www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Tel: 0117 954 2834 Post: Beacon Centre, City Academy, Russell Town Avenue Bristol, BS5 9JH contact@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Twitter: @upourstreet Facebook: Up Our Street Charity no: 1081691 Company no: 04023294 Business Development Officer Emily Fifield Tel: 0117 954 2837 Communications Officer Tamsin Harcourt Tel: 07903 089 002 Community Engagement Celia Davis (Mon-Wed) Patrycia Pinkowski (Thu-Fri) Tel: 07947 830 973 Finance and Office Manager Tracy Parsons Tel: 0117 954 2834 Manager Stacy Yelland Tel: 0117 954 2836 Chair of trustees Sally Caseley Deputy chairs Amy Harrison Dominic Murphy Trustee board Joyce Clarke Matt Fulford Thom Oliver Mike Pickering Noelle Rumball Ricardo Sharry Jane Westhead
Find out more on page 15 Up Our Street is printed on recycled paper with vegetable inks and can be composted. It costs 45p to produce every copy of Up Our Street. It is hand delivered to 14,000 homes in the local area. 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.
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Listen to Up Our Street on BCfm 93.2 and Ujima 98fm every Wednesday at 8.45am Follow us on Twitter @upourstreet or join our group on Facebook Inside this issue Up Our Street news………….……..…..…page 3 Neighbourhood Partnership………….page 4 Have your say……………….……….pages 5 to 6 Get involved……..…………………..pages 7 to 9 Working together…………......pages 10 to 11 Research team……………………………..page 12 Race Equality Manifesto………….…...page 13 2
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REPLICATE Project……………….…...page 14 Endowment Fund………..…..page 15 to 16 Food reviews………………..….……….page 17 Community news…..……...pages 18 to 19 Health news………………………..……page 20 Advertising…………….……...pages 21 to 24
www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
UP OUR STREET - People changing the world. One street at a time. As we go to print it’s still very dark and grey, but hopefully we will soon be seeing the signs of spring. It’s an uncertain time for many community organisations in the face of local authority cuts. Up Our Street will continue to support the communities of Easton and Lawrence Hill while finding new ways to raise funds for our work. However, there is definitely good news too. We’re delighted to say that we have had over 400 responses to our Wellbeing survey, so thank you to everyone who took part. We are busy
HAVE YOUR SAY 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 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 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.
looking at all the information you gave us and will have more about the results of the survey in the next edition. We are proud to work for local residents, and research like this helps us to make sure that we are representing your views. We are also really looking forward to not one but two Up Our Street events coming up in March. There’s Love Your Community on 4 March (p11) and the Festival of Solutions on 25 March (p19)
Since our last magazine, Cristina Crossingham (74) sadly passed away. Cristina lived in Easton for many years and had been volunteering with Up Our Street since 2012 first on a grant panel and more recently as a regular Chair at the Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Forums. She also volunteered with other projects locally, her main passion being the Easton Community Garden. The Up Our Street team all went to the memorial service to pay our respects to Cristina, and were all touched by how one life could affect so many. She was an Active Citizen to the end. Easton Community Garden is planting bulbs on 12 March in Cristina’s memory.
www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Up Our Street researchers will be working alongside University of Bristol to find out how course titles affect student choices. In mid-February Up Our Street is hosting a group of international visitors as part of our Bristol Council Active Citizens project. We’re looking forward to showing them our neighbourhood and will report back in the next edition! Congratulations to Steve Woods, Amy Harrison, Bruce Yates and Hannah Crudgington who will all be presented with Lord Mayor’s medals at a reception in March. They were nominated by Up Our Street. Up Our Street
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NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIP Contacts Gill Calloway Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinator gill.calloway@bristol.gov.uk 07901 104 347 Neil Burwell Neighbourhood Officer Ashley Easton and Lawrence Hill neil.burwell@bristol.gov.uk 07795 446 429
Neighbourhood Partnership What Next? Up Our Street has worked on the Neighbourhood Partnership with Bristol City Council since 2010. We run regular Neighbourhood Forums so that local people can have their say in decision-making. You may have heard about the cuts that Bristol City Council is making to a whole range of services. The original savings proposal was to close the Neighbourhood Partnerships on 31 March 2017. However, in response to feedback, Bristol City Council has agreed that Neighbourhood Partnership and Neighbourhood Forum meetings will be supported by council staff until at least June 2017. This is to allow communities time to find new ways of working together. This may be community-led neighbourhood partnerships where this is the best option, other areas might want to start again. Gemma Dando – Deputy Director of Neighbourhoods gave this statement “Many thanks for your continued
involvement in Neighbourhood Partnerships and for all of the valuable work that happens in neighbourhoods as a result of your enthusiasm and dedication. The levels of savings proposed in this area are absolutely not a reflection of the value of the work that is carried out in neighbourhoods, and we are dedicated to ensuring that this work can be supported in a different and lower cost way into the future.”
Over the coming weeks and months Bristol City Council wants to work with community activists, voluntary and community groups, councillors and partners to find community-led solutions. As we go to press there is an event planned for 4 February organised by Locality. Up Our Street is attending this event along with several residents from Easton and Lawrence Hill. We will report back in the next edition.
Both Gill and Neil have Facebook pages so do look them up.
Neighbourhood Forum Up Our Street runs the Neighbourhood Forum on behalf of Bristol City Council. Forums are held in community venues.
