This is the VCSE Directory, a comprehensive listing of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations in the Bristol area. If you don't see your own organisation listed, you can add your organisation to our directory.
Accelerating transition to sustainable and community owned energy
Bristol Energy Network is an umbrella for all community energy groups and projects in Bristol and the surrounding area. Activities of the network include promoting and implementing renewable energy such as solar, reducing energy use through behaviour changes and house improvements (eg insulation) and addressing fuel poverty by helping low income households manage energy bills (eg electricity and gas) and access grants. This post is funded by Bristol City Council through a grant to support... More
Bristol Epilepsy Support Group offers people whose lives are affected by epilepsy a chance to get together and discuss the issues that matter to them. Set up in 2007, our meetings include talks as well as somewhere to chat in a relaxed atmosphere. Speakers are usually professionals in the field, but in each case their aim is to share their experience to help face the challenges that epilepsy can create. We also organise social and fund raising events for members. However, the underlying... More
We work in Bristol to promote Fair Trade & raise awareness of unfair trade, to benefit producers in developing nations.
The Bristol Folk House is an adult education centre providing a variety of part-time day and evening courses and workshops for over 18's. The Folk House provides a welcoming environment in which to explore your creativity and learn new skills.
Bristol Food Network informs and connects all those working towards making Bristol a Sustainable Food City.
Bristol Friends of the Earth have been helping people to run environmental campaigns since 1971. We are part of a network of more than 200 local groups across the country. We campaign on local and national environmental issues that affect Bristol and the surrounding area, drawing together people from all walks of life to protect out environment and improve our quality of life.<br><br>Current campaigns include:<br>Aviation: campaigning against Bristol... More
As an organisation we provide education for children who are too ill to attend mainstream school. Our pupils are referred to us by Consutlants on the basis of both medical conditions and mental health issues.
We have facilities to teach children both on hospital wards and with one to one tuition. Our department here at Embleton provides education for those well enough to progress on from home tuition and attend daily learning with us here in Embleton groups.
We provide homes for homeless destitute asylum seekers, either in people's own homes or in a larger shared house which we run. We have destitution fund so people with no access to other funds can have £10 a week. We run a small social enterprise to help fund our work.
We got permission to register the marriag according to english law.But people also want the ceramoney according to sikh faith,we make this arrangments,also make arrangments for the reception of marriage party,which can be up to 400 hundred people. WE also arrange the Sunday congregation,Seventy to ninty people attend that. School children,s party come here,quit often to learn about sikh faith and our tradion, police trainee come here for the same thing. We also teach punjabi language and... More
To support the twinning link between Bristol and the capital of Georgia Tbilisi. Developing friendship links and projects, cultural, educational, economic, civic etc
Bristol Islamic Schools Trust (BIST) runs Andalusia Academy Bristol which is a full-time school teaching the National Curriculum, in an Islamic environment. Our aim is to provide high quality education which competes with the elite independent schools of Bristol but at a fraction of the fees. Arabic language and Islamic studies are also taught. The Andalusia Academy contains a primary school for boys and girls, and also a secondary school which is currently for girls only, but a boys... More
Support projects in South Bristol - parenting classes, community cafe, food bank, and more
The law centre provides a free, specialist legal advice and advocacy service for unwaged and low paid people as well as people experiencing unlawful discrimination. We can provide representation at court and tribunals. We offer a consultancy service for other advice agencies/organisations. We give legal advice to community groups. Our advice is free and confidential and we prioritise issues of discrimination. We welcome referrals from other agencies. We have a number of specialist... More
Bristol Link with Beira (BLB) facilitates the civic link between the cities of Bristol and Beira.
Our vision is to promote city to city networks and to identify links between ideas and opportunities that bring about sustainable exchange between Bristol and Beira.
Our core values are partnerships, sustainability, equality, participation, empowerment and accountability.
Our current project strategy is based on facilitating partnerships between organisations in Bristol and... More
Open access drop-in centre particularly for homeless and anyone in need. It provides basic services to sustain people's daily living and opportunities of support, development in classes, groups adn leasure. It is a Christian-based project but open to all and seeks not to discriminate.<br>Drop-in Monday, 1.15-3.30pm; Tuesday to Wednesday 10.-3.30pm; Thursday 10-2.30pm; Sunday 3-4.45pm.<br>Men and Women aged 16+<br>Free meals (Tues/Wed/Thurs 12.30... More
BMFF provides a joint voice for the faith communities in Bristol, enabling them to speak to the council, employers and other organisations in the city about matters of common interest; it also provides a way for the city ot communicate with and consult with the faith communities. We have regular open forum meetings and arrange special interest events as required.
Further the economic, educational, recreational, cultural and social needs of our community and support their integration into mainstream society as well as support interested stakeholders.
