After 3 years of running volunteer drop-ins The Trinity Community Garden is now running an inclusive programme of workshops that will respond to the needs of our diverse communities. We believe the project will have a positive focus creating a sense of well-being, achievement and cohesion in the community.

The Big Lottery Fund distributes half of the National Lottery good cause funding across the UK. The support for the this project comes from the Awards for All programme which aims to enable others to make real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.

The award received will allow us to deliver a series of weekly organic gardening and cooking sessions, providing a safe controlled space where a variety of local groups will gain hands-on experience in the garden. The workshops will include: cooking a variety of dishes from the veg growing in a simple outdoor kitchen (to be built); learn about the benefits of wild plants and herbal first aid; seed sowing and saving; companion planting; how to tend and care for fruit and vegetables; crop rotation and soil fertility.

Participants will include women from minority ethnic communities (BME) who have experienced domestic violence and people who are affected by mental health issues. Groups of participants will include Awaz Utaoh Asian's Women group, Wild Goose, Rethink & Terrence Higgins service users.

We have been collecting feedback from some of these groups regarding the need for the project and RETHINK said: “there has been a clear need displayed by our clients for an outdoor gardening group that focuses on developing skills, widening social networks and encouragement towards volunteer opportunities”. It's Awaz Utaoh's opinion that gardens bring different cultures and generations together, improving individual and community confidence, bridging the divide between ethnic, political and socio-economic groups. Terrance Higgings Trust said that "it's important for HIV positive people to have a healthy diet; this project will benefit their health and social outlook".

Workshops will be held between May-November 2012. When the project is over, the participants will be confident enough to take ownership of the space and make it a welcoming place for the local community.

Sustainable building

In addition to the gardening workshops Trinity are seeking people interested in sustainable building to initiate the outdoor kitchen that will complement this project.

The building of the outdoor kitchen will run as separate workshops, 3 days a week for 6 weeks. We have selected an experienced workshop leader to run this workshops who has successfully run similar projects in other areas. These sessions will provide open, drop-in access for the wider community and will be appropriate for all levels, with the aim of encouraging people to become more active in their community.

How to get involved

To register your interest in the project or sustainable building workshops, contact Charlie or Pete info@3ca.org.uk 0117 9351200 or join the volunteer drop-in days on Wednesdays from 12pm to 5pm, May to November 2012.

As stories are something that inspire, define and unite us all, Trinity Community Arts are inviting people of Bristol to step up and offer their story for an exciting new project that will span the whole city. The Arts Council funded Bridges Project will get going with a series of arts workshops for people of all ages at the Trinity Centre, which will later feed in to an innovative and ambitious performance trail across Bristol in 2013.

The workshops will offer people the chance to explore their story in a whole new way. Trinity are commissioning an impressive array of professional artists, who inspired by the stories will work with people in mediums such as art, dance, music, poetry and writing, to create original performance and artwork.

Edson Burton, Project Outreach Worker, said: “The aim of the Bridges Project is to bring people together to produce original artworks based on their life stories and experiences. This is a great opportunity for people - both artists and novices - to get together, share stories, meet new friends and have their work shown as part of a professional arts exhibition.”

“Workshops are open to everyone and we would particularly like to work with people who may not usually get involved with an arts activity - older people, young people, old and new communities – we want everyone to get involved - as everyone has a story to tell.”

Workshops will be held between June-August 2012 and all work will be displayed in an exhibition in September 2012. The work and stories will also be adapted as part of a final theatre performance due to happen in Spring 2013.

Stories

In addition to the workshops Trinity are seeking people who simply have a story to tell.  We are looking for stories exploring the theme 'Bridges' in a literal or metaphorical sense.

Nick Young, Artistic Director for the project explains: “The stories could be about a journey from one place to another, about bridging communities and cultures, or a turning point in someone's life. Stories can be fun, light, dark, magical or real - we will weave together different stories to create the plot for the final show next year which will use the city of Bristol as the stage.”

Stories shared should be no more than one side of A4 paper in length and story tellers can choose to remain anonymous.

How to get involved

To register your interest in the project workshops or share your story, contact Edson or Nick bridges@3ca.org.uk 0117 9351200 or drop into the Trinity Office.

Workshops cost £30 to take part in the full programme. Workshops are free for participants who qualify for concessions (young people 18 and under, unemployed people, people on benefits, older people +65). We welcome inquiries from community groups as well as individuals. Unless otherwise specified workshops will be held at Trinity.