In December we held a Forum at Redfield Educate Together on the theme of education, where residents had the chance to put questions to local MP Thangam Inside Out West Debbonaire. Then in presents at the Forum January we looked at employment, particularly focussing on zero hours contracts and ‘bogus’ self-employment. If you have a community announcement, or something you would like to add to the agenda please contact Celia on contact@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk or 0117 954 2835.
FORUM DATES 8 March – Focus on Local High Streets 6.30pm to 8.30pm Hannah More Primary School, New Kingsley Road, BS2 0LT BBC documentary team may also be present 4
Up Our Street
4 May - Agenda tbc 6.30pm to 8.30pm St Marks Road Baptist Church Contact Celia for ideas or for details www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
HAVE YOUR SAY
With the communal bins removed, Up Our Street asked Bristol Waste how things are going on Stapleton Road: “The pilot removing the communal bins on
Stapleton Road and the surrounding area has largely been viewed as a success. Recycling has increased, refuse has decreased and the volume of illegally dumped waste has reduced. We at Bristol Waste would like to thank everyone who has been involved and helped us by giving feedback. Our plan is to extend the pilot and continue to give out the grey branded bags. We will also continue to focus on education and enforcement in relation to illegal bags of waste and other illegal fly-tipping.
Key Statistics Recycling up 17% Refuse down 44% Need for street cleansing down 49%* *mostly reduction in bulky items such as chairs and fridges.
Seymour Road before….
and after
If you see anyone placing illegal waste on the street please report it using the following website: https:// www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/flytipping or call 0117 922 2100. Please provide as much evidence as possible e.g. pictures, person description, vehicle number plates. If the pilot continues its momentum we will seek approval for it to be considered a long term service change. Please do get in touch with feedback on the pilot, including any ideas you have to get messages to anyone who is struggling to do the right thing with their waste.”
If you would like to be involved in getting these messages to the public, including giving out posters or letters or organising clean up days please contact Jessica at Bristol Waste on 0117 304 9022 or hello@bristolwastecompany.co.uk
By Kerry McCarthy MP “In the month since Thangam Debbonaire MP and I launched our campaign – supported by local residents, businesses, Cllrs Asher Craig (St George West), and Cllrs Ruth Pickersgill and Afzal Shah (Easton) – we have seen some progress made towards restoring Post Office services for the community in Redfield. Our petition, which calls for the six week consultation period to be expedited or scrapped, has already garnered the support of almost 1,000 people. Given the closure of Lloyds Bank last year, and the distance for elderly and disabled people to travel to Post Offices on Whitehall Road or Lawrence Hill, it is clearly essential that such vital services are restored as soon as possible. We launched our petition with a huge novelty post card, outside the now-closed Post Office – which has now been shut since early September. I have www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
also appeared on BBC Radio Bristol’s Breakfast Show to further highlight just how much Redfield needs a Post Office. A new location – in a decades old Church Road business – has been identified and the business plan is in the process of being submitted. While of course the potential operator must remain confidential while this process is completed, my office has met with them on a number of occasions and I am doing what I can to support them. They genuinely seem very committed to providing this service for the community. On behalf of everyone campaigning – I would like to thank Up Our Street for being at the launch and for sharing our petition in a recent newsletter, and all the local shops, cafes, restaurants, and faith groups who are hosting paper copies of the petition for people to sign.” Up Our Street
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HAVE YOUR SAY
By Councillor Ruth Pickersgill I was really happy last May when I was elected as one of the Labour Councillors for Easton (along with Afzal Shah), even more so, to be supporting Marvin Rees as our new Mayor. We were sure he would lead the city in a different way, and living in Easton, really understood the issues we faced. However, the realities of being a councillor in a city facing horrendous Government cuts, brought us all down to earth with a bump!
