Welcome UWE professor and researcher, Dr Fidel Meraz and Canadian artist, Jonathan Luckhurst, whilst they explore architecture as not only a built space, but as an arena for reimagining more sustainable and inclusive futures.

Jonathan Luckhurst will present Proposals for Reimagined Futures, his current body of work that draws on deep time ecological strategies to suggest how both humans and the Earth might respond to the current environmental crisis. Whilst, Dr Fidel Meraz, will highlight Bristol's local architectural context through his photography and research surrounding the Trinity Art Centre's new location to be housed in the historic Jacob Wells Baths building.

For full artist bios, please click here

Two 20-minute artist presentations will be followed by a live Q&A. The evening concludes with an opportunity to exchange ideas and make new connections.

About Phylum:
Phylum Artist Talks presents artists and designers working at the intersection of ecology, sustainability and social practice. Creatives today play a vital role in bridging the gap between research and positive action. Taking place in Bristol, their programme brings together established and emerging artists to share future-facing projects and explore the most pressing issues of our time.

Submissions:
Phylum is dedicated to including perspectives from as many diverse voices as possible. To register your interest in participating in a future talk, please email Alison here.

Dancer, actor Oscar Anderson is a force of nature in Bristol’s dance scene. Many will know Oscar for his high energy, highly elegant jazz dance performances as part of Bristol’s award-winning dance troupe the Floor Technicians. Others for his much-loved jazz dance classes at Bristol Dance Centre amongst other venues. He is also the longest serving actor in the BBC flagship drama Casualty.

Oscar Anderson in conversation is part of Art of the Possible a series of activities delivered by the Trinity Centre Bristol as part of the restoration of Jacob Wells dance centre.

To register your interest, email info@trinitybristol.org.uk

This event is for swimmers, surfers, sea-lovers, artists, educators and anyone else who loves the ocean. Although they will be celebrating international conservation efforts, the event will primarily focus on research and projects within the UK, highlighting how individuals here can take action.

The first Ocean Advocate Summit in 2025 was a sell-out event, so we recommend booking your ticket early to avoid disappointment! The Ocean Advocate Summit is returning bigger and better, with a new line-up of speakers and exhibitors.

If you have any questions or are interested in speaking or exhibiting please contact here.

Jonathon Porritt is a veteran climate campaigner, advisor and writer, and has consistently highlighted the environmental crisis and its threat to social and ecological justice - over 50 years of constantly looking for solutions.

His newly published, eleventh book, 'Love, Anger & Betrayal', visits the latest generation of climate activists and documents the experiences of 26 insightful young people - his co-authors - who joined Just Stop Oil's Nonviolent Civil Resistance. The book reveals their passion for a just and sustainable transition away from our global economic and cultural dependence on fossil fuels. But who, with the political power, is listening?

The evening includes a book signing with the book on sale.

For more information, please click here

• What should politics look like if it actually worked for ordinary people?
• How will we build the kind of politics we deserve, together?
• What does Your Party’s soon-to-be elected Central Executive leadership model mean for you and your community?

Join Zarah Sultana, Your Party MP, Candi Williams and Mark Gage, Your Party South West Central Executive candidate, and Councillor Grace Lewis for an open and honest conversation about why politics needs to be done differently, why collective leadership and branch power matter, and how we can build something better together.

They’ll talk about what Your Party is doing about this, why community and branches are essential, and how ordinary people can shape a political movement rooted in real life.

There will be plenty of time for questions, discussion, and hearing from you about what matters most in your life and your community.

Whether you’re not that into politics, politically curious, already a Your Party member, or a long-standing socialist, you are welcome.

This is a space to listen, share, question and build together.

Submit a question here and for more information on the event visit here.

Explore a vibrant selection of stalls from local organisations, makers, and artists who support, uplift, and advocate for the trans community.

Throughout the day, you can take part in a programme of workshops and talks designed to educate, empower, and bring people together.

Trans Pride Bristol celebrates the diversity of transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender‑non-conforming people in our city. The Community Day is an open, welcoming space for connection, learning, and celebration, a chance to stand together, share experiences, and highlight the strength and brilliance of Bristol’s trans communities.

For more information about the day visit Trans Pride Bristol's website here.

