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.
We provide Libraries of Things, located on Kingswood High Street and soon East St in Bedminster as well.
We enable people to borrow the things they need rather than buying or going without, helping them to live life to the fullest - whether that be borrowing gear for a camping trip, gardening equipment, extra glasses for a party, things to entertain the kids with or kitchen tools.
Shaw Trust is a national charity working to create brighter futures for the people and communities we serve. We help people to find a job, access training, learn new skills and live more independent lives.
We are a organisation providing holistic, solutions-based and hands-on education and training to prepare for a low-carbon, post-oil, creative, dynamic and community-centered future. We are increasing capacity of existing community projects and inspire new ones. We run a year long, part time practical sustainability course starting in September. We are also running a seasonal programme of one-off talks, courses and workshops which will subsidise student places on the PSC.
For further... More
Education and Training
SCAF is a grass-roots community development organisation whose sole aim since 2001 has been to improve the quality of life for everyone in Shirehampton. We run a varied and successful range of projects including: Free weekly door-to-door shopping trips for over 60’s in a fully accessible minibus; Two free weekly walking groups; Community Safety Action Group; Shire Youth Network, Shire Planning Group, “Shire Greens” Environment group, a monthly Community Market & a whole range of projects... More
Shirehampton Public Hall Community Association manages the Public Hall, in partnership with Bristol City Council, as a community centre. The hall houses a variety of user groups including a playgroup, an art club, craft groups, an amateur drama group, a model railway club, and groups for the elderly. We also provide Polish Language classes. The hall and other rooms are all available for hire.The hall itself is a excelllent venue for plays, concerts, exhibitions and large parties. It... More
Shooting Fish are a professional new-writing theatre company with bases in Lincoln and Bristol. Originally founded by writer/director Darren Bolton in 2002 the company began in his home town of Immingham, North East Lincolnshire and was formerly incorporated in 2005.
One of the core ethos’ of the company is the production of new writing for and with communities, often working in areas of high deprivation, where there is little or no arts activity. We are dedicated to and passionate... More
We run participatory folk arts workshops for young people, by young people.
Sight Support West of England provides services for blind and partially sighted people across Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire . Sight Support West of England’s key aim is to provide support for people with and at risk of sight loss both through direct provision and working with a range of partners, to improve the quality of life for blind and partially sighted people and to increase their individual independence.
We support organisations to grow, to improve their performance and increase profitability. Our profits are then re-invested to help talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, engage with education and look to the future with improved skills and confidence.
Span is a uniquely diverse organisation supporting single parents to empower themselves throughout the UK. SPAN aims to give a voice to one parent families living in poverty and isolation and support the setting up and development of self-help groups. SPAN develops partnerships with organisations and agencies to improve policies for one-parent families.<br>SPAN provides a newsletter full of news and information on groups, trainig, publications, funding and holidays. Our website... More
Sirona care & health is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, providing publicly-funded health and social care services that support people in their communities in Bath, North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Supported Employment Services for people with a learning disability, autism or other disadvantage in the workplace
SixtyOne is a group of Bristol based charities, churches, businesses and individuals who have come together to work co-operatively to help ex-prisoners lead meaningful lives that are free from crime.
Small Strides CIC has been set up to provide equine assisted learning and activities to people who are looking to improve mental and physical well-being and learn new skills through the interaction with horses.
Our main focus is to offer facilitated sessions to adults and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Clients includes people with mental health problems, learning difficulties, recovering addictions, autistic spectrum, and children with development issues, young carers and... More
We support our members by providing a safe, confidential environment and emotional support around social phobia/social anxiety. Providing a variety of opportunities for our members to engage in social activities and build relationships. Providing relevant information and two mixed support groups and a women's group - providing an opportunity through facilitation led sessions for members to explore and overcome their difficulties around social phobia/social anxiety.
We develop technology and social projects to further wildlife conservation and environmental protections.
We provide social housing to prospective tenants seeking accommodation who are in receipt of housing and state benefits and who may have barriers to employment and education. In addition we provide tenancy support.