Having retired from full time work the previous summer, I was thinking this would be a good way to still make a difference, having a bit more time for myself and my family-first misconception! There are meetings in the ward, formal council meetings or case work to do every day, as well as hundreds of emails and calls. Councillors are not paid employees, but get a small monthly allowance to cover transport and other costs. In reality, I find am working more hours than I did before I retired. So what do councillors actually do? All of us sit on Full Council, where major decisions are made and we can speak, ask questions or put forward motions. We are also allocated to other committees to oversee council business. I am on Public Safety (which deals mainly with taxi licensing), and People Scrutiny (which looks at issues of education, social care and health). There are huge amounts of background paperwork to read (I find Coronation Street in the background helps), and so much to learn before you can make useful contributions. The worst thing about the role is the realisation that the lack of funding that the Government has given local councils means we have no choice but to cut
drastically even the most essential services. I found very quickly that councillors get a lot of case work from their surgeries, direct emails or community groups, and much of it is as a direct result of the impact of reduced services and overstretched council officers, so there is not always much we can do, except try to get the resident’s issue prioritised. I have become a women obsessed with fly-tipping, and most days I can be found taking photos of piles of rubbish to pass on! I love working with local people and getting involved in groups like Tidy BS5, Up Our Street or Easton Community Centre etc. trying to get things to change in the ward. All councillors campaign on issues their residents raise, like fighting for more affordable housing in the proposed development on the Chocolate Factory site, getting access improvements to local stations, and fighting to save local facilities like Post Offices and banks. The role can be fascinating, (I have found out all sorts about things I had no knowledge of, like sustainable drainage), frustrating (local bureaucracy is sometimes impossible to budge) , thankless (people often say they don’t see us in the ward, yet we are there working somewhere most days), but it is also a real privilege to champion all the amazing initiatives in the ward, celebrate our diversity, and to meet so many interesting committed local people. Contact Ruth on 07818422871 or cllr.ruth.pickersgill@bristol.gov.uk
Celia and Tamsin are live on BCfm every month with a special hour-long community show. The aim is to show all the great things that are going on in our neighbourhood. We have had interviewees from the Reuse Network, Feed the Homeless and many more great projects. Most recently Mohammed and Oceann came in to tell us about their award-winning breakfast club at Hannah More Primary school. They were natural broadcasters! Catch the Up Our Street show on the first Monday of the month at 2pm on BCfm. If you would like to appear on the show please call 0117 954 2834. 6
Up Our Street
Mohammed and Oceann in the BCfm studio www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
GET INVOLVED
When Up Our Street heard that Kurt James had been given the job of managing the Mayor’s Clean Streets campaign, we knew we had to go and ask him some questions. Kurt is no stranger to the problems of litter and flytipping, as a regular face at our Neighbourhood Forums in his previous job. Kurt grew up in Barton Hill and has been involved in work to improve the area for nearly 20 years. He has been chair of Barton Hill Settlement, and was one of the people involved in the successful campaign to bring £50m New Deal for Communities money to the area in the late 90s. He started the Clean Streets job in October last year. We asked Kurt to tell us a little about Clean Streets. “The Clean Streets Campaign is one of the Mayor’s priorities. He is committed to make the streets of Bristol measurably cleaner by 2020 and it’s my job to lead the campaign and deliver that pledge to the city of Bristol for everyone who lives and works here.” There are six key parts to the project:
Make Bristol measurably cleaner and tell people how we are doing. Provide a quality cleansing service. Support everyone to do their bit to make the city cleaner. Embed the campaign in Bristol culture. Ensure policies and measures are in place to support the campaign. Use enforcement where it is needed.
As Kurt says simply “If it’s cleaner, people like their areas more. It’s one less difficult thing to think about.” The campaign has targets around increasing recycling and reducing rubbish sent to landfill and Kurt is keen to stress that he wants to be open about what the targets are and what progress is being made. “At the moment we don’t really do that. We want to tell people this is where we start and this is where we want to get to. The plan that we have will help us to get there.” Kurt is working closely with the Bristol Waste Company, which is wholly owned by Bristol City Council. ”They clean 1,100 km of roads in the city, empty the bins of 195,000 households each week. It’s a big job. And there are some things that people notice they could do better, stuff getting left on the floor when they collect recycling for example. Part of what we need to do is tackle those issues because we can do better than this.” www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Kurt James But Kurt is also clear that the council can’t do this alone. “We know that there are lots of people out there already quietly doing this, arranging and doing litter picks in their community. We want to support people to do more of that. We can supply kit, guidance and publicity to say actually you’re not alone in wanting your area to be cleaner.” We also talk about the importance of enforcement: “We have an enforcement team and they’ve been doing a lot of work in places like Stapleton Road. It’s not just about handing out fixed penalty notices, we want to work with people to encourage them to do the right thing. However we are clear that if people still don’t, then they will be fined.” And finally, is he enjoying the job. He laughs “Lots of people have asked me that… Every job I’ve done up to this point has been about making a difference, and I feel like Clean Streets is a chance to make a real impact, so that’s what motivates me.”
Get involved! Great Bristol Spring Clean 3 to 5 March Get in touch with Up Our Street on 0117 954 2835 if you’d like to borrow litter picking equipment. You can also report flytipping anytime at www.fixmystreet.com Up Our Street
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GET INVOLVED
APE project is celebrating ten years this year. They’ve come a long way from a small grant to build one wacky spin-painting tricycle. We dropped in to meet founders Guy Dobson and Rachel Davies at the APE project’s current HQ in the White Factory at 18 Netham Road. The unit is packed with bikes, some being checked over in the workshop, and many more hanging neatly on racks arranged by size, just waiting for a new owner to ride them away. When they founded APE Project ten years ago Guy was a play ranger working for Playbus and Rachel was a studio artist and stay-at-home parent. From there they started working in schools, doing play work with their wacky bikes. “Parents were always asking for help with bikes, we could see there was a real need” says Rachel.
The APE project team in the workshop
paid apprenticeships. “For young people who come as paid apprentices we give them that opportunity for their career and personal development. It’s a “We sell or swap around 1,500 bikes a year” explains more in depth experience than a volunteering Guy “That’s the ethos of this, it’s not a normal bike placement. Some of them have stayed on with us, shop, it’s very much a community project. We others have gone on to work in mainstream bike provide very affordable bikes for families.” Prices shops.” start at just £5 for children’s bike, if you have an old one to swap, or £10 if you don’t. Bikes are donated So what are the plans for their 10th birthday? “We can’t say too much at the moment as we’re getting from community and the workshop checks them over, and does any repairs needed. APE Project also the funding in place, but we’ve got plans to celebrate in a green space in central east Bristol in helps the most vulnerable children in our community “Children are referred through to us by the late spring. We'll also be running free cycle maintenance sessions for young people in the NSPPC, Barnardos, Shelter and Refugee Action to Redfield and Barton Hill area from late February.” get a completely free bike.” Get in touch with APE Project on 07903 798 333 or The workshop is staffed by a paid supervisor who info@apeproject.co.uk looks after the volunteers and also young people on
Khalif Noor and Becci Rowberry from Bristol Best Tuition got in touch with Up Our Street to tell us about the work they are doing to help children from BAME groups achieve their potential at school. Khalif set up the organisation three years ago after becoming increasingly concerned that BAME children were falling behind at school. Becci is a qualified teacher and has been helping Khalif to manage the project for three years since it started. They now have over a 100 students with sessions Saturday mornings at Andalusia Academy and in after school sessions in Barton Hill during the week.