About the Project

The Bridges Project is our latest community arts project, funded by the Arts Council - A programme of accessible arts workshops using spoken word, creative writing, performing and visual arts, to draw out personal stories of local people. We will use the arts to build bridges between communities and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of inner-city Bristol.A

ALL WELCOME to participate!

आपका स्वागत हैं।   Ahlan'wa sahla   歡迎   Bienvenue   欢迎   Bienvenido   স্বাগতম   Merhaba   خوش آمدید   Soo Dhawow   સ્વાગત   Witamy   خوش آمدید   Xwesh hatin   ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ

• embed learning and effective practice in host and partner organisations
• improve the standards of music delivery for children and young people
• develop the creative, expressive and musical ability of children and young people
• improve self-efficacy (i.e. self-esteem, skills, engagement and confidence) and resilience to challenging circumstances

We will work with young people across the academic year, providing open drop-in music sessions in addition to more structured learning through which we will provide Rock School accreditations.

Through our existing training programme, Trinity targets young people aged 16-18 years not in education, employment or training (NEET). Thanks to Youth Music, Trinity will also be able to work with the following groups as part of  the Youth Music Makers Project:

• Young people under 16 who have been excluded/are at risk of exclusion - we will work with young people who are referred to us who have been temporarily or permanently excluded from school to help them regain focus through music.

• Young people aged 16-18 who face elevated risk of exclusion - we will work with those who may be struggling in a mainstream learning environment to stay focused and engaged in learning through accessing a music making.

We will also be able to work with a small number of young people over the age of 18 who have been out of the learning or employment for considerable time due and have additional  learning needs.

The project will run between 2012-2014. Keep an eye on the project area of our website for more info. If you are interested in taking part in the project or would like to refer someone, please contact training@3ca.org.uk

Earlier this year we put out a call for artists to run workshops on the Bridges Project. We were inundated with fun, clever, stunning, intricate and audacious ideas. Choosing our final artists was harder than whittling down contestants in the Voice (let's forget Britain's Got Talent!). We hope to continue to work with the artists that were not selected giving support where possible and or in partnership.

We want you!

Having selected our lucky artists we will be running a series of workshops in:

• Middle Eastern Dance with Medea Mahdavi
• Folk dance with a African/Caribbean Flava with Cleo Lake
• Poetry and Prose with Andrew McMillan
• Cutting edge technology meets art with Stand and Stare
• Sculptures using recycled materials with Refab Arts
• Installation art with Marina Moreno
• Song/Music -(various artists)

Workshops will take place between June – August 2012 year, more details to follow.

Tell your story using art

All workshops will be focused on creating original work, based on your stories. The outcome of the workshops will be exhibited and/or performed in Autumn 2012 and in a final show to preview Spring 2013.

Who can take part?

Anyone.

Trinity is a fully inclusive organisation.

No prior experience necessary for any of the workshops.

To help us fine tune times please could you register the days and times that you absolutely can't make or any other access requirements you have.

Register NOW!

If you would like to register for one or more of our workshops please contact Edson or Nick on bridges@3ca.org.uk , call 0117 935 1200 or drop into the Trinity Office.

*Sessions are free upon application to our bursary scheme or charged at a nominal fee. Contact us for more details.

Emma Harvey, Centre Manager for the Centre said, “Thanks to a Development Grant from the Big Lottery Fund we will, over the next six months, consult with as many people as possible from Easton, Ashley, Lawrence Hill and also the wider City, in order to canvas opinion about how people would like to see the Centre developed in order to better meet people's needs.”

Trinity has already secured a separate £80,000 grant from English Heritage to carry out a Roof Repair and Feasibility Study Project. The Big Lottery Fund Development Grant will compliment this and allow Trinity to carry out essential community consultation with a focus on the best way to develop the Centre to encourage a wider use.

The Centre, is already a highly used community centre and is famed as one of the few remaining independent live music venues in the country. Trinity was birthplace of 'The Bristol Sound' and has a strong cultural heritage. The Centre has seen performances from Massive Attack and The Prodigy and U2 and, more recently, The Gorillaz, Duran Duran and the Horrors, to name but a few.

The Centre also hosts several of Bristol's favourite groups and classes - Hype Urban Dance Troupe, Bristol Samba Band, Zumba, Awaz Utoah, the Misfits and Link Age. Trinity also runs a range of community activities, functions and projects, including a training programme for young people not in education or employment.

Originally a popular church, the building was converted into a community centre in 1987. The conversion has many shortcomings in the internal layout that need to be addressed to allow for greater usage. The building is set in generous grounds that need extensive work to improve access and visibility. The roof is in urgent need of repair and will be addressed with the upcoming works funded by English Heritage.