SOFA Project was born in Bristol in 1980 as the 'Shifting old Furniture' Project and has grown and developed ever since. What started as one man and his van now consists of two shops (one in Bristol and one in Knowle), supported by 4 lorries and vans, a workshop, a warehouse and 36 staff, volunteers and work placements. All electrical goods sold by SOFA are bought from retail, tested and refurbished and are covered by guarantee. The project serves four client groups; those who wish... More
The Soil Association exists to research, develop and promote sustainable relationships between the soil, plants, animals, people and the biosphere, in order to produce healthy food and other products while protecting and enhancing the environment.
The mission statement of the Soil Association is:
"The Soil Association has been researching and promoting organic farming as the key to sustainable agriculture since 1946, with its distinctive symbol now widely recognised as... More
SEDSOB is a developing organisation run by an active group of volunteers from the relatively new and growing Somali community in Bristol. SEDSOB was founded in January 2007 to increase the capacity of Somali men and women to influence their community and enhance their opportunities for employment.
SEDSOB runs a 75 place supplementary school and provides further educational/ employment support services to over 40 adult learners and parental support to approximately 150 parents/... More
SARSAS provides an independent women only service for women who have been raped, sexually abused, coerced, harassed or who have suffered any form of sexual intimidation, whether recently or in the past. We provide a confidential telephone help-line, face to face support, counselling, information, advocacy and sign-posting for additional support services. SARSAS also educates the public about sexual violence and raises awareness of the impact of rape and sexual abuse on the victim and wider... More
Soundwell provides music therapy within the South West for adults whose lives are seriously affected by mental health issues. We support people in their mental health recovery and provide emotional support to carers, using music to explore creativity, communication and expression. This can rebuild hope and transform lives.
Free generalist and specialist advice on welfare, benefits and money advice in the Bristol South area
South Bristol Church and Community Trust (SBCCT) grew out of the well established Withywood Church Community Project with the objective to develop Church owned land and buildings for neighbourhood facilities to benefit the local community. Currently the Trust owns and manages the Withywood Centre and rents out the facilities to various groups including charities and local organisations with the aim to create a thriving centre and regenerate the area. The Trust have formed and maintained... More
Our primary objective is to promote physical, cognitive, sensory and emotional development through play by providing for public benefit good quality indoor and outdoor toys for hire as a community resource for children, their families and carers living in south Bristol.
To provide information and advice services
Supports, develops & represents volunteering and community organisations operating in South Gloucestershire.<br><br> We offer training, fundraising, information and one to one support. We also run networks and provide resources for groups.
The foundation supports small VCS organisations through funding, research, training.
The South West International Development Network (SWIDN) is an organised networking platform and programme of events, run by a group of like-minded individuals and organisations. The SWIDN is designed to support, inform and connect professionals, academics and students engaged in the international development sector in South West England.
we provide empowerment and support services to the Somali Community in Bristol. For example Advice, Information, Advocacy and completing application forms for employment, housing, welfare issues.
We’re a community development and Hleath and wellbeing organisation, bringing people together to build strong communities. Since 1988, we’ve been working with people of all ages to help them live happy, healthy lives
Children's Centre
we provide advice and guidance for the local community as well as education and training.
also, we provide leisure and sport activities to tackle isolation and promote the emotional wellbeing of the local community.
The Southville Centre is a company limited by guarantee and managed by the Southville Community Development Association which is a membership organisation. It exists to provide facilities, resources and expertise locally to improve the quality of life for the local community in the Southville / Bedminster / Ashton areas (postal code area BS3) in South Bristol. <br><br> The Southville Centre is a major community asset managed by SCDA. Services directly provided... More
We provide grants and support for our residents and local groups to improve their community – whether it’s funding for a dream project, or advice on the best way forward for an idea to get off the ground, our communities team can help make it happen. We work in an asset based community development approach building on strength and potential, and everything we do is designed to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of our residents individually, and to contribute to developing thriving... More
I am a social enterprise teaching healthy living and esol classes as well cooking on a budget. I also empower asian women into business and run a food festival each year.
Spike Island is an international centre for the development of contemporary art and design.