Club Love are teaming up with Universally challenged to present the Hot Sl*ut Challenge.

A collaborative mess from the minds behind Club Love and Universally Challenged where getting the answer right might be the most boring thing you do all night.

It’s time to get filthy… strategically. Join Bristol’s favourite freaky hosts red & billy for a night of unique challenges, chaos, and carnal knowledge. Think avant-garde. Think round after round of totally unserious, totally unhinged, absolutely essential entertainment.


These evenings exist for a reason: Not everyone connects under strobes. Not every conversation can happen on a dancefloor. So Club Love created something different, a fun and relaxing space, built on connection.

Entry requirements: 20+ - please bring ID.

Everyone is subject to Club love's vibe checks on entry. This is not a cruising event, or a play party. You will be turned away if Club Love feel your intentions are misaligned or your vibe is off.

The Bristolian born DJ/Producer that has been a pivotal key in the UKs music scene, from supporting The Prodigy to DJing at the iconic raves like Universe and Fantasia, and taking the Trip Hop Bristol sound worldwide with Ninja Tunes, Up Bustle & Out, Cridge has lived and breathed the culture and is a very big fan of Irvine Welsh's work from day one. Presented by bookhaus.

Lucy Hawthorne is the facilitator for this session. Lucy’s friendly and engaging style will guide you through meaningful conversations, making sure everyone feels included and has a chance to share their ideas.

In true unconference style, there will be no set agenda beforehand—you shape the conversations. Whether you’re passionate about solving societal challenges through digital innovation or keen to share your ideas on the intersection of tech and social good, this is the space for open, peer-led discussions. Bring your topics, share your experiences, and learn from others in a relaxed and creative atmosphere. For more information please see here.

Key areas of exploration may include:

• Ethical use of AI and emerging technologies
• Building tech solutions for sustainability
• Community-driven digital innovation
• Tackling digital inequality
• Tech’s role in addressing climate change
• And much more, based on your contributions

Everyone is welcome. Tech4Good South West particularly welcome curious charities, non profits, social enterprises and of course the tech sector. No matter your level of expertise or background, whether you’re a tech expert or just curious about how technology can positively impact society, all are welcome. This is your chance to connect, co-create, and inspire one another in a community dedicated to making tech work for good.

Part TED talk, part history lecture, part folk club sing-a-long, part storytelling session… Come and share in these tales as they have been shared for generations.

See here for more information and frequently asked questions page.

• Ever wondered how a quantum particle moves, or how a dancer might move to express it?
• Ever pondered what kind of technology we are really likely to get out of quantum physics and what place there might be for you in achieving that?
• Ever tried to imagine what you’d look like if you could see yourself made up of quantum particles?
• Got a burning question about quantum phenomena you would love to ask an expert working in quantum science and technology?
• Or would you rather see an artist put it to you in different terms?

To celebrate the UNESCO International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and mark World Quantum Day, we invite you to join for a day of all things quantum in science, technology, art and dance.

The day includes talks, a panel discussion, workshops, an exhibition including all sorts from interactive quantum art to careers information and quantum inspired dance theatre. With representatives from the University of Bristol’s research community, the quantum industry, and arts and culture this is the place to really discover quantum.

Join three amazing women as they share their journey's in celebration of International Women's Day:

• How to Bravely keep going when you fail, and fail again with Claire Dormand.
• Go Bold: Mastering the Confidence to Raise Your Rates, talk and interactive workshop with Laura Callahan.
• Don’t let Bonkers headlines put you off investing, with Susannah Streeter.

And also enjoy..

• Speed networking and low carbon action plan activity, with partners at BrisBES
• Food, from The Jamacian Hideway - A delicious meal including brown stew chicken or chickpea and potato curry, all served with rice coleslaw, sweetcorn fritters, BBQ fry wings and broccoli salad.
• Get a Professional Headshot at Brave Bold and Bonkers. Adèle of SuperFunkyPenguin Photo + Video will be joining us at this year’s International Women’s Day event.

Spaces are limited, so don't miss out, sign up now. This is an opportunity to experience the Freelance Mum network and community, get to know members from across the hubs, in a meaningful way. With icebreakers and activities, its a great way to build your network and grow your business.

