A new Citizens UK chapter is forming in Bristol
A new Citizens UK chapter is forming in Bristol
Since 2023, community leaders from over 40 Bristol-based organisations - schools, colleges, universities, faith institutions, and community groups – have been coming together to build trust across difference, develop their relationships with one another, find common ground on the issues they care about, take collective action and explore what it would look like to build a broad based civil society alliance in Bristol.
Bristol Citizens has already made great strides and is keen to keep growing in both strength and numbers. Continue reading to find out more about Bristol Citizens' achievements so far and their next steps.
Who we are
We build power by uniting people around common issues and concerns. We recognise that real change can only be achieved when community-rooted organisations pool resources and learn the art of public action: building enough power for decision-makers to respond to the needs of ordinary people. Our chapters are made up of civic institutions from a range of local faith, school and community organisations, that represent the make-up of the city.
These civic institutions are strengthened through community organising – deepening their internal relational culture, as well as building better relationships with others in their neighbourhoods, cities and country.
The Diocese of Bristol, Cabot Learning Federation and the Bristol University Students’ Union committed initial seed funding to explore the building of an alliance in Bristol.
Since then, many organisations have been part of training, listening, Weaving Trusts and actions:
- All Saints Church, Fishponds
- Borderland
- Bridges for Communities
- Bristol and South Gloucestershire Methodist Circuit
- Bristol City of Sanctuary
- Bristol Harbourside Churches
- Bristol Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership (BRASP)
- Bristol North West Foodbank
- Bristol Quakers
- Bristol University Students’ Union
- Cotham School
- City Academy Bristol
- Cotham Parish Church
- Easton Peoples Council
- Hanham Woods Academy
- John Cabot Post-16
- St Paul's Clifton
- Voscur
Cabot Learning Federation Youth Leadership Academy culminates in Accountability Assembly with Police and Crime Commissioner candidates
In April 2024, young leaders from across the Cabot Learning Federation were given a unique insight into the worlds of policing, politics and public safety in a community assembly attended by the four candidates to be the next Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.
Bristol Citizens hosts first Weaving Trust event
In November 2025, with the Diocese of Bristol and the Bristol Students’ Union, we brought community leaders together for the city’s first Weaving Trust event. Weaving Trust events build trust across difference; a carousel of conversations between people who might not typically meet otherwise, they create an opportunity for individuals to realise their common interests and potentially generate information and energy for campaigns. Ed, a student leader from Bristol University, reflects on a Weaving Trust event in Bristol.
If you are from a civil society institution in Bristol and would like to find out more about getting involved, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Fiona Meldrum fionameldrum@citizensuk.org