Students at Bristol Best Tuition
Classes are led by trained teachers and supported by a pool of 30-40 experienced volunteers. The organisation runs as a social enterprise, and is OFSTED regulated. It is open to children from all ethnic groups. Becci is always keen to hear from new volunteers. Donations of books and materials are always gratefully received too. One of the tutors said “I really enjoy inspiring the students to continue into higher education, and giving Khalif and Becci them an insight into the opportunities this can bring.” To volunteer please contact beccirowberry@gmail.com and for info about classes contact khalif@live.com 8
Up Our Street
www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
GET INVOLVED
Talking Money is an independent charity dedicated to improving lives by tackling financial problems. They have been providing free advice and support from the Old Market area for over 26 years. As well as paid members of staff they have a number of volunteers but would like to recruit more. Are you thinking of volunteering? As a volunteer with Talking Money you would either provide administrative support or support the caseworkers in their work with clients. You would be based in the admin, debt, energy or financial inclusion team. There’s more information on their website at www.talkingmoney.org.uk If you can commit to a day (or two ½ days) a week for a minimum of six months they would like to hear from you. Some of their clients are Somali speakers so they are particularly looking for Somali speaking volunteers as well. Contact vincent.finney@talkingmoney.org.uk for more information.
Helpfulpeeps is a new web platform designed to make it easy for people to help each other. The site was set up 18 months ago and now has over 10,000 members, mostly in Bristol. Co-founder Saf Nazeer says “It’s about old-fashioned helping each other. It’s those small things that make people feel part of a community”. The idea is simple, anyone can post a request for help and anyone can help out. No money changes hands. Charities and community groups can also use the site. Saf says it’s often a way for people to try out volunteering for the first time. Find out more at www.helpfulpeeps.com
Community SpeedWatch gives local people the ability to actively get involved in road safety in their neighbourhood. It is a traffic monitoring initiative that enables local residents to help educate road users about the impact of speed on their community. By helping to reduce speeds you can make your streets safer to walk, cycle and play.
Reg charity no. 1117939 Young and Free, is a “buddying” and befriending service for disabled young people with physical and sensory impairments aged 16-25 in the Bristol area. As well as group wide events in a range of locations they can also offer a social outlet on a 1:1 basis which is actively encouraged They do a range of activities including: Bowling Theatre trips Meals out Discos and quizzes All event costs are covered by the charity all we ask that people are friendly, dedicated and willing to help others. Contact Laura Whittle at Young and Free on 07468 524 364 or visit www.youngandfreecharity.co.uk www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
How does it work? Local residents volunteer a small amount of time each week to monitor traffic speeds with speed detection equipment. They record the details of any vehicle travelling over the threshold speed limit and report details to the police. The police will issue an educational letter to the registered keeper. Repeat offenders or recordings of high end speed will be flagged and targeted by the olice. Read more about Community SpeedWatch: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/csw How do I set up a Community SpeedWatch in my neighbourhood? Get in touch with your Neighbourhood Policing team via the website, or call 101
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WORKING TOGETHER
Stapleton Road Chapel celebrates its 150th anniversary in March. Up Our Street went to visit Mike and Keith, who are part of the congregation and have been involved with the church since they were boys in the 1950s. We went to find out about some of the history of the area, and what the church has planned for it’s big birthday. Mike explains the origins of the building “Castle Green Congregational Church ‘planted’ the church in 1867, there were no independent churches in the area at the time. Before they built on the current site they used the Vestry Hall in Pennywell Road, which is now apartments.” Newton Hall, was built first and then what was called the ‘schoolroom’, part of which is now used by Crisis Centre Ministries to run their drop-in services for the homeless.
Keith and Mike outside the Chapel
engineering firms Thrissell Engineering and Dorman. They remember seeing Mr Dorman the Chief Exec in his Rolls Royce drive through the factory gates each morning. Keith lived on Winford Street, a main thoroughfare for factory workers. “I’d see people running in and out of those doors at All funds were raised by the 1860s congregation, break time, lunch time, because they all lived local. showing that crowdfunding is maybe not such a new idea. “If you look at the old photos of the bible It’s very different, now people drive miles to work” study classes there were a huge number of There were far fewer cars in those days too, and supporters, people who grew up with this church.” Keith talks fondly of playing out in the street. “We says Keith. played football in the street and we were generally pretty boisterous, quite naughty I suppose!” As a In the early 1900s, Stapleton Road Chapel was the boy he grew up with the Sunday school and says church with the third largest congregation in Bristol, after Bristol Cathedral and St Mary Redcliffe. although he wasn’t always well-behaved at the Back then the church held up to 1,000 people, now time, he feels that the lessons he learnt there have stayed with him throughout his life. about 600. Mike recalls how he found a report in church records from the 1930s “There were so many To celebrate the 150th anniversary the Chapel is people trying to get into the church, the police had opening its doors to visitors on Saturday 4 March to come out and control the crowds!” from 10am to 2pm, so pop in for some tea and When Mike and Keith were boys the area around biscuits. Mike and Keith would also like to hear the church was much more industrial, with from people who have memories of the church.
