Our News
We are hiring for the The Maendeleo Project!
The Maendeleo Project aims to champion and invest in the growth of grassroots and socially entrepreneurial change chosen by African Caribbean communities in St Paul’s, Bristol, in a 3-year programme. As a result, we are hiring for a Community Development Worker.
Are you able to work with the best of Afrikan Heritage Community expressions of language, customs and traditions to bring people together to enact solution-focused initiatives? Then this Community Development Worker role is for you!
BSWN one of six ‘enabler' organisations’ supporting the Impact Alliance Project to Make Loneliness a Stranger
We are excited to announce that Black South West Network has been selected as one of the enabler organisations supporting the Impact Alliance Project. This recognition highlights our expertise in racial justice, our commitment to community empowerment, and our research-and evidence-driven approach.
The Impact Alliance was established in response to the growing recognition that siloed, traditional approaches to funding and support must be reimagined, instead championing a cross-sector, collaborative model that prioritises shared learning and authentic partnership with communities.
At BSWN, we are honoured to be part of this transformative initiative, which aims to address loneliness in our region through local, community-led innovation. We believe that tackling loneliness is only possible when the voices and experiences of those affected are at the centre.
Through this project, we will work closely with the community to deepen our understanding of loneliness, and to co-design sustainable, community-driven solutions. We look forward to collaborating with partners across the Impact Alliance and sharing our learning as we progress on this journey. We are thrilled to contribute to this transformative project by addressing loneliness within our chosen community through innovative methods, collective knowledge, and community-led approaches.
Take part in our consultation with artists
& cultural producers in the region!
Please take part in our consultation with artists & cultural producers in the region. If you're a Black and Minoritised artist, dancer, writer, performer, or cultural producer in the West of England, please take part in our 10-minute survey.
We want to understand your experience, which will help us identify and ultimately address the needs, challenges and opportunities you encounter, including barriers to accessing support and funding, and what would help you thrive as an artist in the sector.
Join one of our webinars, events or networking sessions to support yourself, your organisation or social enterprise! We have several workshops scheduled for the coming months that you may wish to attend:
Our upcoming events:
9th September: Network For Your Net-Worth: Community Sector Meet, Connect and Mingle
16th September: Action Learning Group: Writing Good Funding Applications
17th September: Social Housing Drop-In Sessions (Lawrence Hill Ward)
29th September: Directors’ Briefing (Session 1)
30th October: Directors’ Briefing (Session 2)
Local jobs, events, and opportunities
Creative robotics studio and Air Giants take over Undershed at Watershed with their upcoming exhibition, featuring friendly giant plants, light, sound, and a host of mystery giant inflatables, creating an immersive space for all ages to explore and play. Step into the abandoned Hothouse Laboratory, filled with giant robotic plants, light, sound, and mystery.
Running from Thursday, 7th August – Monday, 1st September 2025. Tickets cost £2–£12 each on a pay-what-you-can sliding scale, so everyone can join in the fun.
St Werburgh’s Community Association is seeking Expressions of Interest for the running of the Café at St Werburgh’s Community Centre.
This is an exciting opportunity for a business to operate from St Werburgh’s busy and well-loved community centre. This tender relates solely to the running of the new café business, though it is essential that the café operator shares the values of St Werburgh’s Community Association, and will operate the café as a community resource and in a manner consistent with other activities and events happening within the space.
The 2-stage process is open now, with the first stage of Expressions of Interest open until Sunday, 17th August 2025.
Receptionist and Administrator opportunity at creative youth network
Creative Youth Network is recruiting a receptionist and administrative assistant to support the operation of the Kingswood Estate. You will be well-organised, have excellent customer service skills, and have experience appropriate to a busy reception role.
Creative Youth Network is an award-winning charity with a mission to enable young people to reach their potential, operating across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. They offer a range of services and an exciting range of creative courses, programmes and activities for young people embarking on careers in the creative sector.
TRUSTEE OPPORTUNITY AT ST WERBURGHS CITY FARM
St Werburgh’s are looking for passionate trustees who can proactively work with the Board, Director, Operations Team and Staff to guide the charity and strengthen our community services. Previous board/trustee experience is not necessary, and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds.
Being a trustee is an excellent way to develop your management and leadership skills, gain experience to advance your professional career, and acquire transferable skills that make you a standout on your CV. Closing date 18th August 2025.
TRUSTEE OPPORTUNITY AT ST AGNES ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
St Agnes Adventure Playground are seeking trustees who are passionate about advancing the lives and relieving the needs of young people and their families in St Agnes, in St Paul’s and the city of Bristol.
This is through the provision of recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve conditions of life, and providing support and activities which develop skills, capacities and capabilities to enable participation in society as mature and responsible individuals.
They are advertising for at least 3 new trustees with a deadline for applications on 18th August 2025. We intend to build a strong and confident board and would welcome having trustees who complement existing skills on the board in operations, community development and safeguarding with the following.
OPERATIONS MANAGER ROLE AT NILAARI AGENCY
Nilaari, a black-led community-based mental health charity, are hiring for an Operations Manager, where you will play a key role in strategic planning, managing external relationships, supporting staff development, and securing long-term sustainability through innovation, fundraising, and collaboration.
TREASURER FOR THE FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL THEATRE COLLECTION
Are you interested in theatre, museums, research, arts or culture? If so, you may be interested in joining the Friends of the University of Bristol Theatre Collection as a Treasurer. The Friends Charity is looking for a diligent and detail-oriented Treasurer to join the governing Council and oversee the financial health of the organisation.
This voluntary role involves leading on the financial affairs of the charity, ensuring they are conducted within the legal, accounting and good practice conventions. Being a member, particularly as treasurer, offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a charity that supports one of the world’s largest archives of British theatre. Closing date 24th August.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR FREE LEGAL ADVICE?
If you do not qualify for legal aid, a solicitor may be able to take on your case as part of their pro bono work.
Pro bono work is free legal help for people who cannot afford to pay for legal services and do not qualify for legal aid. Solicitors work pro bono to help make sure everyone has access to justice when they need it. Pro bono work is voluntary and there’s no obligation to do it, although many solicitors choose to.
FINDING A PRO BONO LAWYER
LawWorks is a charity which connects lawyers with people who cannot get legal aid. It can provide free advice on issues such as:
debt
welfare rights
housing matters
employment law
consumer disputes
You’ll need to make an appointment to see a lawyer at one of LawWorks’ legal advice clinics. legal advice clinic near you
You might have to pay legal costs if you lose your case and the other party has been given professional legal help. you should discuss what costs you might have to pay with your lawyer before they start work on your case.
OTHER SOURCES OF FREE LEGAL HELP
Support Through Court is a charity which can help you if you have to go to court without a lawyer. It can:
explain how the court works
help you with forms and any documents you might need in court
help you plan what you want to say in court
provide someone to go to court with you for support
discuss settling issues without going to court
provide details of other specialist advice agencies
AdviceNow is an online advice resource run by the charity Law for Life: the Foundation for Public Legal Education.
It has practical information about your rights and the law in England and Wales on subjects such as:
going to court
employment
consumer affairs
health and social care
crime and police
housing and homelessness