Emma said, “Despite the size of the building, the poor appearance mean people often don't even know we're here offering space for the community.”

Trinity will be working closely with Bristol City Council and the Ethical Property Foundation as part of the project, and Bristol based gcp Chartered Architects will lead on the project from design through to any capital work.

Emma said, “We want to hear from anyone with an opinion about Trinity - good, bad or indifferent - so that we can ensure any development of the building is in line with what people want.”

This is an amazing opportunity for the people of Bristol to get behind one of the City's most loved venues and create a real focal point for the locality.

Emma said, “We want the opportunity to provide better quality space to the people of Bristol – to do that we need people to get involved and tell us what they think. We will be able to invest in people's ideas for the Centre, through securing further funding, if this part of the project is successful.”

If you are interested in having your say about this project please contact info@3ca.org.uk.

About the Trinity Centre - Trinity Community Arts is a charity formed to manage the Trinity Centre in Lawrence Hill Bristol. Our mission is to engage the local community of all ages in imaginative and socially inclusive projects. The Trinity Centre was built between 1829-1832 by architects Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson and is a Grade II* Listed converted church, deconsecrated in 1976. The building has remained in community use till this day, and has a restrictive covenant placed on it by the Church ensuring it is only used for Youth, Arts, Community and Education purposes.

As a consequence Trinity Community Arts applied for and has been granted funding from English Heritage to carry out an Architectural Feasibility Study and undertake emergency roof repairs.

Trinity Community Arts has appointed Project Manager Mark Gundry from Bristol City Council to manage the delivery of the project, with lead architects gcp Chartered Architects and Simon Cartlidge a conservation accredited architect who previously worked with Trinity as part of the 2009 Conditions Survey.

The Trinity Centre is a community arts centre and independent music venue run by Trinity Community Arts - a not-for-profit charity group operating in the heart of three of the most ethnically diverse and economically deprived wards in the City of Bristol - Easton, Ashley and Lawrence Hill. The Trinity Centre is held by Trinity Community Arts on a lease from Bristol City Council and is protected by a covenant, placed on it by the Church, outlining it can only be used for Youth, Arts, Community and Education purposes.

Since the church was made redundant most of the internal fittings have been removed and a floor inserted near the top of the tall nave arcade. Consent was granted for the repair and conversion of the building in 1987, including the installation of the mezzanine floor by Bristol City Council.

The project forms part of a wider programme of renovation and development works which Trinity is currently seeking funding for, to help improve space for both existing and potential new users.

Support Trinity's Roof Repair Appeal.

During 2011 a number of additional Directors were recruited in order to strengthen the governance of the organisation. The enlarged Board is busy settling in and has recently held two “away days” in order to assess how best to operate in order to serve Trinity.

One long awaited success has been gaining charitable status for Trinity. This is important because it will enable us to access a wider range of potential funds and to achieve greater financial stability. As part of this initiative we have set up a trading company to operate our non charitable activities, with all surpluses gifted to the charity.

For the first time we have been awarded a grant from the Arts Council - £65,000 for the Bridges Project - an important recognition of the high quality work being delivered at Trinity. The Bridges project will provide a programme of accessible arts workshops using spoken word, creative writing, performing and visual arts, to draw out personal stories of local people and to use the arts to build bridges between communities and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of inner-city Bristol.

We are working very closely with English Heritage as part of ongoing repairs to the roof, assisted by project management skills from Bristol City Council. The Council have also committed to a 35 year lease through their Community Asset Transfer Policy. We are very grateful for the assistance of all our partners.

Our newest venture in West Street is nearly ready to be launched, with building works almost complete and enthusiastic volunteers exploring how best to use all the new facilities.

This is a very exciting time to be involved with Trinity. I’m delighted to be able to report positive progress on so many fronts. I look forward to even more progress in 2012 and in subsequent years.

Check out our Annual Report for more information.

The project is a visual and performing arts project exploring the theme "bridges". Throughout the project we will be working with local people to share stories and create artworks together.

We will look at barriers dividing inner-city Bristol - including physical barriers such as the M32 as well as cultural and language differences - and the bridges communities create to overcome these. Working with different art forms, we will help people in the community to share their stories, through language, images and interactions.

During collaborative workshop sessions, participants will be supported by professional artists from a range of backgrounds to develop their own individual projects using different mediums, so that their story can be told through multiple media. Individuals will be encouraged to share work with their communities and the wider city. We will work with people to create performances, an exhibition and a booklet celebrating the rich diversity of inner-city Bristol. The project will culminate in a large-scale final performance in the beginning of 2013 inspired by the stories and works produced throughout the year.

