Featured Image: Sunset at Sea after a Storm, Francis Danby

Together, We Are Better.

AskingBristol relies on the beneficence of the region’s volunteers, charities, individuals, and businesses going the extra mile to create stronger, lasting connections.

We extend our gratitude to everyone involved in helping Bristol’s third sector fulfill its potential.

The University of Bristol

A historic and globally-renowned academic institution, the University of Bristol’s support for AskingBristol has been present from an early stage in our growth.

With social challenges and issues on the rise, including the cost-of-living, inflation, and Bristol’s housing crisis, the University are keen to explore ways to better embed themselves into the social fabric of the region. AskingBristol welcomes the University’s dedication to realising greater civic engagement and utilising the skills, talents, and resources of its students and faculties to make Bristol a better place for everyone. Much of this work orients itself around the developing Third Sector.

Particular thanks is extended to the Professional Liaison Network who have funded research-based internship opportunities for undergraduate students in collaboration with AskingBristol. The University have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring lasting partnerships between themselves and the City’s organisations.

Video: ‘Professional Liaison Network | Connecting students with organisations’

Burges Salmon

An internationally-renowned law firm providing a multitude of services, Burges Salmon has a strong reputation for community engagement and giving back to the city of its origins.

The firm interacts with local people in a variety of ways, with a particular emphasis on promoting welfare and access to opportunities amongst young people. Burges Salmon also provides frequent funding to worthy causes and initiatives through the Burges Salmon Charitable Trust.

An ambitious and sustainable organisation with an excellent grasp on modern legal and social affairs, AskingBristol is pleased to partner with the firm in supporting charities and voluntary groups in Greater Bristol.

Video content is property of Burges Salmon.

180 Degrees Consulting, Bristol:

180 DC provides consulting support to non-profit organisations, by using the pool of world-class educational talent to create solutions to societal problems.

A renowned organisation, operating in over 30 countries worldwide, with the Bristolian branch being a particularly coveted cog in the machine.

The University of Bristol team has completed over 100 projects to date – the ambitions and motivations of the individuals at 180DC align closely with what the AskingBristol model aims to achieve – that is, in a broad sense, to ensure equal accessibility to resources and expertise at all levels of the third sector chain.

To discover more on 180DC and their work, follow the link to their website.

91 Ways:

AskingBristol has been fortunate enough to develop a partnership with 91 Ways, spearheaded by Founder, Kalpna Woolf, (also CEO of BeOnBoard). Kalpna has received various high-profile awards recognising her commitment to community-based work. She is also a Governor and Visiting Professor at the University of the West of England.

91 Ways’ core purpose began with uniting the 91 language groups and communities based in Greater Bristol through good food and activities – building bridges whilst doing so.

Learn more about 91 Ways and their terrific work on their website and official platforms.

Avon and Somerset Police:

Overseeing the safety of the region, Avon and Somerset Police have previously worked with AskingBristol on various occasions with respect to community-based work.

Currently led by Chief Constable Sarah Crew (appointed November 2021), Sarah has championed the promotion of diversity within the force, as well as playing an integral role in the development and implementation of Operation Bluestone in sexual assault prevention and awareness.

Learn more about the force and their work here.

Naseem Talukdar, Bristol Curry Club:

A respected and committed member of Bristol’s voluntary community, Naseem is the Founder of Bristol Curry Club and Chief Executive Officer at Projects Against Plastic

His work primarily revolves around the promotion of social welfare in the minority ethnic communities and environment awareness and conservation. He has excellent relationships with various language groups in Greater Bristol and has provided valuable support in helping AskingBristol work with Bristol’s South Asian restaurant community.

Naseem (left) was recently part of a cohort of campaigners invited to Holyrood Palace for King Charles III for his first reception as monarch.

The audience discussed topics relating to environmental and social issues regarding the British South Asian communities.

See more here.

Bristol Law Society

Founded in 1770, the Bristol Law Society (BLS) is the oldest legal community of its nature in England. BLS provides a range of services, with ties across Bristol and Bath.

It is parent to the Bristol Legal Sector Community Engagement Group (BLSCEG), chaired by former Burges Salmon Managing Partner (and friend of AskingBristol), Peter Morris; the BLSCEG conduct various charitable and voluntary activities across the region in regard to promoting fair and just practice of the legal profession and beyond.

