Understory, credit: Alastair Brookes

We are working in collaboration with Bristol School of Art to offer adult learning courses for adults living within Trinity's locality. The courses are an opportunity for adults to learn and build upon creative, employment and job related skills.

The first of these course focusses on Arts & Crafts and life skills will take place over 15-weeks and will lead to a competency-based qualification - all designed to promote progression into education and employability. This will be through by exploring core transferable skills including speaking and listening, ESOL and digital skills.

"We're looking forward to working with Trinity to bring creative educational opportunities to the local community where we hope to inspire and support learners in our friendly, inclusive environment". Lynette Evans, Bristol School of Art, Art Lecturer

The idea for the courses were first developed during the Spring of 2024 where we collaborated with Bristol School of Art to deliver a ten-week Creativity in Nature for Wellbeing course in our community garden. We shared the opportunity with local groups, partners and through out Community Connectors.  People who took part in the sessions fed back that they built confidence, met new people and felt at ease in exploring creativity in a familiar environment.

Following the success of this  Bristol School of Art offered a 10-week art course, providing taster sessions in a range of art forms, for participants to build confidence and understanding in different approaches, and the opportunities to develop and follow their interests as the course progresses.

Through this research and development we have now created a regular programme of adult learning and education to meet local need and addresses health, wellbeing and educational inequalities. Working with cross-sector partners we will strengthen recruitment and progression opportunities and co-design a new employability framework - identifying key competencies to further progression.

Find out more about our community programme and explore upcoming events here.

Trinity is committed to creating opportunities for people to gain access to the arts industry and gain experience in the creative sector, particularly amongst groups with lower representation in the arts industry.

“At Trinity the opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration are massive. I’ve learned so much being here that I wouldn’t have at other venues” Aysha, Event Production Coordinator

Many of our permanent team members initially joined Trinity on an internship. Aysha, Trinity’s Production Coordinator, started her journey at Trinity in 2019 on a three-month internship. A role was created to suit both Aysha’s skill-set and the needs of Trinity. Trinity feels that this individually focused approach to hiring staff leads to more meaningful, fulfilling employment, and means that employees are in roles that best suit their skills, experience and long-term ambitions.

Like many members of Team Trinity, Aysha was offered a permanent contract after the end of her internship, moving into the role of Production Coordinator, and having additional responsibilities such as line management.  Further to this Aysha is part of a city-wide campaign to create safer environments for everyone to enjoy nightlife in the city.

Trinity believes strongly that investment in staff is one of the most effective ways to democratise employment in the arts industry.

We are working in partnership with South Bristol Youth (SBY) to provide opportunities for KS4 students to experience insights into working in the creative sectors as part of their 'insight into apprenticeship' initiative.

We also became an accredited Living Wage organisation and have created opportunities for young people to develop skills in the creative sector. Through the Kickstarter scheme we offered entry-level roles to nine individuals including CPD, training and mentorship for young people to gain paid experience in the cultural sector including in event production, marketing and communications and operations.

Over ¼ of employees who start at Trinity on internships go on to stay as permanent members of staff. By offering both secure and meaningful employment alongside opportunities to progress and develop a career in the sector, Trinity can help ensure that careers in the creative industry are a viable option for everyone.

A fantastic evening of entertainment with BAFTA award-winning actress Miriam Margolyes OBE. A unique chance to see one of the UK's most prolific performers in the beautiful and intimate setting of Trinity's Fyfe Hall.

Miriam is an impressively versatile performer and storyteller, with a love of all things Dickens. Known for her roles in the Harry Potter movies, Blackadder and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, the marvellous Miriam Margolyes also performs widely across the UK and Australia, in her one-woman such as Dickens' Women - in which she plays 23 different roles (men and women) from Dickens' books - and The Importance Of Being Miriam.

Recently returning from filming in Jaipur, India, Miriam will be performing in Bristol for one-night only, in support of Trinity Community Arts, bringing her unique style of entertainment to the city and helping to raise funds toward our youth training programme.

Read a review of Miriam's recent show: The Importance of Being Miriam (April 2015, by Diana Simmonds)

Mince pies and mulled wine available.

