News / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2023
Charity advent calendar, day 23: Heart of BS13
Heart of BS13 was founded in 1990 by a group of BS13 residents keen to address specific health problems through increased connection with the local environment.
Over the years, the organisation has widened its brief to include mental health support, targeted nutrition and cooking activity and now a focus on social enterprise.
Serving the Hartcliffe and Withywood area, the charity has three main areas. Its kitchen serves to address food inequality through various projects like its Slow Cooker Club, Pay It Forward meal range and Mobile Foodshop, as well as its Community Freezer.
is needed now More than ever
Its volunteers also run a social enterprise selling seasonal, chemical-free, low-carbon flowers to Bristol businesses and residents, as well as running workshops, offering volunteer and trainee placements and creation education opportunities.
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Heart of BS13 is committed to tackling climate action in its local area, empowering young people through green social action projects, and hosting climate and environmentally-themed workshops and performances from its Climate Action Hub.
The charity also planted a whopping 1.8 mile pollinators trail to increase wildlife in BS13, alongside setting up a compost enterprise to reduce food waste and increase soil health in the area.
The charity offers a Level 1 Award in City and Guilds Horticulture, providing a well-rounded opportunity for those interested in the field, with the next cohort beginning in the spring.
As part of the festive season, the charity has launched 60 at-home ‘Cook-it’ family food packs, which include three Festive courses, delivered on e-bikes across the city.
Main photo: Heart of BS13 Instagram
Read next:
- The rise of grassroots growing projects in Bristol
- Report lays out Bristol’s climate-friendly food plans
- Charity launches ambitious fundraising target to tackle food insecurity
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