Bristol is a city of diversity where we champion the fact that we experience the same raw material of urban life in very different ways. Recognising the inequalities that exist across the city, inclusivity is at the heart of our approach to economic growth – and the insights of our voluntary and community sector are central to this.
Our city is full of volunteers, community groups and social enterprises doing life-changing work every day. They’re running dementia sessions in care homes, organising excursions for young carers, putting people on pathways out of homelessness, or running play sessions, support groups, food banks and advice sessions. They’re helping Bristol people weather its storms and enjoy its good times, while giving them a voice in local decisions.
To ensure inclusivity is central to the growth of the city, our One City Plan aims to use the collective power of public, business and voluntary sector organisations to solve key challenges and drive inclusive economic growth.
This makes the experience and outreach work of the VCSE sector critical, particularly in groups such as low-income families, young people, Black and ethnic minority groups, women, disabled people, and those at the sharp end of the housing crisis. Ensuring these voices are part of our growth – while addressing a skills gap which will unlock the potential that comes with inclusive growth – is critical to Bristol’s development.
The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Bristol is diverse. It is home to large charities such as the Soil Association, a multitude of smaller local community organisations such as Hartcliffe and Withwood Community Partnership, and regional branches of national charities such as St Mungo’s and the Prince’s Trust.
The third sector provides a vital conduit for expertise as well as driving innovation to deliver services to those who need them and empowering communities to support themselves.
While recognising its challenges, Bristol strives to be a city which fosters equality of opportunity. Local VCSE organisations are critical in connecting and representing the most vulnerable, and exploring innovative ways to lift communities.
The council has recognised this with funding and in forming key partnerships with organisations such as VOSCUR and Black South West Network (BSWN) to provide critical support where it is needed. It has also recognised the importance of this sector in connecting with communities via the power of volunteering and giving networks, as well as the sector’s innovation in service delivery.
The city must continue to engage with its communities, especially those most disadvantaged by rising inequality. This will only be possible by building on the expertise of the VCSE sector, as well as supporting it with funding.
Using research by BSWN and the VCSE Strategy Group, we will ensure the needs of the sector are woven into the city’s economic plan.
“This [One City Economic Recovery and Renewal Strategy] strategy places inclusive economic development at its core by catalysing inclusion to implement a shared agenda that expands opportunity,
Recovery must include the voices of those too often left out of the design of initiatives developed to help them.
To truly build community resilience, reduce income inequality and ultimately achieve any Sustainable Development Goals, community voice must be at the centre of any meaningful recovery strategy to enable these lived experiences to move beyond just being a powerful story, but actually affect real change.”
Sado Jirde: BSWN director
