Recent updates

The latest news from our projects

  • Local Artist backs Fundsurfer to restore much-loved Jacobs Wells Baths

    An update for Jacobs Wells Baths

    Nov 21 2023

    The momentum to restore Jacobs Wells Baths, Hotwells, Bristol, has seen a significant boost with the unveiling of a newly installed artwork on the front of the building as part of a Fundraiser to raise funds to repair and restore the Grade II former Dance Centre.

    “I’m delighted to see these lovely designs which will make the outside of the building look so less sad! We’ve all waited a long time to see some sign that the beloved Jacobs Wells is going to be restored.  Well done to Trinity for making this happen” Councillor Paula O'Rourke

    The artwork, a bespoke pen and ink drawing by Bristol-based artist Amy Hutchings, features words shared by members of the Hotwells community as part of a community consultation led by Trinity Community Arts as part of their mission to restore and reopen the building.

    The artwork features as a reward for the Jacobs Wells Fundraiser that we have launched on the Bristol based Fund Surfer platform.

    We are calling for Bristol residents to give what they can to help us reach a £5,000 fundraising target. These funds will help towards crucial costs as part of the current investigations and identified works.  

    Amy is not the first renowned artist to put their name to the appeal to save the building -  earlier this year esteemed actress Miriam Margolyes shared a heartfelt video outing the importance of community spaces, such as Jacobs Wells Baths, and encouraging people to get involved and support the drive to safeguard the building and re-open the space once more.

  • Album Insights Event - this Sunday

    An update for Echo Vocal Ensemble Debut Album

    Oct 6 2023

    Dear all,

    A reminder that we're hosting a small event this Sunday at the 1901 Arts Club in London. It starts at 5pm and you're welcome to join to hear us rehearse the music for the debut album as well as discuss the concepts and recording process in more detail. 

    If you'd like to attend, send a message to echovocalensemble@gmail.com. 

    We're also headed into the studio next week to record, thanks to your generous donations earlier this year. The album won't be released till 2024, but as our valued supporters we'll be sending you behind-the-scenes videos and content from that recording session in the coming weeks. 

    Many thanks again for all of your support! 

    Best wishes,

    Sarah 

  • Behind the scenes of Jacobs Wells Baths

    An update for Jacobs Wells Baths

    Sep 25 2023

    🥁Behind the scenes of Jacobs Wells Baths🥁

    We are on a mission to restore Jacobs Wells Baths and turn the space into a dynamic space for youth, arts, community, and learning. We caught up with CEO Emma Harvey for a unique #behindthescenes look at the building and a catch-up of what the vision is for the future. Click here to watch the tour.
     

    What's happened so far...

    With the condition of the building rapidly declining, we're on a race against time to stop the clock on any further damage. Working with a team of specialists led by Greenwood Projects, we're carrying out detailed surveys to assess the building's condition and delivering a programme of emergency works to give us time needed to raise funds for the full repairs programme.

    So far we've concentrated efforts on the North wing, which has suffered from serious damage due to heavy rain and lack of maintenance over decades. We're clearing blocked gutters and fixing slumped sections to ensure proper drainage and prevent further leaks. We're clearing, repairing and sealing valley gutters and downpipes. To protect what remains of the roof, we're adding a durable membrane to improve waterproofing and prevent any further damage to the fabric and interior space.

    We're actively applying for grant schemes, including the Community Ownership Fund, to deliver a phased repair and renovation scheme and reopen Jacobs Wells Baths as a hub for community, arts, and youth provision by March 2025.

     

  • We bought it!!!

    An update for Help the Stokes Croft Land Trust purchase its first building and bring it into community ownership

    Sep 19 2023

    WE DID IT, WE BOUGHT THE PRSC BUILDING!!!!

    We exchanged contracts on Friday 15th September, so the sale is now legally binding, and will be completed within the next two weeks.

    This is the first piece of Stokes Croft that we've put in community ownership through the Stokes Croft Land Trust!

    THANK YOU to everyone who made this possible!!

    To our 400 members who invested their money, their trust and their hopes in this purchase, to Chris Chalkley and the other truly Angel investors who planted the seeds and nurtured the vision of the Land Trust, and did so much to support this transfer to the community, to the PRSC who bring this wonderful building to life, to the Board who have volunteered hundreds of hours to bring this purchase to completion, and thank you to everyone else who supported and believed in our vision.

