Social Impact / Bristol Commons
Bristol Commons returns to heal community trauma
The second event of the Bristol Commons project takes place on November 18 at Circomedia.
It’s a chance for people interested in building a supportive, fair and sustainable urban community to find out what’s already in place in the city and plan next steps.
‘Commoning’ refers to a network based on reciprocity, sharing and collaboration, for the benefit of individual and community wellbeing.
is needed now More than ever
The first Bristol Commons event brought together organisations and individuals from across the city in a spirit of co-creation
Bristol Commons, a project for community power, land justice and systemic change, has been set up by Coexist, the team behind the Hamilton House artist spaces evicted in 2018. They are working in partnership with the Diverse Artists Network (D.A.N.).
The project’s first event in March brought together over 180 people, including 60 community groups and organisations intent on growing a movement to strengthen community.
The Bristol Commons recognises that social and ecological justice issues have the greatest impact on marginalised groups, who also benefit most from inclusive, accessible community and cultural provision.
With the ‘movement for sustainable community prosperity’, Coexist hope to protect the community and cultural spaces threatened by intersecting crises including austerity, cost-of-living and voluntary sector staff burnout.
Recent evictions including Easton’s All Hallows Hall and Unit 15, the home of the Invisible Circus. Kuumba Centre in St Paul’s faces an uncertain future.
D.A.N. will help facilitate sessions and ensure creativity plays a part, as with the first Bristol Commons event at Trinity Centre
The event on November 18 will include mapping Bristol’s existing community assets, manifesto-making, and a panel discussion on lost spaces, community trauma and resurgence.
Food will be provided by Houria, a catering business working with migrant women and survivors of slavery.
The event will help to build a network to share resources, promote collaboration over competition, and enhance community health and wealth through community-owned infrastructure.
The project’s future aims include collective lobbying of the council and national government for increased localised power, and creating systemic change enabling control to be taken from private landlords and given back to communities.
Coexist co-director Danny Balla said: “One thing is certain – there is an appetite to do things differently here in Bristol, and a consensus that the status quo is just leading us closer to calamity.”
The day will include roundtables, co-creation sessions and panel discussions
Book tickets at www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/circomedia/sat-18-nov-the-bristol-commons-movement-building-97560#e97560
To volunteer at the event email info@coexistuk.org
All photos: Ilaria Trees Meridio
This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.
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