Still Learning...

The School of Activism is nearing a close, with only five more days to go - but oh, what days they are!

Tonight and tomorrow the line-up includes some of our favourite Bristol poets and activists with sessions on changing the drug law, persuasive writing and reclaiming our history.

Then it’s the weekend! With Friday morning offering one last Philosophy for Children session before we start getting into some tech discussions. Want to make a movie? Start a data union? How about writing a tech manifesto, or building a mini projector? Whatever technology interests you, we’ll be covering it this weekend.

Finally, on Sunday we round off the programme with PRSC vs The Future, a session introducing you to the various aspects of the PRSC, our ambitions and plans and how you can get involved.

Looking into the future, a few of our SoA sessions had to be postponed over the last two weeks so look out for new dates being released for The Strategy & Tactics of a Direct Action with Acorn, Introduction to Bristol Antifa, Self Defence with PunchUp (this will now be able to run in the park instead of online), and the What can we do to end male violence? workshop.

School of Chativism

"The School of Chativism is an experimental social media space that will run for the duration of the School of Activism 2.0. This is the place to discuss and share events at SOA2. But it's also a space for questioning what social media currently is, and what it could be, for activists and activism. We can remake it as we go, transform it throughout SOA2.“

...join the conversation!

National Tea Day is almost here!

Unsurprisingly we're big fans of tea round here, so we were pleased to discover there's an entire day dedicated to it! Next Wednesday 21 April is the day to celebrate, perhaps with a totally unique teapot, or a special cup & saucer set?

Local Elections - May 6

Elective Reading

★ Bristol is now the UK’s leader in ‘authoritarian democracy’ - an opinion piece diving deep into the current state of our city's politics
★ The Bristol Cable's 2021 Election coverage includes articles, interviews with candidates, and a Citizens' Agenda

Active Travel Mayoral Hustings & Cycling Manifesto

Bristol Cycling is keeping active travel on the agenda, with an Active Travel Mayoral Hustings on 21st April, and a manifesto of five key policies including creating at least six liveable neighbourhoods, extending the School Streets programme, and installing 1,000 bike hangars across Bristol.

Community News

Rapid Covid testing extended in Bristol

Lateral flow (rapid) testing is now available to anyone in Bristol. People can access a test at a local testing site, collect self-test kits to take home or order a test kit direct to their home. You don’t need to book an appointment - you can just turn up at one of our local testing sites or collection points.

Supervised testing (and collection) is available from the Bristol Rapid Testing Centre, 17-18 Wellington Road, BS2 9DA. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm and Sat and Sun 9am-5pm.

Three local sites for collection of tests only (to take at home) in Bristol are available daily between 2:30pm & 8pm
- Victoria Rooms Car Park, BS8 1EG
- Netham Park, BS5 9RU
- Hengrove Leisure Park, BS14 0HR
Portway Park and Ride, BS11 9QE, is also open every day 9am to 3pm, as a collection point for tests to take at home.

You can also have testing kits delivered to your home - order online or telephone 119.

Visit the Bristol City Council website for further support and guidance on rapid testing.

Things To Do

City of Threads Podcast Launch

City of Threads is a new 12-part immersive podcast series created by a team of visually impaired and sighted artists, collaborators and participants. Inviting you on a journey into the city as experienced through the perspectives of its visually impaired citizens, a place of sensory delights and navigational challenges, dangers and shared discoveries, City of Threads allows you to discover the city of Bristol in a whole new light, and explore the city from the comfort of your own home. Listen to Episode One »

Have Your Say

THREE DAYS LEFT to tell MPs about your views on the Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

MPs on the House of Commons Petitions Committee have scheduled a debate on a recent petition calling on the Government not to restrict rights to peaceful protest, and raising concerns about provisions in the Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would grant police additional powers in relation to protests. The debate is scheduled for April 26, so the committee want to hear your views by Friday 16 April.

Petition to fund domestic abuse services

Following on from our recent blog about ending violence against women, here is a petition from Women's Aid, calling for local authorities to fund specific domestic abuse services for women.