Currently our work is broadly spread across 5 areas:
Advice, advocacy, information and support; Community Development; Young People; Cultural awareness and Media Events and features
We are a membership organisation led entirely by older people. We build on the strengths of our membership, using the skills, knowledge and experience of older people to create new ways of working. We work closely with other organisations to meet the needs and concerns of older people across Bristol.
Our aim is for every older person in the city to be an equal, valued and participating member of the community, able to influence policy and decision-making, challenge ageism and promote... More
We actually promote groups to enter a Stage 1 Festival of One Act Plays as part of The All England Theatre Festival which takes place the second week in February annually. The winner then goes forward to the next stage. The winning youth entry goes on to the Five Counties Youth Festival
BOA facilitates the link between Bristol and Oporto on a wide range of fronts, both for Bristolians interested in Porto and Portugal and for the Portuguese community that is resident here. A regular programme of Events is arranged. By way of example, past events have included films, fado and Portuguese guitar, performing arts, jazz concerts, quiz evenings, barbecues, Portuguese poetry, choirs, dinners, wine tastings and anything with a Portuguese flavour. These are published on our website... More
We are a friendly group of parents who care for children and young people with disabilities and special needs in Bristol. Our goal is to work in partnership with authorities in Bristol to shape the services provided for our children and ourselves. With the help of all parents these initiatives are more likely to be successful in bringing about positive changes for parent carers and their children living in Bristol.
Bristol Pound CIC is a non for profit partnership with Bristol Credit Union. We run a local currency scheme that supports the local economy and independent businesses.
We organise a wide variety of walks, both in the city and countryside and cater for walkers of all abilities. Each four-month programme has over 70 walks, from 5 to 20 miles. We walk in the country areas within easy reach of Bristol, including the Mendips, Cotswolds, Malverns, Quantocks, Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. These walks are led by knowledgable people. We have day walks on Sundays, Saturdays and Wednesdays year round, with evening walks on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the summer.... More
Gives a voice to disadvantaged groups, especially in shaping their communities and the services they use
Run a programme of events to raise awareness, bring communities together and celebrate the contribution of refugees to city.
Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to provide caring and confidential emotional support to anyone who may be experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that may lead to self harm or suicide, irrespective of the person's age gender, sexuality, ethnic background or religious beliefs. Our trained volunteers believe being listened to on total confidence and accepted without prejudice or being judged can alleviate these feelings. We also believe everyone has the right... More
To preserve our (horti)cultural heritage and the biodiversity of our crops and flowers.
To spread knowledge of the issues around seeds, loss of heritage varieties and the control of our food supply by mega corporations.
To encourage and help people skill up so they can save seeds properly so they breed true.
To make gardening as cheap and rewarding as possible,
To make gardening, and especially food growing, accessible to all.
To build a co operative, inclusive... More
Hire out manual or powered wheelchair s and scooters to enable people with a mobility impairment (temporary or permanent) to access the city centre areas for shopping, sightseeing or business. You can also arrange long term hire of equipment.
The Somali Resource Centre (SRC) is a project that provides services for the local communities especially (the hard to reach) communities. Volunteers previously ran it but in February 2008, it received funding from CAH to continue its work. The centre has a management committee of 12 overseeing the staff. The SRC offers support, advice and guidance to the Somali community in the area. It also offers a space for the community to meet and undertake training and to find out how to access... More
- Support Tigraians in and around Bristol
- Support young Tigraians through mentoring
- Support individuals who are new to the country
- Provide activities to alleviate any sense of isolation
- Crease a safe space where people can meet new people and make friends
Bristol U3A (Bristol University of the Third Age) was started in 1983. We are a "university" in that we cover a universe of interests including Science, Art, Computing, Philosophy, History, Languages, Music, Mathematics, Walking and Textile Skills as well as a variety of games like Whist, Scrabble, Bridge and Mah Jong. Unlike a university we have no entry qualifications and, better still, no examinations. The total emphasis is on self-help education and social activity in the... More
Our goal is to make women’s equality a reality in Bristol. We do this through campaigning, connecting, and celebrating.
At Woodcraft Folk we believe passionately in equality and co-operation – everyone is welcome to join our groups.
Every week thousands of volunteers and young people meet in school halls, community venues and a host of other places to learn about big ideas through fun activities like singing, playing and debating.
Our aim is to have great fun, but also to try and develop children’s self-confidence and build their awareness of society around them.
Through our activities,... More
Bristol Zoological Society is a conservation and education charity which runs Bristol Zoo Project.
We save wildlife together, through conservation science research, working to protect species and habitats overseas, encouraging sustainable behaviours and perceptions, educating tomorrow’s wildlife warriors and connecting people with nature through a great day out.