Join Voscur and friends for Unlocking Social Enterprise Opportunities 2025. This free event will inspire and equip you with the tools and knowledge to take your charity or CIC to the next level on your social enterprise journey.

You will be joined by expert speakers from local community organisations, who will be hosting workshops on a range of topics, as well as stalls from local agencies, time for networking and information on social investment opportunities.

Schedule
9.15 – 9.30 Arrival & refreshments
9:30 – 9:45 Welcome
9.45 – 10.30 Workshop 1 & 2
10.30 – 11.00 Networking & refreshments
11.00 – 11:30 Presentation
11.30 – 12.15 Workshop 3 & 4
12.15 – 13.00 Reflections, networking & close
13.00 – 14.00 Optional lunch (see below)

x-church in Gainsborough

As the push continues to #SaveJWB, we look back to Trinity's 2018 Heart & Soul project and our series of talks where both national and international speakers shared their knowledge and experience on the positives and pitfalls of re-imaging historic buildings. In this blog we invited Marcus Hammond, curator of x-church - a community space in Gainsborough, like no other - to come and share its story...

Over a million bricks hold together the love and forward-thinking acceptance of x-church. Marcus Hammond

Marcus Hammond bought a church building in 2006 and the night before he received the keys, the window got bricked. Therefore the first few days of his ownership were spent fixing the windows, and during this time he left the doors open. Children and young people walked right in and started playing in the space. This has lasted 12 years so far. ‘Now’, he said, ‘the building is almost incidental’.

It was interesting to learn that in the same way as the children wandering in, a lot of x-church’s journey happened almost accidentally: the building was described by someone as built in a slum-gothic way, and as well as enjoying the playful amalgamation of two words, Hammond and what was becoming a small team of volunteers decided it would be the name of a youth project.

x-church is host to many successful visual art installations

Physically building a place is hard but assembling the people is harder

They created a small dome structure for Slumgothic within the huge church space in which young people’s music and band practice can be contained. Immediately Hammond was building relationships with young people with total acceptance of who they are as individuals. Over time these relationships led to so much mutual respect that Marcus handed out keys to the front door. This helped with practical things such as not having to be there to unlock, but also gives the young people a sense of ownership of the building. With a mixture of surprise and pride, Hammond said, ‘So far, nothing bad has happened.’

The bare-brick architecture has become x-church’s strength and therefore not much has been added to make it more than a vast empty space. Marcus’s view is that physically building a place is hard but assembling the people is harder. For example, Mukhat Dar is open about his poignant story of how not all arts spaces end up in success as he reflects on The Drum Arts Centre (The Life & Death of an Arts Centre).

The x-church team like it when someone comes in and has a grand plan for an exhibition, show or event to hold there, and x-church is welcoming to almost all ideas. In a community like Gainsborough there is not an active interest in art or culture but x- church’s practice of ‘inconveniencing people with art’ proves that if you take it to the people they will engage.

From blocking out all the windows with card in order to turn x-church into a camera obscura to holding 24 hours of drumming for Syria, lots of events and exhibitions have taken place at x-church, some instigated by the young people and some by external artists. ‘Increasingly at x-church', according to Marcus, 'people don’t have a fear of making a fool of themselves.’ I agree wholeheartedly that there is a lot to be said for creating a space in which young people can take risks. In a time when young people are called upon to be available at all times via phones, it is increasingly important to allow freedom in other parts of their lives to benefit their wellbeing and independence.

Through loads of conversations and shared experiences, the lives of individuals and the Slumgothic community has been immeasurably touched. From what I heard at the talk, x-church is an inspiring example of what could be happening to benefit young people all over the world. Over a million bricks hold together the love and forward-thinking acceptance of x-church, but Marcus is not precious about what happens to the physical building, instead it is the people that matter. 'If the building collapsed we could just relocate somewhere else. Even to a field.'

This write up was by Tess Sieling, who was the project intern on the Heart & Soul heritage project. The talk was part of a series exploring the challenges and achievements of transforming and preserving historic buildings and was programmed in collaboration with Bristol's Architecture Centre and the University of West England (UWE).

How to get involved

Click here to sign the Hotwells and Cliftonwood petition to Save Jacobs Wells Baths

Further reading

Read more from our Heart & Soul talk series - Father Paul, Fidel Meraz and Dr Katie McClymont

Read more about the Save Jacobs Wells Campaign here.

