BRISTOL UPDATES

NEWS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS

South West broadband provider’s growth skyrockets in year-to-date figures

Truespeed, the independent broadband provider, has reported a storming start to 2023. The Bath-based full-fibre broadband provider has extended its footprint by 25 per cent in the first five months of the year, now offering ultrafast broadband to 75,000 properties in the South West. The figures demonstrate a 364 per cent growth in Truespeed’s network rollout, in comparison to the same period last year. The provider has connected more than 15,000 customers across the region, an increase of 15 per cent and employing 270 local team members. This significant increase has been driven by the company’s investment in full-fibre infrastructure in the region. Truespeed has continued, at pace, to build and own its proprietary network across the region, offering an independent local alternative to the big household-name broadband providers.

The news of the network’s expansion in the early part of 2023 comes as Truespeed is ranked 53 in the ORESA Growth Index, which lists the top 100 fastest growing businesses in the UK. Hitting these considerable milestones so early in the year puts Truespeed’s rollout on target to meet the company’s ambitions to double its network footprint and customer numbers in 2023.

Truespeed offers broadband packages starting from 150 Mbps and guaranteed speeds as fast as 900 Mbps. The average home internet speed in the UK is less than 60 Mbps3. However, full-fibre broadband isn’t just about the speed; as every home has its own fibre connection, the service is more reliable, upload and download speeds are consistent and there’s greater capacity to handle the needs of multiple connected devices using the network simultaneously.

• For more information and to register your interest in receiving full-fibre broadband visit: truespeed.com or call the customer service team on 01225 300370

Use your savings as a force for good

If you’re seeking to be more environmentally friendly, it’s worth considering the impact your savings can have. One positive and impactful option is to invest in renewable, community-owned energy. With the launch of their new share offer, Bristol Energy Cooperative aims to bring people together to tackle the climate emergency and the energy crisis.

The not-for-profit organisation is seeking to raise £1 million to develop more green, clean energy projects across the region, at speed. It’s not only BEC’s members that gain from a return on investment. Over the past 10 years, the cooperative has channelled over £350,000 of community benefit payments into local sustainability initiatives, such as community gardens, education and biodiversity programmes. Also, community spaces such as Easton Community Centre and Knowle West Media Centre have benefitted from cheaper energy rates thanks to the solar installations by BEC, meaning they have more funds to spend on their vital services.

The cooperative currently has 1,500 members, and is looking to grow and diversify its membership to help create a just energy transition. Anyone can invest in BEC’s withdrawable shares, from as little as £100. Investors are projected to receive a 5% annual return. The share offer is open until 17 July 2023.

• For more information please see: bristolenergy.coop/share-offer-2023

Woodland walks to help cope with bereavement

Bristol Memorial Woodlands has partnered with Cruse, the UK’s leading bereavement charity, to organise regular bereavement walking groups. Cruse bereavement volunteers will guide people coping with grief around the woodlands, near Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, so they spend time in a therapeutic natural environment, enjoying nature and exercise.

Bristol Memorial Woodlands provides an alternative funeral venue where families have time and space to celebrate a loved ones passing with a half day or whole day funeral service. Burials and ashes interment is in an area that is being transformed into a natural woodland protected for the future by a charitable trust that will maintain it.

• Anyone wishing to take part should contact Cruse at: cruse.org.uk/postcode-lookup