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BRISTOL UPDATES NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS xxx
REDUCING THE IMPACT OF POVERTY Bristol’s only baby bank is asking for support due to a surge in demand as a result of Covid-19. Volunteer-run Baby Bank Network collects and re-distributes pre-loved items to women and children fleeing domestic and sexual abuse, families coming out of homelessness, refugees and low-income families. The charity – also in need of donations to buy items that cannot be re-used, such as cot mattresses and bottle teats – was helping almost 170 Bristol families every month before lockdown, supplying bespoke bundles of essentials to those who could not afford them. Then, incoming items stopped, fundraising events were cancelled and regular giving was reduced as families tightened their belts, and it became clear than an emergency response was desperately needed. “We help, on average, 40 vulnerable women and families every week and for us to stop our service meant many had to go without basic supplies,” said co-founder Becky Gilbert. “Naturally more families will need our help as more people are pushed towards poverty. These could be anyone; your neighbours, friends and family members. There is a huge backlog of referrals, we have reduced warehouse space due to distancing guidelines and our volunteer capacity is greatly reduced.” Donations of big-ticket items such as prams and cots are greatly appreciated; check the website and Twitter feed for up-to-date requirements. • babybanknetwork.com
THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH South Bristol Enterprise Support – a new service for local residents and businesses – launched over the summer for those looking to start a business, and existing businesses looking to grow. Bristol City Council is leading the partnership with Knowle West Media Centre, The Princes Trust, School for Social Entrepreneurs, and YTKO Ltd. Existing small and medium-sized enterprises and residents based in the area could be eligible for support from providers who have expertise in a range of areas including business training and mentoring, supporting young people in enterprise and digital manufacturing. The support offered includes pre-start up training packages, bursaries, access to workshops and digital manufacturing technologies at Knowle West Media Centre’s creative innovation space The Factory, plus support with product development, business coaching, a review of the business needs and specialist support. “Working collaboratively with key city partners is going to be vital to the recovery of Bristol, and SBES will help to help people from all walks of life who have brilliant ideas to turn them into thriving businesses,” said mayor Marvin Rees. Penny Evans, strategic lead for Knowle West Media Centre, The Factory, added: “We’ve been based in South Bristol for many years and we know that there is talent and creativity in abundance here – but many people haven’t had the opportunities or support to realise their ideas. We’re looking forward to supporting people who want to become part of a growing community of maker businesses – no previous experience of digital manufacturing or design will be required!” The project will support any sector of business but will include specialist advice for construction, digital and food businesses. It will also provide specific support for young people, social entrepreneurs and women. Plaster Creative Enterprise, a South Bristol based marketing business, is providing support to promote the project across South Bristol.
The defibrillator is now accessible to the public
Weston RNLI lifeboat station now has a publicly accessible heart defibrillator thanks to the generosity of the family of one of its previous crew, Brian Ward. A long-serving crew member at Weston RNLI station, Brian arranged for a defibrillator to be installed some time ago as, while volunteer lifeboat crew are highly trained in casualty care, a stopped heart needs more than sophisticated first aid. So that the station would be able to cope with cardiac arrest, Brian arranged with the British Heart Foundation, after some research, to acquire one. It was installed in the station but because it was not protected from vandalism it was placed inside the boathouse doors which meant it was only available when crew were in attendance. Brian sadly passed away in 2019 and a year later his family held a remembrance day, raising enough money for an external cabinet for the defibrillator – now fixed in place at the station on Knightstone Plaza so anyone who needs the defibrillator can use it to help save someone, even if the crew are not in attendance. “Brian Ward was a stalwart of our crew,” said Mike Buckland, lifeboat operations manager for the Weston crew. “He was always trying to help people, hence him arranging for the defibrillator to be acquired. His family have been tremendous in helping us fund the cabinet to make it publicly accessible.” • rnli.org
• sbes.org.uk
40 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
A LIFE-SAVING LEGACY
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SEPTEMBER 2020
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No 192