Splitz provides a range of services to people who have experienced domestic abuse, separation and divorce, including groups for male perpetrators of domestic abuse who wish to change their behaviour. We provide housing related floating support and a mother & baby unit for teenage parents. These services are provided in Wiltshire and Swindon. We recently won a contract to provide the Stopping Violence Programme in Bristol. This is a group for male perpetrators of domestic abuse who wish... More
Air Training Corps - Fly's (Gliders & Powered Aircraft), Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Camping, adventure training, shooting, first aid, RAF visits, air shows, overseas travel.<br>For anyone aged 13-17 years
Square Food Foundation is a cookery school which offers a unique opportunity to people of any age, ability and walk of life to make food and cooking more accessible, more fun and more part of everyday living. Square Food is a Community Interest Company. Square Food has run courses and workshops for over 15 years. It has taught skills and given confidence and inspiration to thousands of its students from every walk of life. To make its cooking as accessible and affordable as possible, Square... More
As a black-majority Church of England church we meet to worship God, to pray for and serve the communities in the above areas. One half of the church building has been converted into a hall, kitchen and offices (disabled access) for use by groups in the locality. The hall and kitchen are available for hire
St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, located on the outskirts of Bristol, has a consistently good performance and strong reputation locally, employing 200 staff. One of only two Sixth Form Colleges in the South West, we welcome a diverse range of over 1700 students from a wide surrounding area. An exciting recent development has been our move into a new £20 million campus on the existing site
We provide a social venue for over 55s. Transport isolated and vulnerable people to our lunch club, provide a 2 course meal.
St.George Community Association runs St.George community centre and gets involved in Community Groups. Classes at the Centre include yoga, pilates, jazzercise & dance, and we run playgroups and coffee mornings.
St George’s Bristol is one of the country’s leading concert halls. It boasts a superb acoustic and unique atmosphere which attracts the world’s best artists.
A full and vibrant programme, with over 250 events each year, makes it an incredibly popular and important venue for all kinds of music.
St George’s is also a charity (registration number 295178) dedicated to promoting high quality music to diverse audiences. We do this by offering the best classical, jazz, blues, folk and... More
We provide a safe and secure environment in which children can play after school. We provide a good variety of activities and have well trained and supportive staff.
St John Ambulance (SJA) is the key provider of an effective and efficient
charitable first aid service to local communities and encourages personal
development for people of all ages, through training and by voluntary
membership of our organisation.
SJA run Badger Setts for 5-10 year olds and Cadet groups for 10-17 year olds.
Each youth member works through an exciting and varied programme of
activities in order to achieve a variety of awards such as the... More
we are a church.
we do a lot of work in the community including 2 drop ins where we provide food for people who are marginalised, a weekly coffee morning and run a make lunch project around combatting holiday hunger. we also have an older persons worker
We are a Community Cafe, which serves the folk of Easton, you can eat good healthy food at affordable prices, or if you are without money you are welcome to eat for free.The cafe is staffed by volunteers, I am paid as Manager, and we are hoping to appoint in the near future a paid Deputy We offer a Listening Ear service, support for those suffering with mental illness, and East Bristol Foodbank works out of the cafe on a Friday. We have a steering group, which consists of a diverse group... More
Our members have had their vocal chords removed due to cancer. Being unable to take part in conversations is very isolating. We (together with our partners) try to support each other. Hospital staff always attend and deal with our queries. There are many situations where lack of a 'voice' means we are automatically excluded. Emotions are locked as we cannot laugh or cry
The Community Fund gives one off gifts and short term grants to individuals in crisis who fit our criterea. We hepl people who have a physical health problem or disability, who live in Bristol and the surrounding area, are on a low income and are over 16. Please refer to our website for further information or call us on 0117 9494003.
St Pauls Learning Centre is a community centre with a wide range of rooms, offices and workshops available to rent. We have a café, a crèche and a community garden.
Family Support via groups, 1:1
We provide free and independent legal and generalist advice services in the St Pauls area. We hold a specialist Quality Mark from the Legal Services Commission to provide Welfare Benefit Advice Services including tribunal representation. We provide generalist advice on a wide variety of issues including housing, debt and immigration.
We work with partner agencies to campaign on issues identified through individual cases to improve service provision to the whole community.
We... More
St Peter's Hospice provides specialised palliative care and support for patients with life-limiting illness, usually cancer, where curative treatment is no longer possible. Our commitment is to improve the quality of life of patients while extending care and support to their relatives. Patients are referred to St Peter's with the approval of their family doctor. No charge is made and all services for patients are free due to the generosity of the people of Bristol. Most patients... More