We were excited to hear that Easton now has it’s own monthly repair café. This simple idea brings together people who want to learn to fix their broken stuff. All the fixers are volunteers. Rebecca, one of the Easton volunteers said: “Every time there’s a repair there’s a sense of excitement, especially with electrical goods. It’s the potential for something different.” After only two sessions so far, they have already Learning new skills at Easton Repair Café repaired clothes, a vacuum cleaner, several toys and the wobbly leg of a table that was going to be Easton Repair Café runs on the last Saturday of the thrown away. The group would love to hear from month at Café Connect on St Marks Road, from anyone who would like to share their fixing skills. 10.30am to 1pm. 10
Up Our Street
www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
WORKING TOGETHER
www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
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RESEARCH TEAM By Kuba Jablonowski, Research Manager at Up Our Street Everybody talks about wellbeing these days, but does it mean the same thing to everyone? According to policy and academic experts wellbeing describes how well we feel about ourselves and how well we function in the society. It is usually measured nationally to make comparisons between different areas, and so the same criteria are used to analyse the wellbeing of different people regardless of their culture or where they live. But what about local and minority perspectives? The wellbeing research project at Up Our Street is the result of thinking about wellbeing in a slightly different way, a way that is sensitive to the social and economic environment of Easton and Lawrence Zakiya collecting surveys at Wellspring Hill and gives voice to minority perspectives. We decided our research should be co-produced by there.” This remark was echoed by other residents people who understand the local area, and with a from minority ethnic groups, to whom diversity steer from local organisations. primarily meant closeness to their own Our method was simple. First, we chose nine communities. Still, the proximity of diverse ethnic locations, form the Dings to Whitehall and from groups living alongside was frequently described as Avonvale Road to St Mark’s Road. We went out with valuable in itself and seemed to facilitate a number digital recorders and asked people open questions, of interactions in shared spaces such as shops and starting with: what does wellbeing mean to you? cafés. Most also said they would like to see more Having done over 120 interviews in September we “activities that bring people together”. felt we had enough to go on and, based on And what did we learn? The full report will be residents’ responses, we available in the beginning of March, but we can designed a survey with already shed some light on our initial findings. the aim of reaching Research participants usually described wellbeing hundreds of as a state of being satisfied with one’s life and participants. To make environment, and of being connected with other sure all demographic people. They referred to five key themes: groups are represented, we knocked on doors in CONNECTIVITY: how people relate to one areas with low response another in a neighbourhood, and the quality of rates. We completed such interactions surveys in local ENVIRONMENT: including the natural as well as surgeries, gyms, built environment, and how people use it libraries, cafés, EMOTIONS AND VALUES: how people feel about community centres and themselves and others Ejaz and Jasmine drop-ins. As a result the LIVELIHOODS: the cost of things, from food to door-knocking survey well represents housing to transport, as well as investments coming our neighbourhood in into an area terms of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality and SERVICES: the amenities needed in everyday life disability. and their accessibility, run by both public and private providers Residents frequently described the area as special and cultural diversity was repeatedly mentioned as one of its main assets. Of course, people experience diversity in a number of ways. One resident told us: “I like Easton because the Muslim community here has facilities such as mosques and halal food shops... I used to live in Henleaze but didn’t like it 12
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You can find out more about the results of the Wellbeing Survey at the Up Our Street Festival of Solutions on 25 March. See page 19 for more details
www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
RACE EQUALITY MANIFESTO
Up Our Street reported on the launch of the Race Equality Manifesto back in our Summer 2015 edition. So we were keen to attend the follow-up conference on 16 January organised by the Bristol Manifesto for Race Equality steering group to hear how things have moved on since the launch. Asher Craig, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods opened the conference, declaring that the aim was to "put race back on the agenda". She addressed a packed audience of activists, community organisations and key agency staff including the police, city council and local universities. Alex Raikes, one of the vice chairs of the Manifesto steering group, gave a brief history of the Bristol Race Equality Manifesto. It had been 20 years since the police enquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence. "We wanted to create a manifesto on race equality that would be a living document, to galvanise people to action." Alex paid tribute to Batook Pandya who started the first work on the Manifesto.
Round table discussions include community voices in whatever structure was determined. Going forward the manifesto group will continue its focus on the key priorities of: employment, education, employment, criminal justice and mental health, cohesion and representation.
