Recent updates

The latest news from our projects

  • Bristol Magazine features the mission to Save Jacobs Wells Mission

    An update for Jacobs Wells Baths

    Feb 1 2024

  • We've hit 25% of funding on our Fundsurfercampaign!

    An update for Jacobs Wells Baths

    Jan 4 2024

    We've hit 25% of funding on our Fundsurfer campaign!

    Thank you to everyone who has donated to our campaign to restore and reopen Jacobs Wells - with your help, we are one step closer to transforming the former Victorian Baths building into a vibrant community and arts hub.

    We've still got a long way to go, please keep sharing our campaign to spread the word!

    Thanks once again.

     

  • £1m investment means we're one step closer to saving Jacobs Wells

    An update for Jacobs Wells Baths

    Dec 22 2023

    Jacobs Wells – formerly known as Bristol Community Dance Centre in Hotwells – is one step closer to being revived in 2025 following a £1,050,000 grant from The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC) Community Ownership Fund. The investment will help to deliver plans developed in response to a community campaign to transform the derelict space into a vibrant community arts hub.

    Since the start of 2023, the race has been on to save the Grade II listed building following news that Bristol City Council had listed the asset for disposal. Backed by community stakeholders including Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association, artists and local councillors, we set out on a mission to raise the funds needed to repair and restore the building.

    "This is another massive step in a hugely ambitious recovery effort and the Trinity Board would like to extend our huge thanks to DLUHC, match funders and supporters for sharing our vision." Trinity Trustee Dr Fidel Meraz

    This latest investment builds on Bristol City Council's 35-year Community Asset Transfer offer to Trinity and ongoing survey work funded by Nisbet Trust and match funders to assess and scope the repairs scheme and undertake emergency measures to stop further damage.

    The grant from DLUHC matches over £400,000 pledged in support of the project from local funders Nisbet Trust, John James Foundation and match funders including individuals who have been donating to an online Fundsurfer appeal.

    Thank you to everyone who has been part of the mission so far - we still have a way to go to achieve the vision to revive the building and urge people to pledge what they can and be part of the future of Jacobs Wells  

    Click here to find out more.

  • Metro Mayor visits Jacobs Wells

    An update for Jacobs Wells Baths

    Dec 18 2023

    Our plans to transform 19th-century public baths into a community arts venue are “incredibly exciting”, according to Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who commented during unique tour of the building, which has been closed to the public since 2018.

    Jacob Wells in Hotwells was built in 1889 as a bathhouse for the poor until the 1970s, becoming a dance centre right up until 2016 - but has lain empty since then. With the backing of community stakeholders we have been on a mission to repair and restore the building.

    Its restoration will "rebirth" an important part of the community's heritage, according to Mr Norris, who even heard how a natural spring runs in the building's grounds.  During a behind the scenes tour of the building, that has been closed to the public for five years the mayor shared that "it’s really important locals have somewhere for things like doing art, making music and other activities so that we can really make a difference in the same way that this building has made a difference in the past. These plans are incredibly exciting.”

    “I know how passionately local people feel about changing that, and saving the building for community use. Just as it was repurposed back in the 70s - from a bathhouse to a dance studio - with a bit of tender loving care, we can breathe life back into this historic space." - Dan Norris, Metro Mayor for the West of England

    Bristol City’s Council's announced its decision to offer us a 35-year CAT lease earlier this year and are undertaking a detailed series of specialist surveys, funded by the Bristol-based Nisbet Trust and others, as well as undertaking emergency works to halt any further damage to the roof due to water ingress.

    The momentum to restore Jacobs Wells saw 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 listed former dance centre.

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

    The artwork features as a reward for the Jacobs Wells Fundraiser that the charity have launched on the Bristol based FundSurfer platform - click here to donate to the campaign.

  • £1000 milestone met as Deputy Mayor and artist Amy Hutchings visit Jacobs Wells

    An update for Jacobs Wells Baths

    Nov 27 2023

    A massive thank you to Deasy Bamford, Diverse Arts Network, Councillor Craig Cheney, Councillor Paula O'Rouke, Councillor Katy Grant, Rachel from Hotwells and Clifton Community Association, Emma Harvey CEO Trinity Community Arts and artist Amy Hutchings along with other community supporters who came down for the unveiling of new artwork on the outside of Jacobs Wells Baths!

    The momentum continues to build as we hit the £1000 mark over the weekend - meaning we are now at a whopping 20% of our £5000 target - thanks to everyone who has supported so far  - the mission to save this much-loved community space is one step closer.

     

  • £500 milestone met

    An update for Jacobs Wells Baths

    Nov 22 2023

    Amy Hutching's has created a bespoke artwork as part of the appeal to raise funds for Jacob Wells

    Thanks to everyone who has donated to the Fundsurfer so far - we are pleased that we have met our first £500 milestone - that marks 10% of the £5000 total.

    To mark this we are asking people to join us outside Jacobs Wells on 23 Nov 2023 and be part of a group photo - to demonstrate how much community support is behind the mission to repair and restore the building.

     

     

  • 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!