A More Connected & Welcoming Bristol
We all want to live in safe and supportive communities. Places where we are welcomed with a smile, our families can play and explore freely, and as neighbours we look out for each other. Streets where everyone feels valued, and where differences make us stronger rather than setting us apart.
But not all of us feel we belong in our neighbourhoods. Some feel unsafe, perhaps experiencing prejudice or even hate crime. And it seems that people from different backgrounds don’t always get on well together. (Bristol Quality of Life Survey 2024/25)
Things came to a head last summer, when we saw violent disorder spread across the UK impacting cities and towns including Bristol, centered on issues of migration and how we respond to people who are seeking sanctuary in this country.
This can change. Together, we can create communities where we know and trust our neighbours, where we care for each other, and where we all feel we have a place.
5 steps to more connected and welcoming neighbourhoods.
Bristol City of Sanctuary, Bristol Refugee Festival, and Bridges for Communities are working with community groups, schools, cafes, visitor attractions, GP surgeries, arts organisations, and places of worship all across Bristol.
And we would love to work alongside you to see your neigbourhood become more connected and welcoming.
Which step would be a good fit for your community?
Choose a Step
Take a look at the steps and select one that looks a good fit for your community. You don’t have to just choose one though! And you can climb up or down the steps, skipping ones that may not work for you.
Peace Feast
Lets put on a feast together to connect and celebrate your local community.
Sharing Food at Redcatch Community Gardens
Mike helped to create a beautiful community gardens in Knowle, ‘a place where community comes to grow’. Bridges have partnered with the Redcatch team each year since 2022 to put on a Peace Feast and bring people together from different backgrounds. We share good local food, live music, and great conversations.
“It was great to meet lots of people from our community”
“I had quite a few conversations with different people and learnt about their experiences”
“I wasn’t expecting to experience the depth of connection to those I spoke with that I did – I found that moving and inspiring!”
“I am always amazed by the people who have lived here their entire lives and what they do for the community”
Welcome Chats
Would you value a conversation about how your neighbourhood can welcome refugees and asylum seekers?
Celebrating Sanctuary Local
How would you like to celebrate with refugees and asylum seekers in your community?
Listening Spaces
We can hold space for communities to have difficult conversations.
Place of Sanctuary
Helping schools, GP surgeries, arts organisations, and places of worship to become places of sanctuary.
In addition to the activities above, we may also be able to provide training for you or your organisation as you help people thrive in our interconnected city. Get in touch if you’d like to explore our training programmes such as Developing Cultural Awareness, Creating Places of Welcome etc.
Contact Us
If you would like to explore how we can partner to see your community become more connected and welcoming, then get in contact with us via email.
bristol.cityofsanctuary.org bristol@cityofsanctuary.org
bristolrefugeefestival.org communityengagement@bristolrefugeefestival.org
bridgesforcommunities.com info@bridgesforcommunities.com
A partnership between
Bristol City of Sanctuary, Bristol Refugee Rights, and Bridges for Communities, are partnering together to build trust and community cohesion across Bristol.
With support from
This work is supported by the Bristol City Council and Quartet Community Foundation through the Bristol Community Recovery Programme.