Norman Pascal closed the event saying "We need to remember the journey that we have already Alex said she felt that the sustained effort by many taken from the manifesto launch. Progress may be groups working together on the manifesto had slow, but it is being made." already started to have an effect. She pointed to the 2016 local elections, where more BME For a copy of the manifesto, please contact councillors were elected than ever before. Also that charlene@voscur.org or 0117 909 9949 last year's voter registration campaign had seen a definite increase in voter turnout in inner city Stop Press neighbourhoods. But she argued that "BAME In the days that followed the Race Equality communities cannot do this alone, we need to Manifesto conference, mobile phone footage was work with mainstream authorities.� shown on ITV news that appeared to show a 63 Despite the progress made in these areas, the key year old black man being tasered in the face by a message from all speakers was there was still a lot police officer. The officers mistook Judah Adunbi for another man who was wanted by the police. He of work to be done. This was particularly starkly shown by the statistics in the presentation from the was arrested and later released without charge. Mr Adunbi is a founder member of an organisation set Citywide Strategic Leaders group (a cross agency up to improve race relations with the police. group) who employ 55,000 people in Bristol. For example BAME people make up 16% of working In an interview with Channel 4 News Mr Adunbi age population, but only 9% of workers employed said "My community is multicultural. And my whole by the public sector. BAME staff are also twice as community is very concerned about this." At the likely to go through disciplinary procedures as time of going to press, Avon and Somerset Police their white colleagues. had voluntarily referred a complaint about this incident to the Independent Police Complaints After questions from the audience the meeting broke into working groups to discuss which areas Commission (IPCC). of the manifesto should be prioritised and whether The Bristol Manifesto for Race Equality steering there was a need for a Commission for Race group is working with others to seek ways forward Equality in Bristol. There was a sense that this to resolving some community tension which has should be established but with a clear need to arisen from this incident. www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
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REPLICATE
Advertorial
Over the next few years, people in Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill could trial new technologies to help them save energy and money, and explore new ways of travelling around, as part of the REPLICATE project. The project will research how smart technology could benefit local people and neighbourhoods. The trial aims to reduce energy use, rethink transport choices and use infrastructure, such as lampposts, in new ways. There will be plenty of opportunities for local people and community groups to get involved and shape the initiatives together. People are becoming increasingly familiar with If you’re interested in testing new technologies in smart technology thanks to smart phones and your home or community (or both!) visit smart energy meters. Smart devices can offer the www.connectingbristol.org/replicate for more user more features and control than standard information, to sign up to the e-bulletin and to devices, for example, a smart heating system could register your interest. There will also be be switched on and off using a smart phone. This workshops and events taking place in the area so technology has the potential to save people money keep an eye out for opportunities to get involved. on their energy bills, allow more effective use of heat and power at home, and to reduce our impact As a European project, REPLICATE is working closely on the environment. with our partner cities, Florence (Italy) and San Sebastian (Spain). These cities are testing different The REPLICATE project is looking for people to smart solutions and Bristol will learn from them and experience tomorrow’s smart technology today. share our city’s experiences. This will help us People in Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill can try understand which of the smart approaches could be the technologies and offer feedback to help the used across Bristol and in other European and world project understand what works. You don’t need to cities. know anything about smart technology to get involved as support will be given. In Bristol, the REPLICATE project is led by Bristol City Council working in partnership with the city’s Smarter streets – new ways of getting around. universities and seven other local partners. The There will be an electric bike scheme, an electric car project is funded by the European Commission, with club, and an electric taxi bus. These transport local partner organisations collectively receiving €7 options will be brought together in travel apps to million to deliver the project in Bristol. give you more ways to get around and make it easier for drivers to find a local parking space. Smarter homes – upgrade to smart appliances. Try internet connected appliances like smart fridges and washing machines. These manage their own energy consumption within preferences you set, and could save you money. Smart appliances will be available to a limited number of households, alongside other energy saving measures.
Find out more about REPLICATE at the Up Our Street Festival of Solutions When: 25 March Where: Easton Community Centre More details on p19
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement No 691735 14
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ENDOWMENT FUND
Funding Opportunity Would a small grant make a big difference in your community? Up Our Street has a small grant fund which is open to residents in Barton Hill, Newtown, The Dings, and some parts of Redfield and Lawrence Hill. It is also open to local community organisations to run projects which mainly benefit residents in this area.
The grant is called the Endowment Fund because each year we only spend the interest earned on the capital investment, this means that the fund will be available for many years to come, a lasting ‘endowment’ to the community.
Who can apply? The Endowment Fund is open to all residents who live in the area marked on the map on this page. It is also open to community organisations who run projects that benefit residents in this area.
What can the fund pay for? Residents can apply for up to £300 to pay for things like training courses, equipment to help start a business, 17-19 year olds can apply for help with driving lessons. Groups can apply for up to £1,000 to fund a range of activities that benefit residents in the Endowment Fund area. Below and over the page you can read about some of last year’s successful applicants.
For more information please contact Tracy at the Up Our Street office on 0117 954 2834 or download the forms from www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk Case Study: pedal parade workshops Phoenix 52 used the grant from the Endowment Fund to fund part of our community bike parade 'A Pedley Medley' in June 2016. The parade wound its way through Barton Hill and up to Netham Park on decorated bikes, buggies, trailers and hand made go-karts led by a samba band. The grant from the Endowment Fund enabled us to host a family workshop at In Bristol Studios, Barton Hill for local people to come along and decorate their bikes and buggies to take part in the parade. Participants were able to help decorate and build the larger floats and we commissioned the APE Project to bring their crazy bikes for a play session at Netham Park at the end of the parade. The funding was really important for the event as both the workshop and the crazy bikes session were totally free and open to all enabling anyone from the community to take part, meet new people, learn new skills and have some fun. "My son took part in his first carnival parade and it made me feel more a part of the Barton Hill community" - workshop participant. www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
Wacky bikes in Netham Park
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ENDOWMENT FUND continued... Case study: theatre workshops
Case study: Carole’s bingo club
Easton Community Children’s Centre received £1000 from Up Our Street’s Endowment Fund, allowing us to begin a partnership with DragonBird Theatre that runs from September 2016 through to July 2017.