Father Paul moved to Bristol in his 20's and is well loved in St Pauls @Khali Ackford

Before Father Paul’s talk I did not know much about him and his life in Bristol, but afterwards it was clear that he is regarded as family by the community in which he serves.

As the push continues to #SaveJWB, we look back to Trinity's 2018 Heart & Soul project and our series of talks where both national and international speakers shared their knowledge and experience on the positives and pitfalls of re-imaging historic buildings. In this blog we reflect on Father Paul's talk the re-purposing of churches as community spaces.

On the evening of Tuesday 29th May 2018, we were very grateful to Father Paul who stepped in to cover the planned speaker who was unfortunately unwell. He appeared an unconventional priest, wearing camouflage combat trousers and a shirt, very much living up to the talk title ‘Rebel Conformist’.

Before Father Paul’s talk I did not know much about him and his life in Bristol, but afterwards it was clear that he is regarded as family by the community in which he serves. He has touched the lives of a lot of people in Bristol, particularly the St Paul’s area where he has lived and worked most of his life.

Father Paul talked about the need for the church to respond to contemporary issues @Khali Ackford

Father Paul wants to be able to conduct these ceremonies and to celebrate love without judgement. He told many anecdotes about individuals from the community where he has worked, mostly to show that, "where there is life, there is hope".

Heart & Soul project coordinator, Dr Edson Burton, gave a warm introduction to Father Paul. Several audience members as well as Dr Burton clearly hold him in great affection, indicative of the widespread impact Father Paul has had over the years. In a childhood anecdote, Father Paul remembers growing up in Pontypridd, Wales, wishing he had a brother to play with as he only had one sister. Not until his twenties when he had moved to Bristol and settled in St Paul’s did he realise he was lucky enough to be surrounded by many many brothers and sisters now.

Father Paul started by talking about gay marriage, and the fact that in Wales and Scotland you can have a gay marriage in church, supported by the Church. However in England although you can have a civil partnership or gay marriage, you still cannot conduct these ceremonies as a vicar in a church. It saddens him that there is nothing in the wedding hymn book dedicated to LGBTQ marriage. Father Paul wants to be able to conduct these ceremonies and to celebrate love without judgement. He told many anecdotes about individuals from the community where he has worked, mostly to show that, "where there is life, there is hope".

On many occasions people have gone to Father Paul for help and he has been a huge support throughout the community. These pillars of the community that have not faded despite the move towards communities being started or maintained by technological means.

A lot of people fear that the sense of community relying on face to face contact is being lost due to societal changes- we all spend more time looking at screens. However, Father Paul is an example that where there are people living together in an area, there will always be community leaders and supporters, no matter the advances in technology. It is our human nature.

Many local residents attended Father Paul's talk @Khali Ackford

He says; "Things fit together in ways I don’t always understand but don’t object to." I enjoyed Father Paul’s talk because it shed light on the positive influence one person can have in a community. Tess Sieling, project intern

After Father Paul’s talk, he invited a friendly discussion within the group. We moved on to explore what is the role of the Church now? Is it to serve the spirit or to serve the law? There seems to be an openness particularly in Bristol and other large UK cities that is calling for the Church to serve the spirit. In contemporary society, issues that need addressing and the nature of human struggles have been changing, so there is a need for the Church to serve them in an equally contemporary way.

Perhaps a testament to Father Paul’s openness is the fact that at one stage, he was visiting a convicted murderer in prison in Cardiff while also planning the victim’s funeral in Bristol. He says; "Things fit together in ways I don’t always understand but don’t object to." I enjoyed Father Paul’s talk because it shed light on the positive influence one person can have in a community.

This write up was by Tess Sieling, who was the project intern on the Heart & Soul heritage project. The talk was part of a series exploring the challenges and achievements of transforming and preserving historic buildings and was programmed in collaboration with Bristol's Architecture Centre and the University of West England (UWE).

How to get involved

Click here to sign the Hotwells and Cliftonwood petition to Save Jacobs Wells Baths

Further reading

Read more from our Heart & Soul talk series - Dr Katie McClymont, Fidel Meraz and A Million Bricks of Love.

Read more about the Save Jacobs Wells Campaign here.