Learn more about their work on their official website.

High Sheriff’s Fund

Discover more on the work of the High Sheriffs of Bristol via the website.

Professor Martin Parker

Martin is a Professor of Organisation Studies at the University of Bristol’s School of Management and has been a vital academic and research-oriented contributor to the development of the AskingBristol project.

Martin was a lead for the Bristol Inclusive Economy Initiative and a Distinguished Fellow of the Schumacher Institute and is an established author on his field of study.

To read more on Martin’s work, click here.

Recent Info:

Latest:

Updates, publications, and news from AskingBristol's work in the Third Sector.

14/07/2023: Annual Charity Commission's Report on 'Trust'

The Annual Charity Commission has published a comprehensive report on perceived public trust in charities, charitable spending, and charitable initiatives.

"The findings affirm last year's research on transparency. It's easier for the public to trust charities that are small and local, and causes they feel personally connected to."

AskingBristol welcomes the deep-dive report into the effects of recent economic development and the landscape of the Third Sector post-pandemic.

Read the report in full here.

29/06/2023: The Big Read: 'Realities of the Third Sector'

'Realities of the Third Sector', an extended editorial piece by Sohail Ali is now available on our website.

The piece considers the ramifications of receding support from central and local government, and the shifting responsibility this inevitably places upon the shoulders of the voluntary sector, with the question being - how does the voluntary sector cope?

Read the editorial in full here.

21/05/2023: A Community Event in Barton Hill

AskingBristol has, this week, facilitated an event hosted at Barton Hill Amateur Boxing Club bringing together local families to enjoy food, discuss food culture, and take away some goods (including slow cookers, food products, and recipe books).

Our sincere thanks to all attendees, with particular regard to Tom Foley (Barton Hill A.B.C.), Natalie Ward (91 Ways), Burges Salmon, and Uncle Paul's Chilli Charity.

Full story to be released in the coming weeks.

01/05/2023: Updated JSNA Report 2022/2023: Food Insecurity

The Bristol Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), a city council initiative, have released a new Data Profile pertaining to 'Health and Wellbeing' as of Spring 2023.

This information is integral to understanding how communities tackle the worsening issue of food insecurity in the region, particularly in light of restrictive financial situations.

Find the report in full here.

28/04/2023: 'Social Infrastructure Platforms': An Academic Publication

Read Professor Martin Parker's academic publication on AskingBristol and its potential to encourage change in Bristol's Third Sector - published in the International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy.

Follow the link to discover.

13/03/2023: The Challenges for Charities in 2023

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations have published their report, entitled The Road Ahead, 2023, on the slowed growth of the sector in light of the cost-of-living crisis. Included in the report are suggestions for voluntary groups going forward, and what they ought to expect regarding the political and economic climate. See the more on the NCVO website: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-insights/news-index/road-ahead-2023-cost-of-living/#/

Features:

See our weekly features of the brilliant Bristol-based voluntary groups providing innovative charitable support.

01/05/2023: Freestyle Bristol

"Freestyle Bristol is a digital platform curated by young people, for young people. We are an unrestricted space promoting creators, innovators, activists, etc. After the challenges of the last couple of years, we decided our mission would be to shine a light on what is happening in Bristol, to capture the stories and the [far too often] hidden talent that makes up this amazing city we call home."

01/04/2023: Uncle Paul's Chilli Charity

"Founded in 2020, Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity is set in a unique, rural environment. We welcome young people and adults who may have experienced social disadvantages or barriers to learning and/or employment. Using our farmland setting, beneficiaries can learn and develop new skills, as well as gain experience and qualifications needed for successful and sustainable employment. Our key focuses are on education, wellbeing and social prescribing."

01/03/2023: StreetSpace

"StreetSpace offers: sessions in our space in Knowle West, one-to-one or small groups working with individuals both in and out of school, detached youth work on the streets and more.

We aim to provide consistent and inspirational relationships with young people through creating a safe space away from the streets in which to experience real respect and hopefully, grasp a wider view upon the world in which we live. This will increase their confidence, knocking down the socially implanted walls between the young person and their dreams."

Supporters and Collaborators

Professor Martin Parker