‘Bristol, it’s been a dream. But here’s to new challenges’

I didn’t grow up in Bristol. I moved two days before my 20th birthday.

I had been living here for a little over a year and had already fallen in love when I got the job at Bristol24/7. And almost two and half years later, it’s time for me to say goodbye to not only my role of Production, Lifestyle and LGBTQ+ Editor, but to Bristol as well.

I have loved Bristol since the moment I set foot here. My first visit was aged 13 and me and my family visited the M Shed, went to the Suspension Bridge and sat in the sun in Millennium Square. When my best friend moved to the city for university, I visited again. Now 18, I slept on the floor of her halls bedroom, drank in the Berkeley and danced the night away in Bunker (Analog? Gravity?).

Then, in January 2018, I stuffed all my belongings into my dad’s car and moved into a slightly dodgy, rented room on Bath Road.

Over the next three years I went on to live in Easton, Bedminster, Greenbank and Kingsdown. I’ve worked for the council and Scouts, volunteered for Freedom of Mind and been part of Off The Record. I’ve gone to Pride, danced at the Exchange and spent sunny days on College Green.

But I think when I look back at my time in the city, it will be Bristol24/7 that comes to mind first.

I first visited Bristol with my family in 2011. The highlight was, of course, the slidey rock. Photo: Mark Trevena

I’ve always had a tendency to pick up leaflets, free magazines and what’s on guides.

So, when I would pop to Bocabar for a break from my shared house, I would pick up Bristol24/7’s magazine (and Nitelife, Bristol Life, the Bristol Cable and every other free piece of paper). I became a member of Better Bristol in late 2018, and fell in love with its journalistic style.

In December of 2018, a role of Editorial Assistant was advertised on the Bristol24/7 website. Everyone and their mother forwarded it to me. I had already applied, of course.

I started at the company in February of 2019. There’s a photo taken of me on my first day. I’m fresh-faced and grinning, clutching onto a copy of the magazine.

I soon took over the LGBTQ+ and Lifestyle Editor roles, and was then promoted to Production Editor.

Over two and a half years, I have met people from all walks of life and, hopefully, helped to change the media (even if it’s in a small way).

A fresh faced newbie in February 2019 and a hard nosed journalist in June 2021. Times change, but not my love for Bristol and Bristol24/7. Photo: Ellie Pipe/Lowie Trevena

I’m proud to be the only journalist to regularly and thoroughly cover the city’s LGBTQ+ community, be the one in charge of a successful work experience and intern programme that helps underrepresented groups get a foot in the door to media, and getting the chance to use my words to help inform people.

But I’m moving on now. Onto new challenges and new places. I love Bristol, but I’m too comfortable here. I’m 23 and need to keep growing and learning as a person. For me, that means moving to London and working in an editorial role at a national charity.

Myself (far right) and some of the Bristol24/7 team, pre-Covid. Photo: Lowie Trevena

I’ll be handing over the LGBTQ+ Editor role, something that has been my baby for 16 months, to Kit Million-Ross. Just like me, they’re a transgender, non-binary journalist, a group that is underrepresented in news rooms and mis-represented in the media. They will be awesome.

My colleagues, Martin, Ellie and Safiya, will keep writing wonderful words for Bristol24/7 more widely. They have been doing an incredible job and I have no doubt they will only continue to make Bristol24/7 (and Bristol more widely) a better place through their expert writing.

Bristol, it’s been a dream. But here’s to new challenges.

Lowie Trevena is the former Production, LGBTQ+ and Lifestyle Editor. They are currently working as Digital Editor of Girlguiding.

Main photo: Rachel Oliver

Read more: ‘One day, I will live in a world where all people are deemed equal – including trans people’