Our conservation science efforts are worldwide, from helping to re-introduce white-clawed crayfish into UK rivers to... More
The British Lung Foundation is the only UK Charity working with everyone affected by lung conditions. We support peole affected by lung disease through their individual challenges they face. We help people to understand their condition by providing comprehensive and clear information on paper, on the web and on the telephone. We work for positive change in lung health by campaigning, raising awareness and funding world class research. We run a network of patient support groups called... More
The British Polio Fellowship is a national organisation, see the www.britishpolio.org.uk web site. "The British Polio Fellowship is a charity dedicated to helping, supporting and empowering approximately 120,000 people in the UK living with the late effects of Polio and Post Polio Syndrome (PPS), a neurological condition. It provides information, welfare and support to those living with the effects to enable all to live full independent and... More
We are renowned as a provider of high quality housing, care and support for older people in the South West.
We provide a variety of services that help people to stay living in their own homes.
Our purpose built care homes provide an attractive and comfortable environment for specialist nursing and dementia care.
We are widely recognised for our expertise and excellence in caring for people living with dementia, and supporting their families.
Community-led wildlife group with the aim to inspire and empower the community to become green space custodians by:
• Improving habitats,
• Monitoring wildlife, and
• Spreading the word by raising aware of our wildlife at a neighbourhood level!
The SCDA is a membership organisation and exists to provide resources, facilities and expertise locally to improve the quality of life for the local community in the Bedminster/Southville area of South Bristol. This it does by networking with and forming partnerships with other local organisations and through the Southville Centre, a major community asset managed by SCDA. Services directly provided include childcare, work with socially isolated older people, cafÈ and catering. The Centre... More
Business in the Community is the main employee volunteering programme in the U.K. Employees give their time and skills to local charitable and not-for-profit organisations free of charge to help the communities in which they live and work.
You can get help through the Cares programme, which provides free make-over's for your premises or gardens, and ProHelp or Skills Bank with employees, including lawyers, architects , HR, business development, etc. who give their time and... More
Calling The Shots, established in 1998, is a video production company that specializes in working with and for the community development and education sectors. We produce training and promotional films for charities and community-based organizations. We also offer training services, working with young people and other groups to support them to produce their own video programmes. We produce web-based projects and offer documentation services for events. Recent clients include Bristol and... More
CPRE Avonside campaigns on issues that affect our area including housing, transport, energy, local food and farming. We promote efficient land use that helps retain green spaces and develop good quality well designed buildings that improve the quality of life for both urban and rural dwellers.
Careers4Change is a specialist recruitment consultant, connecting purpose driven individuals with innovative organisations that are delivering on social change - working with Power To Change for example
The Carers’ Support Centre provides a range of support services for unpaid carers. These include, but are not limited to Carersline, a telephone service which provides information and advice and acts as a referral point to services within the centre and outside agencies. There is one-to-one support and advocacy available to suit the individual needs of carers in both Bristol and South Glos. Each year the Centre holds events which coincide with the national carers week and our annual meeting... More
Services we are offer are:
Personal Hygiene Care,
Physical Disability,
24hr Care/Night Sits/Sleeps,
Dementia Care,
Call in/Companionship,
Respite Cover,
Medication Assistance,
Domestic Help,
Food Preparation & serving,
Hospital Discharge,
Light Gardening Duties,
Transportation Service,
Pet Care/Walking/Feeding
Caring in Bristol is creating a city empowered to solve homelessness. It works in creative and imaginative ways with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with the public and with community partners, to bring about lasting change in Bristol and beyond. We believe that homelessness is not inevitable. Our work provides early support to halt homelessness in its tracks, helping people to move away from a crisis.
We support young people who have experienced a homelessness crisis... More
We currently offer creche, pre-school and day school children. We also offer youth diversionary facilities through work with a local school and sport training, a Friday evening youth meeting and engagement teams working on the streets of Brislington. Moving through the age groups, we offer marriage advice and sessions on how to come to terms with divorce and grief. We also provide debt management assistance. We run a weekly food bank.
inspires, empowers and skills girls and young women for sustainable futures
Therapy for adopted and fostered children
The Centre for Capacity Building & Enterprise Development (CCBED) is a Bristol based social enterprise dedicated to training and development. We are currently set up to deliver SFEDI accredited and specifically designed courses that cater for the needs of under represented groups in society e.g. migrants, disabled, older people and the unemployed.
We provide a free equipment and installation service for anyone with a registered hearing loss living in Bristol.
We are a national charitable company, established in 1979, that shares our knowledge and experience to help people change to way they think and act on energy. We have a staff of over 40, and work on some 60 different projects at any one time. We are funded by more than £2 million a year from a range of governmental, charitable and private sector funds and clients.