration during the recent process of assessing and selecting the preferred bidder to redevelop the site.

The first phase of that process has now concluded and a preferred developer has been chosen in principle. Negotiations with the preferred developer around how the police facility will be retained is still in the very early stages so we cannot comment in any detail at this time. We hope to be in a position to update the community later in August.”

STOP PRESS...

Get local news, events and jobs every two weeks with the Up Our Street ebulletin.

Sign up at www.upourstreet.org.uk (it’s free!)

Something to shout about? Send your Easton and Lawrence Hill news, community events and volunteering opportunities to contact@upourstreet.org.uk Up Our Street Autumn 2019

21

Could you be a noticeboard super hero?

Our community noticeboards are updated once a month by a team of local volunteers. We currently need some extra help with our boards at Kingsmarsh House, Lawrence Hill Health Centre and Marsh Lane (by Barton House).

Call Tracy on 0333 023 5460 or email tracy@upourstreet.org.uk if you think you could help. Thank you!

Barton Hill Litter Pick organised by local residents First Saturday of the month, meet at 10am in the courtyard of Barton Hill Settlement Everybody is welcome!

Gloves and pickers provided.

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Up Our Street Autumn 2019

Templ e

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terpris The Un e Cam iversit pus y will b for the e shar d in buildin etailed des i gs and gn of t g its plans he ac publ heart o ic spaces th ademic at f the c ampus form the The pu . b 25 Sep lic consulta ti t bristol ember. Leav on runs from .ac.uk e feed /templ back o 9 to e nline a q ua of the t follow rter or atten ing eve d one nts: Public Wed

me nes Hillcre day 18 Sep eting: te st Prim ary Sc mber, 5pm t o hool, B ristol B 7pm D S4 3DE rop-in Wedn Engine esday 11 Se sessions: p Shed, Station tember, 6pm t Appro Thursd ach, B o 7.30pm r a i s y tol BS1 12 Sep Barton tembe 6QH Hill Se r , 5pm to ttleme 7 nt, Bri stol BS pm 5 0AX 

www.upourstreet.org.uk

St Ann Christm e’s as Fair Drop-in for a cuppa, First Thursday of the month 11.30am to 1.30pm The Beehive Centre, BS5 7AW Making Change Happen is run by and for Disabled people, older people with impairments and people living with chronic illness in Bristol.

Call Mike on 0117 914 0528 or email mike.bristoldef@gmail.com

Call fo

r Ar

tists 29 Nov ember 20 7-9pm Preview 19 30 Nov em 10am-3 ber 2019 pm Venue: St Ann e’s St Leon Church, ards Ro a Easton , BS5 6 d, JN

After la st year’ s succ St Ann ess, e’s hosting Church will be a Fair on nother Chris tm S Novem aturday 30th as ber 20 19 10a with a m-3pm Fri on 29th day night pre view Novem 7pm an ber be tween d 9pm .

To requ est any inform more atio the eve n or to sign u nt plea se con p for Lucy W tact in LucyW ch: inchCe ramics com @gmail .

Need paint for a community project?

Check out Community Repaint.T he scheme collect s full and par t full containers from householders t raders, retailers and manufact urers.

T he paint is available to individuals and groups for between £1-2 per lit re.

T he local par t ner is t he SOFA Project at 48-54 Wes t St reet Call 0117 954 7800 or drop in during opening hours.

www.upourstreet.org.uk

Save the date!

Deadline for next edition of Up Our Street magazine is Friday 18 October

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

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Summer 2019 in pictures We thought we’d take a photographic look back over the summer, there were plenty of chances for communities to get together...

Well done to the Grand Iftar volunteer team who this year cooked an amazing 6,000 meals!

Negat, Halimo, Suad and Pat at St Judes Community Fair

Beautiful henna at St Judes Community Fair Annual fun day organised by the Dings Community Association

Deep in discussion at Festival of Solutions Thank you to Abdul Malik, Bnar Sardar and Nola Hersey for sharing their photos.

Dinosaur spotted in the Dings!

Want to share a community photo in Up Our Street magazine?

Get in touch!

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Up Our Street Autumn 2019

www.upourstreet.org.uk

CATCHING UP WITH THE NETWORK

sponsored article

CONNECTIONS Sarah and Carla have both had a busy summer across Easton and Lawrence Hill. They have been running ‘pop up’ events in the parks across the area, building on the success of last year, The Network have been bringing people together in green spaces, building connections between neighbours through play, sport and fun activities, many of these activities were facilitated by ‘Resident Networkers’, who have previous developed their own social action projects with The Network.

They are also excited to have started working in new areas within Easton and Lawrence Hill wards, where they are door-knocking and starting to have conversations with lots of residents. Carla is concentrating on an area north of Stapleton Road, running between Seymour Road and Fox Road, whilst Sarah is working in St Judes in blocks between Wade Street and St Matthias Park. They will also be door knocking in Lansdowne Court and Twinnell House, asking residents how they feel about where they live and how they can connect with others to make positive change.