The project will be led by Edson Burton, an acclaimed writer of both literate and script who worked with us on the recent What's Your Trinity Story? Project, and Nick Young, who delivered our sell-out performance At Tether's End as part of the Bristol Sound Project in 2008.

We will be launching a full programme of activities in the new year. If you would like any further information about the project, please contact edson@3ca.org.uk or sign up to our e-newsletter for updates.

He is influenced by Neyo, Usher, Dot Rotten, D Double to name but a few. Dinnall currently works with us part time as a music mentor, providing support to other younger artists as part of our Music Training Programme.

The track, Love 4 You is currently being featured on 100% Homegrown as Target's selection for Unsigned Track Of The Week. The station promotes new black British music, every Sunday courtesy of BBC Radio 1Xtra.

To check out the track and download visit: BBC Radio 1Xtra - Homegrown

The event is part of a week long programme of free arts and community activities that will encourage participants to pay the good deed forward and give something back to their community.

The expression "pay it forward" - inspiring a novel, a social movement and a film - is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead, essentially giving forward instead of back.

With the Royal Wedding on it's way, we'll be dusting off our bunting and getting our picnic baskets at the ready for some wedding themed fun with an alternative twist. In true Trinity style we will be doing things our own way and focusing on bringing people together and giving our diverse, vibrant communities a day of music, dancing and celebration the only way we know how. The event will be by the people, for the people, with what people want.

Hosted for FREE at the Trinity Centre ,we will be working together to provide a range of activities for all ages including an Indoor & Outdoor Fun Day with a variety of arts, games and musical fun, a Wedding of Mass Distraction service where you can come dress up and get "married" in our beautiful upstairs hall to a lover, friend, or stranger and a Magic Lantern Secret Film Screening.

If you are interested in getting involved or for more information contact info@3ca.org.uk

Over two years, the project saw us bringing older and young people together to produce a series of artworks exploring themes around different generations and cultures, funded by the Quartet Community Foundation.

“We don't get any visitors so it is really nice to see young people – we don't really have any activities here and there is not full-time warden so it was nice to create an activity that we can meet the community”. Elder participating in Project Respect, 2010

Project Respect 2008

During the first phase on the project in 2008, we created a mural in the Trinity Gardens.

A group of young people from a range of ethic and cultural backgrounds studying English at the Bristol Academy worked with groups of Elders from Upper Horfield Community Trust, The Golden Ages from Easton Church and local residents from Knightstone Housing Association and the St Pauls area.
These unique workshops are designed to provide a safe space for two generations to meet, share experiences and create artwork together.

Local artist Victoria Appleton who will be delivering the next programme of workshops said; “We are looking at the role of Elders in other societies and in the UK, exploring beliefs and concerns about older and young people.”

Project Respect 2010

As part of the second intergenerational project in 2010, over 30 participants contributed across the programme – this included volunteers who are unemployed and were looking to gain skills and meet new people.

The biggest achievement was getting two very disparate groups together – older people who were white British with young people from a range of cultures and backgrounds, some of whom didn't speak English. It helped both the young people develop their language skills and the older people to gain a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing asylum and refugee seeking communities.

What worked particularly well with this project in comparison to past years was we took the young people to work with older people residing in Brunel Care Home in St Georges. While this posed many new challenges, this also meant that we worked with older people who were otherwise not engaged at all with any community activity, unlike past groups of older people we worked with who were already engaged with organised social meeting groups.

The main benefit was the improved communication skills and a better understanding of each others cultures. It gave the older people a chance to share their memories and talk about their experiences and allowed the young people to feel valued and accepted within their new home country.

The community will benefit from the legacy of the project and through other activities shaped alongside this proven model. The prints produced will be on permanent display in Trinity's new lobby area, which will create an improved sense of what Trinity's role is within the area and give a sense that this is an open and inclusive environment.

We are also keen to facilitate activities led by local people and groups so please get in touch if you would like to run an activity of your own in this week. Other groups and businesses are invited to join in and provide their own free fun - anyone can submit what they are doing to be included in our Pay It Forward programme and promotional material.

Individuals attending events during the week will be encouraged to pay the good deed forward.

From random acts of kindness and guerrilla gardening, to running a group activity or volunteering - a range of ideas to inspire individuals, schools and groups will be made available online as a resource pack available for download.

For more information contact us via email or phone.