    We couldn't have done it without this enormous, amazing community who love Stokes Croft and believe in the power of community.

    This is a huge moment for us, and for Stokes Croft. With this building secured, we're now making our dream a reality: pushing back against the threat of gentrification and corporate takeover of the area, and nurturing the diverse, cultural, rebellious, independent, creative, wonderful place of Stokes Croft.

    This is just the beginning!

  • Invitation: Debut Album Insights Event

    An update for Echo Vocal Ensemble Debut Album

    Sep 12 2023

    Hi all,

    We wanted to send an update on the debut album that you kindly contributed to earlier this year. Thanks to your help, we are all set to record this October, at St Augustine's Church in Kilburn. 

    To celebrate this, we'd like to invite you to a behind-the-scenes, insights event next month on Sunday 8th October, 5pm-6.30pm, at 1901 Arts Club in London, 7 Exton st, SE1 8UE. You'll see us rehearse some of the music from the album, hear more about the whole process and join us for some refreshments.

    If you're keen to attend, send us a message on echovocalensemble@gmail.com by the end of this month and we'll book you in. Just let us know whether you have any dietary requirements and whether you'd like a plus one. 

    Finally, we have added you to our full mailing list for other Echo updates; you are welcome to unsubscribe at any time if that's preferable. 

    Many thanks and look forward to seeing some of you soon!

    Best wishes, Sarah

     

  • You're all awesome!

    An update for Save Our Summer

    Aug 17 2023

    We're feeling very humbled and full of warm fuzzies at your generous outpouring of support - with your help we've smashed past our initial target in less than a week! We're now also over halfway to our stretch target, so please help us spread the word by telling all your friends, sharing this Fundsurfer or liking & sharing our social media posts far and wide.

    One of things your contribution directly supports is The Struggle Continues, a collaborative exhibition championing the success of the Bristol Bus Boycott - the show just opened in our Space, we'll be here until 9pm this eve, then you can visit any day from 12-6pm, up to (and including) Monday 28 August. We've programmed a few creative workshops and a film screening to run alongside it too, find more info here >

    Much love from the team here at PRSC & Stokes Croft China

  • Thank you

    An update for Supporting Afghan families in need

    Apr 13 2023

    We would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported 

     

    We are restructuring Presidium Network and putting together a more comprehensive fundraising model to increase the sustainability of our support so we can support more people in Afghanistan and other crisis zones. 

     

    You will see our new campaigns and new website launch soon explaining more on how we are supporting communities in crisis globally.  

     

    With this money, we have directly sent aid to orphanages, hospitals and helped people live safely in Afghanistan and helped those who needed to seek safe refuge in other countries. 

    All the best

     

    Team Presidium 

  • Film Daily wrote an article about us + 2 DAYS LEFT of our campaign!

    An update for Wild Wild Web3

    Apr 6 2023

    Thanks again for supporting our documentary, it really means a load to us!

    The countdown is on as we now have just 2 days left for people to pledge. Please do share with family, friends and anyone else who you think might be interested in getting involved! Every little bit helps <3 

    Also - earlier this week, Film Daily interviewed us about our film and our journey as filmmakers! Here's the link to the article: https://filmdaily.co/craft/spotlight/wild-wild-web3-lucy-steel-cameron-doig/#

    Lucy & Cameron x

  • Money for 1/2 Drone raised

    An update for Support Sergey in Donbas with Drones

    Apr 2 2023

    Thank you everyone who has donated already.

    I am happy to report we already have reached over 1.000€ - 1/2 of the amount necessary 

    to buy 1 Drone already. Thank you for supporting Sergey and the 81st AirBrigade stationed in Donbas.

    We will share some updates later, when the money has been sent and the Drones have been bought.

    Greetings to everyone 

  • 1 WEEK TO GO! Spread the word <3

    An update for Wild Wild Web3

    Mar 24 2023

    Thank you again to all of our lovely supporters! We've got just 1 MORE WEEK to go on our campaign, so spread the word with family, friends, colleagues, the person sitting next to you on the train... and let's get to our target! 

    Your help is so very much appreciated! 

    Lucy & Cam xo