‘Can charity survive in a gentrified Bristol?’

As I make my daily walk home up Gloucester Road from Montpelier and Stokes Croft, I can’t help but noticing an onslaught of restaurants, a number of empty businesses and – most concerning to me – a complete lack of charities or places for people to seek support in a time of need.

There has been a lot of news coverage recently about the closing of popular music venues such a Bierkeller or the threat to Thekla, but little is being reported about the sharp rise in grassroots charities or NGOs closing in Bristol.

In a time where venues are just as vulnerable as people I can understand the heightened interest but I can’t ignore the fact no one really is interested.

Almost one in five UK larger charities and more than a quarter of smaller UK charities are struggling to survive in the face of growing demand and a tough financial climate.

It is not a shock that the charity sector has been hit by big budget cuts and growing demand in their services. With many charity futures looking uncertain, is there a place for charities in a gentrified Bristol?

Declining funds combined with a rise in workload mean small charities lack the resources to stay open and operating.

Survive, a grassroots charity based in Kingswood which operates two different support services for children who have either been the victim of domestic violence or witnessed abuse of any kind in the home, says it will have to close unless it can raise £100,000 in the next few weeks.

It is understandable that the nature of charity has changed over the last few decades. With public spending for the charity sector cut almost 40 per cent since 2010, it will never returned to its once formidable state.

Charity was born on community. It’s what drives the hard-working individuals, on disappointing wages and exhausting work hours to continue the great work they do. Without this need to ‘help thy neighbour’, Bristol’s gentrification could bring the end to the spirit Bristol was born on.

The property developers who own Hamilton House say they have no control over who buys the units once they are placed on the open market but hopes independent businesses will move in to retain Stokes Croft’s independent culture.

This essentially invites property buyers with no real interest to giving back to the community, to move in.

As I finish my walk home, I pause because I do not know how small charities can exist in such a fast paced and budget-constricted city, and unfortunately this appears to be the case nationwide.

It is no longer realistic to expect charities to fulfil all the roles of government agencies or global corporations, acting as a Florence Nightingale to every single person.

Charities must strive to rediscover their creative edge and place within society. Only through great social media networks, a strong voluntary work force and a good business model can charities keep up with an ever-changing landscape.

Isabella Cross works in the charity sector in Bristol, specialising in social housing among those suffering with mental health issues.