Carole applied for a small grant to fund a Christmas party for her over 50s Bingo Club at Barton Hill Settlement.
“The club is really important as it means older people have a chance to get out of the house and socialise…. Everyone had a great time at the party, they didn’t want to go home!”
This partnership involves training for the staff to build their skills and confidence in storytelling, and monthly theatre and play sessions here for local children (age 0-5) and their parents/carers. Over 50 children have attended sessions so far and for many this has been their first experience of live performance. We are all having a fantastic time.
Thank you Up Our Street!
The Cold Homes Energy Efficiency Survey Experts project (or CHEESE for short) is a non-profit, community-based social enterprise that aims to reduce energy energy bills, improve health and wellbeing, and to help reduce carbon emissions. They do this by performing thermal-imaging surveys of domestic buildings to identify where heat is lost. The surveys are based on a methodology that has been developed by thermal imaging expert Brian Harper. He has discovered that draughts cause around one third of the energy used to heat homes, and most draughts can be remedied easily and at low cost; you just need to know where they are. The CHEESE project ran a pilot last year in which it conducted surveys of 60 homes across four wards of Bristol. The surveys benefited people of all ages and incomes, from first-time buyers keen to incorporate energy efficiency into refurbishment, to young families, those in fuel poverty, older retired people and the housebound. In Lawrence Weston ward, one 16
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Do you have a story idea for Up Our Street? Deadline for next edition is 13 April
Get in touch! Call Tamsin on 0117 954 2834 or contact@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
council tenant had been trying for four years to get the Council to remedy mould. His survey revealed that 40% of the roof was not insulated and none of the double-glazed windows closed properly and with this evidence he was finally able to get the Council to take remedial action.
CHEESE is expanding this year to do 200 surveys and they are taking bookings for surveys this winter, until March. These start at £60 for a flat, are £70 for a terrace house and increase in price depending on the number of rooms. Free surveys are available to low income households. For more information, visit the CHEESE website: www.cheeseproject.co.uk or email info@cheeseproject.co.uk. To apply for a survey, just fill out the form on the website: www.cheeseproject.co.uk/apply-for-a-survey. Also make sure to have a look at the Heatview map, at www.heatview.co.uk, where you might find a thermal image of your house! www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
FOOD REVIEWS
To celebrate the launch of their new Carib-Asian cookery book, Sherrie and Pat have given Up Our Street readers this tasty recipe. Sounds delicious! Spice Mince Potato Cakes 6 large potatoes mashed with a knob of butter and a little milk 1kg minced lamb meat 1 large onion finely chopped 1 chilli pepper finely chopped 3 garlic cloves finely chopped Handful of coriander For the pestle and mortar 3/4 cardamom seeds 2 cloves 5/6 pimento seeds 1 star anise 2 eggs whipped Breadcrumbs Oil for frying 1. Using a pestle and mortar, crush your cardamoms, cloves, pimento seeds and star anise. 2. Fry the crushed spices in hot oil 3. Add onion, garlic, coriander and all-purpose seasoning. 4. Add your mince to the spices and cook through for at least 10 minutes. Have a taste and add more seasoning if you need to. Set aside. 5. Season the mashed potato with lamb seasoning and mix thoroughly.
6. This bit will be messy but enjoy it nevertheless. Make a ball shape with the mash, make a hole and put a generous spoonful of mince inside. Close it up and repeat the process until the end. 7. Coat the cakes in egg wash and then breadcrumbs 8. Shallow fry the cakes until golden brown. Finish off in the oven if you want to.
Up Our Street went to visit Russell at Ground and Burst to try out some of his fresh healthy smoothies. He started up his coffee and smoothie shop seven months ago in a unit opposite Junction 3 Library. Russell has a background in public health and sees Ground and Burst as a practical response to some of the health issues he saw in his previous career.
Russell meets Pat at Ground and Burst
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As well as selling smoothies, Russell is also keen to run a range of community events at the Ground and Burst shop. He’s already made links with the nearby boxing club and local schools. We enjoyed a carrot cake version of one of Russell’s Cake Shakes, which was a tasty mix of carrot, walnut, orange and honey. Find Ground and Burst at 138 Lower Ashley Road. Open 10am to 3.30pm Contact Russell on 0117 939 2990 Up Our Street
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Bristol Water is working on a £3 million project to renovate the water main that stretches from Victoria Pumping Station in Clifton to Greenbank Cemetery. This main, which is in parts 150 years old, services households and businesses across Cotham, St Paul’s, Lawrence Hill and Easton. The first stage of this work, from Oakfield Road to St Paul’s roundabout, has been completed. The second stage which stretches from Easton Way to Greenbank Cemetery will begin this month. Bristol Water will be using a slip-lining technique (pushing a new main through the old one) to minimise disruption, but at some points traffic management will be required.