The government should recognise that domestic abuse is a gendered crime and women are the majority of victims and the vast majority of severe injury and domestic homicide victims. It is VITAL that local authorities fund specific domestic abuse services for women. At 10,000 signatures, the government will respond to this vital petition, and at 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Let's do everything we can to help women experiencing abuse to find a place of safety when they need it most. We NEED to protect women’s lifesaving refuges and domestic abuse services urgently. Please sign and share our campaign »

Jobs & Opportunities

Opportunities for young people at St Werburghs City Farm

SHORT DEADLINE! Would you like to learn about working in a Community Business? Do you enjoy working with a team of dedicated people looking to improve the local community? Do you like being outside and working with plants? Are you aged 16 - 24, and currently on Universal Credit? St Werburghs City Farm have two fantastic opportunities for young people aged 16 -24 to join their Propagation Place team, as part of the Kickstart Scheme! Deadline: April 15. Find out more & apply »

Digital Marketing Manager at Send a Cow

SHORT DEADLINE! International development organisation Send a Cow are looking for a full time Digital Marketing Manager to implement, monitor and develop their digital marketing strategy, leading on organisational digital marketing for growth across all UK teams. Applications close at 12pm on Friday 16th April. Find out more & apply »

St Pauls Carnival CIC: Community Engagement Officer

SHORT DEADLINE! Part-time position focused on the community to work remotely with a day in the Bristol office. 30 hours a month with flexibility to work extra hours if needed. Deadline: 5pm, 16 April 2021. Find out more & apply »

Part-time Arts Producer at Knowle West Media Centre

SHORT DEADLINE! KWMC is advertising this role at 30 hours a week role starting in May, to help grow and deliver a new social arts programme, 'Come Together' which aims to connect communities and artists. Deadline: 19 April 2021. Find out more & apply »

Mylk maker / Tiger and Float partner

Bristol-based plant milk producers Tiger and Float are looking to hire either a Mylk Maker to assist with production, or a partner to help take the business forward (as well as making mylk!). Deadline: April 25. Find out more & apply »

Activities Coordinator at Trinity Centre

Trinity are seeking an Activities Coordinator to lead in their asset-based community development approach to rebuilding their community activities programme at the Centre, post-lockdown. Deadline: 9am, Monday 26 April. Find out more & apply »

Campaigns Communications Coordinator for LWA

For this exciting and engaging role, The Landworkers’ Alliance are seeking a confident and skilled communicator who understands the complex issues and dynamics surrounding food, farming and land-use in the UK and internationally in order to research, write, develop and deliver communications that highlight and promote the campaigns work the LWA are undertaking. Deadline: 11.59pm, 2nd May. Find out more & apply »

Administrator for MAYK

MAYK are looking for an experienced Administrator to join the their team part-time, ensuring that MAYK has the administrative support needed to achieve their mission. This is a role for someone who gets a kick out of setting up and running the administrative systems that help arts organisations function. You’ll be well organised, have a hawk-eye for detail, be imaginative and resourceful, and be a strong lateral thinker. Deadline: Friday 7 May, 5pm. Find out more & apply »

Voluntary Arts: #CreativeChampions Call Out

As the pandemic lockdown begins to ease, Voluntary Arts are offering to provide support to '#CreativeChampions' across England as they begin to think about running their activities in person once again. If you lead, organise or provide a venue for creative cultural activities that take place regularly in social groups in England then get in touch and help them identify the skills and resources needed to support your groups creative activity in 2021 and beyond. Find out more »

North & East Bristol Business Support

This programme, available until March 2023, offers a range of events, webinars and engagement opportunities designed to support pre-starts, new and existing private businesses and social enterprises in all sectors. Despite the name, they are available across all areas of Bristol that aren't covered by the South Bristol Enterprise Support programme. Find out more »

Through the Lens

Throughout this crisis our work with rough sleepers continues. Please click on the button below to support this ongoing work.