Supporting Voluntary and Community Action
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.
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
BWV aims to provide a poweful voice for women, make women's equality in Bristol a reality. We aim to make sure that when key decisions are taken, women's voices have been listened to and their ideas ans concerns acted on. We will bring together women to share ideas, exchange experiences, support campaigns and events and celebrate success. We will inform women abour organisations that provide support and advice and help women set up their own support networks. By acting together we... More
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
The British Red Cross is a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.
We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities.
And when the crisis is over, we help people recover and move on with their lives.
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
BYEP CIC provides professional services to enable young people from deprived backgrounds achieve in educational attainment, career pursuit and social wellbeing. The organisation has a unique ability to understand, effectively engage and adapt enterprise/employability learning to suit the socio-cultural environment of young people from BME communities.
As a social enterprise, BYEP CIC deliver services/activities such as innovative events, workshops, bespoke support programmes 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
<br>Caring at Christmas runs the emergency shelter for the homeless over the Christmas week. We provide three hot meals a day have 50 beds and put on as many entertainments and services as possible. Through out the year we continue are work of helping the homeless. Caring at Christmas produces the Bristol Survival Handbook. A valuable pocket-sized resource which provides details of accommodation, day centres, food, health, advice and support, and training and employment In... 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.
Cerebra are a UK Children's Disabilities Charity supporting children up to 16 who are have a learning disability or neurological condition. Cerebra offers a range are services that are available to disabled children and their familes. There is no cost for these or indeed for membership.
Services include our National Helpline, Grants Scheme, a Postal Lending Library (inc. Sensory Toys), Free Information Events and Literature, a Sleep Advisory Service, Personal Portfolio Service (... More
Cerebral palsy plus is a Bristol based charity for those with cerebral palsy, their families and carers. We are committed to providing high quality, timely information and confidential support to the cerebral palsy community of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
mens mentoring company for males in education and beyond
Changes Bristol is a mutual help and support group for people of the greater Bristol Community who are affected by mental health problems. Using a twelve step program that fosters a therapeutic environment, Changes holds group sessions in which participants can share problems while receiving support and learning from one another. We encourage our participants to use our methodology to make meaningful changes for improved long term mental health.
Changes provides a safe environment... More
Operates a number of retail spaces to raise money to support our Volunteer Plus programme. This scheme is designed to help and support people who have experienced trauma - which may have led to addiction, offending, homelessness etc. - to gain non-paid work experience and receive mentoring support in order to help them find hope and a future.
The Association operates to support charitable aims in the Chaplin Community Garden in Easton. It is currently applying for registration as a charity, with the following objects:
(1) To advance community development and social cohesion for all residents local to Chaplin Community Garden in the Easton district of Bristol by enhancing the Garden’s relevance and presence through a process of ongoing enhancement.
(2) The promotion of mental health and wellbeing for local community... More
We provide HR advice, support and organisational development consultancy to VCS organisations. We provide a full service from recruitment through to retirement and everything in between. We also support organisations through support to Boards via training on a wide range of governance issues.
We have delivered training for VOSCUR over a number of years.
Cherry Orchards is a therapeutic community offering on-site residential or day programmes. It helps adults recovering from the debilitating effect of any life crisis, including mental health or psychological problems, learning difficulties, recovery from substance or alcohol abuse, and any other form of emotional distress. Set in 20 acres of fields and gardens, it offers a safe and peaceful rural setting within an urban context.
Our objectives are:<br>> To relieve sickness, hardship and distress by providing assistance, advice, representation and services amongst Chinese women in the area of benefit.<br>> To provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation for Chinese women or for those persons who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances... More
We are a large city centre church, and work under our vision statement of "Being transformed by Jesus to see the Kingdom come', which is further expanded in the three areas of Worship, Mission and Family. Internationally, we support many mission partners in the wider world.
Registered (Non profit) Provider of Social Housing (Supported Accommodation) and related support services, Drugs & Alcohol, Domestic Violence and Other Vulnerable Adult Services.
Circles Network is a UK wide voluntary organisation based in Warwickshire, renowned for building inclusive communities on the foundations of justice, advocacy, empowerment and friendships.
Working with people of any age who are isolated or at risk of isolation, this organisation has ground breaking expertise in the development of Circles of Support, Independent and Collective Advocacy, Person Centred Planning and Inclusion into the mainstream of life. Working in highly creative,... More
FE and HE education in Circus
Community engagement in circus and arts
Public class programme for adults and children in Circus
Theatre and performance
Events and hires space
Supports witnesses attending court