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Up Our Street
It may be necessary to isolate customers’ supply for short periods of time during this work, but advance warning will be given. Bristol Water spokesperson Alison Jennings said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank residents in advance for their patience while we carry out this essential and important work.” To find out more visit: https:// www.bristolwater.co.uk/eastonmain.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Easton and Lawrence Hill
Free film screenings
Festival of Solutions 2017 Saturday 25 March 11am to 6pm Easton Community Centre #UpOurStreetFest Together with Knowle West Media Centre we are taking over Easton Community Centre for a series of talks, workshops and a sharing of ideas about how to make our neighbourhood the best place now and into the future.
25 March, 3pm Easton Community Centre
Our world is changing and we need to work together now more than ever. Be inspired to create change where you live. Booking essential for this free event - priority goes to Easton and Lawrence Hill residents. Sign up to our ebulletin or call 0117 954 2834 to book your place.
26 March, 7pm The Pickle Factory latest news is that we are now also seeing a correlation between some burglaries and a certain type of door handle. Some paddle and stub handles I am Hayley Bickford, a Police often give the home owner the impression that their door is locked but unless the key has been turned in Community Support Officer in your area. I have worked in many cases the door is merely on a catch and can Easton for over 10 years. I am easily be opened by unscrupulous and opportunist thieves. hoping to make a regular contribution to Up Our Street We continue to support the local schools in the providing the community Easton and Lawrence Hill area and regularly patrol with information on safety, the area outside the school at drop off and pick up crime prevention and what’s been happening in your times and deal with any issues. We are working with area. Easton Community CafÊ on St Marks Road and we will be regularly available for an informal chat, look Over the past few months our statistics show that out for us there, meet the team and contribute to one quarter of the burglaries in the force area are due to insecure properties. It may sound like stating community policing priorities for your area. You can also follow us on twitter @ASPEaston or contact us the obvious, but locking up and shutting windows by calling our non-emergency number 101. can go a long way to keeping the burglars out. The www.eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk
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HEALTH NEWS For the last twelve months The Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service (a partnership between Alzheimer’s Society and Devon Partnership NHS Trust) has been consulting with members of the Somali community about how to make dementia services in Bristol more accessible. Whilst the findings are being analysed, listed below are the five most frequently asked questions about dementia during the consultation: What is dementia? The word dementia describes a group of symptoms that may include memory loss, difficulties with planning, problem- solving or language and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour. Dementia is NOT a natural part of aging.
What should I do if I think I, or someone close to me has dementia? You can either visit your GP or contact the Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service (see details below). The diagnosis process can include taking a history of symptoms, a set of memory tests, and/or sometimes a brain scan.
What causes dementia? Dementia occurs when the brain is damaged by a disease. In the same way that any other organ can be damaged by disease e.g. kidney disease, liver disease, or heart disease. There are many known causes of dementia. The most common is Alzheimer’s disease. This changes the chemistry and structure of the brain, causing the brain cells to die. The first sign is usually short-term memory loss. There are over a hundred different types of dementia, including vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies and fronto-temporal dementia.
Where can I get support from? The Dementia Wellbeing Service brings together a whole range of professionals who work with GPs, other health professionals and other partners across Bristol to support people with dementia and their carers. It creates personalised wellbeing plans with the person with dementia at its heart, providing support, guidance and help when, and where, people want it, and in a way that suits them.
Is there a cure for dementia? There is no known cure for dementia, but there are ways to help with symptoms and make life better at every stage. All kinds of dementia are progressive, which means the symptoms gradually get worse over time. How quickly this happens varies from person to person and many people stay independent for years.
This area of Bristol is a great place to live, but unfortunately more people in this area die of cancer than in other parts of the city. This is partly because people in this area do not take-up screening opportunities that can detect cancer in its early stages, particularly bowel cancer.
If you already have a diagnosis of dementia, or care for someone who does, please contact them via their Access Point. If you do not have a diagnosis, or are having problems with your memory, you can access the service through your GP. The Dementia Wellbeing Service Access Point line on 0117 904 5151. It is open 8am to 8pm from Monday to Friday. You can find out more about the Dementia Wellbeing Service online by visiting www.bristoldementiawellbeing.org He said he had no problems with the kit and found it easy to use: “I sent back the first test straight
away, as I always do, but was asked to complete another when they found a trace of blood. After the second test I had a number of polyps removed and tested and they came back as cancerous.” Peter had surgery. The cancer had not spread and he did not need any further treatment. I feel very
As part of the country’s NHS Bowel Cancer lucky indeed that my cancer was caught early. Screening programme, everyone aged 60-74 should Friends tell me they can’t believe how easy it all receive a small package in the was.” post once every two years. In So, if you get one of these the box is a very simple and packages through your door, easy-to-use kit that can be used don’t ignore it: it could save in the privacy of your own your life. home. For more information, go to Peter, a retired council worker, www.nhs.uk/Conditions/bowelhad not experienced any bowelcancer-screening/Pages/ related symptoms prior to Introduction. completing the screening test. 20
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ADVERTISING
Advertise in Up Our Street Reach 14,000 households in Easton and Lawrence Hill and support your local community magazine.
Bristol's multi-award winning radio station, BCfm 93.2, celebrates its 10th birthday in March.
Contact Tamsin on 0117 954 2834 for 2017 rates
Join us as we host 10 special events and a series of smaller fringe events around inner city Bristol from comedy to debates and from art to music, culminating in a party on March 26th.Line up and dates TBA Check BCfm Facebook page for updates
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ADVERTISING
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