Creativity and community spirit in Bristol under lockdown

Positive podcasts, virtual festivals and energetic home workouts are a few of the ways that local communities in Bristol are supporting people in the city during lockdown.

It has been just over six weeks since the UK entered into a lockdown, with people being told not to leave their home except to buy essential items, or for exercise. During this time, groups around Bristol have found innovative ways to support, motivate, educate and entertain people.

The Network, a community development project involving Wellspring Settlement, St Werburgh’s City Farm and the Somali Resource Centre, has launched a podcast, Held in Common. The community project, based in east Bristol, focuses on stories of positivity in the city during lockdown. The team are inviting Bristolians to contribute via WhatsApp, sharing stories which capture uplifting moments from the past few weeks.

The City of Bristol Brass Band performed the Wallace & Gromit theme tune, to uplift the patients, families and staff at Bristol Children’s Hospital. The Grand Appeal is a charity dedicated to the hospital, which continues to support sick children across the South West during the coronavirus pandemic.

Babbasa, a social enterprise that supports young people to achieve their professional aspirations, launched a virtual skill swap festival on 27-28 April. Organised by youth ambassadors, the festival offered participants the opportunity to share experiences, boost wellbeing and attend professional workshops during lockdown.

West of England sports charity Wesport has created a programme of activities for children to complete from home, with exciting classes such as the ‘Ariana Grande Dance Tutorial’ and ‘Train Like a Jedi’ to keep kids active during lockdown.

A campaign launched by Bristol’s Food Network, in collaboration with Bristol Green Capital Partnership, Bristol City Council and Resource Futures, pulls together the city’s food network. Bristol Food Kind offers advice on shopping, reducing food waste and how to grow fruit and vegetables at home with the aim of benefiting your own household, as well as the wider community Bristol’s food response to the coronavirus pandemic. To be part of the community of people sharing stories and advice or to take part in the campaign, use #BristolFoodKind on Instagram and Twitter.

Follow @YTLArenaBristol on social media, where we will continue to share stories of positivity and community across Bristol during lockdown.