Residents with musical intrument created by Litterati at a Network pop-up in Chelsea Park

caption text Introduction to Fundraising training delivered by Robin Peters at J3 Library SKILLS Over the past year, The Network has delivered a wide range of training, shaped by residents living in Lawrence Hill and Easton. Together, we have learned how to use social media platforms to connect with others, to shape creative play sessions, to set up community groups, to facilitate and to fundraise.

Over the summer months, we were also pleased to announce a collaboration with a local face painter, who delivered a series of face painting workshops for residents organising events through the Network. We aim to be responsive to residents and to build skills where there are demand and need. Do you have any ideas for training that would have a positive impact on your community? If it’s yes, we’d love to talk to you.

Due to high demand, an Introduction to Fundraising training will run again this September, for anyone living in Easton and Lawrence Hill wards. Dates will be published on our Facebook closer to the time.

Current resident-led projects in Lawrence Hill and Easton you can connect with: UNITY, single parent group * Easton elders lunch club Lawrence Hill * Somali older women’s lunch club * Easton community sports tournament * Dog walking with over 55s in Easton * Barton Hill children’s activities group * Kurdish women’s group * Family summer camp * Midnimo Somali women’s group * LUSH Housing Cooperative * Cultural events group * Barton Hill litter picking group Get in touch to develop an event or project in your neighbourhood, find out what others are already doing, or to find out more about The Network. Contact info@thenetworkbristol.org.uk, find us on Facebook @thenetworkbris or pop in to Barton Hill Settlement for a cup of tea CARLA AND SARAH NETWORK COORDINATORS and a chat! www.upourstreet.org.uk

The Network Partners

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COuncillors Corner: taxis as part of our sustainable future

by Councillor Ruth Pickersgill

Before becoming councillors, we knew little about how taxis are licensed, but it is part of our Public Safety duties. In the 1990s, Bristol was at the forefront of disability equality work, and was one of the first Councils to ensure that all its Hackney Carriages (HCs) were wheelchair accessible. HCs are the Bristol Blue cabs which are licensed to pick people up from ranks. They use a regulated meter for all journeys within the city boundary, so their fares are strictly controlled. All other taxis are called ‘private hire’, run by a range of operators, and can’t be used unless the journey is pre-booked.

Taxis form a crucial part of our public transport system, but often get overlooked in planning for the future. Many older and disabled people rely on them and they are also used extensively for school runs for children with additional needs.

Bristol City Council has used its licensing policies to ensure that all our taxis will become low emission to improve air quality, and we are really proud to have our first electric HC on the streets, and to be building a new charging infrastructure.

Easton and Lawrence Hill Wards Local Councillors’ Drop-Ins 2019 If you have a problem with Council services or other local issues and wish to raise it in person with your local councillors, please come to one of our monthly drop-ins (no appointment necessary): Saturday 1pm - 3pm at: Easton Community Centre, Kilburn St, BS5 6AW 14 September, 9 November (Drop-ins for Easton ward residents only e.g. Easton, Greenbank, Whitehall and Redfield) Saturday 1pm - 3pm at: Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, BS5 0AX 12 October, 14 December.

(Joint drop-ins welcoming anyone from Easton ward and also Lawrence Hill ward e.g. Barton Hill, Old Market, The Dings, St Judes, Upper Easton and St Philips Marsh).

Ruth Pickersgill RuthEaston Pickersgill Easton (Labour) (Labour)

Afzal Shah Easton (Labour)

Hibaq Jama Lawrence Hill (Labour)

Margaret Hickman Lawrence Hill (Labour)

07584 480583

07775 026 384

0778 6732945

0778 3532216

cllr.hibaq.jama@ bristol.gov.uk

cllr.marg.hickman@ bristol.gov.uk

(no texts)

cllr.ruth.pickersgill@ bristol.gov.uk

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(text only)

cllr.afzal.shah@ bristol.gov.uk

Printed by Bristol City Council Labour Members’ Services

Up Our Street Autumn 2019

What many people also don’t realise is that Bristol has a really high standard for issuing taxi licences. All our drivers are DBS checked (to ensure they have no criminal records), and new drivers undertake a rigorous Gold Standard training which includes customer care, legal background, equality, safeguarding and a knowledge test. We also have our own ‘Taxicop’, Patrick Quinton, who works relentlessly to protect passengers and drivers.

Bristol taxi drivers face a number of challenges which the Council cannot influence, with changes to the market place and out of authority working in the City. Many of the drivers and operators live in our wards, many have English as an additional language or are refugees using driving as an important first stage in establishing a business or gaining an income. However, they may also face late night drunken abuse, and increasingly, racial abuse. Therefore, our role on the Public Safety Committee is to try and make sure the public are safe and are aware of their rights and that licensing standards are rigorous, but also that our drivers are treated respectfully. Going forward with the right policies, Bristol taxis must play a central role in achieving a sustainable, accessible and inclusive public transport system.

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Up Our Street Autumn 2019

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