Doors: 7pm - Tickets: £18 adv (£16 concessions) - Seated performance.

Fundraiser in aid of Trinity Community Arts - funds raised will go toward supporting Trinity's youth training programme.

Photo: Kyte Photography

Come down and let loose while supporting Bristol's independent media.

This is a family-friendly event with a creche and kids activities to keep attendees of all ages busy.

From 5pm -8pm their will be, food, a live podcast recording, and activities, community stalls and a collage making workshop in The Den, and from 8pm onwards, the dancing begins with DJ sets in the upstairs Fyfe Hall space.

Set in our historic grounds this family friendly day will have creative arts workshops, performances from local and emerging artists and activities for children and young people.

Featuring:

• live music and performances
• youth programme performances
• workshops for all ages
• shop local: featuring a fantastic mix of stalls
• local food vendors

Are you interested in volunteering with us, please head to our volunteer page to find out more.

Stall applications are now open, applications will close on Mon 18 Aug 2025

Access - if you have access requirements please let one of our team know how we can help.

Play your part in Trinity's future and support events like Garden Party, with a suggested donation of £3 per person.

Please note that no alcohol and no dogs can be brought on site. Bag searches will take place.

About Trinity Presents

This is part of Trinity Presents - our in-house programme of music and performance, bringing world-class artists and emerging talent to inner-city audiences.

We’re reflecting on the energy and creativity shared at last week’s launch of Freedom 25: Poetic Placards & Billboards, Trinity’s contribution to the national Our Freedom: Then & Now programme led by Future Arts Centres. The project brings together 60 arts centres and libraries across the UK to mark 80 years since VE/VJ Day and explore what freedom means today.

Over the past four months, participants from across Bristol, including local residents, refugee and asylum-seeking communities, and Caribbean Elders, have taken part in creative writing sessions with Bristol City Poet, Sukina Noor, and Heritage Curator, Dr Edson Burton. These conversations and workshops uncovered personal reflections, memories and hopes, forming the foundation for a series of autumn printmaking sessions led by visual artist Sonja Burniston.

Their incredible work is on display in Trinity’s Graffiti Room November 2025 as part of a new exhibition of poetic placards and prints. Alongside this, a large-scale Billboard Art installation was unveiled last week in Old Market Community Garden, created in partnership with Build Hollywood and inspired directly by the words and ideas shared throughout the project.

Speaking after the celebration event, Jen, Trinity’s Arts Engagement Manager, said:

“Seeing participants find their voices reflected publicly was incredibly moving. This project has shown how creativity can build confidence, connection and a genuine sense of belonging.”

The launch brought together participants, artists, partners and supporters to mark the culmination of this collaborative journey and to celebrate Bristol’s rich tapestry of voices exploring what freedom means to our communities.

Artist Sonja reflected on her experience working with participants, saying:

"I think this project is really exciting and so important right now! It’s happening in art centres and libraries, places where people can come together to share and tell their stories. These gatherings help us feel connected and remind us that we’re not just shouting into the void or quietly holding onto our thoughts in a world that often seems a bit chaotic due to global politics."

Sonja continues:

"It’s comforting to realise there are others out there who share our beliefs and values. Without these spaces and moments to talk about what really matters, it can feel pretty lonely. I’ve found it really special to be with others who get it. We’re all allies in wanting freedom for each other, and it’s wonderful to advocate for that together!"

Please check out the Our Freedom film to experience these powerful reflections on freedom, identity and community.

Over 12 weeks children and families from local school Hannah More primary took part Trinity’s ‘Art Club’ project, in partnership with Take A Part. During one session we headed down to Hannah More to chat with the children and families to ask them what they thought of 'Art Club', press play above to hear what they had to say!

"When I was their age, we didn't get the possibility to draw - we couldn't afford it" Baktiar and Asenat's Mum

In total 25 children and families came along to ‘Art Club’. During the sessions they explored different art-forms, such as clay making, model making using with different types of art materials.

The group also went on ‘go see’ visits to arts organisations and museums in the city. This included a trip to see the Grayson Perry exhibition in the Bristol Museum and a visit to the newly established arts organisations 'St Anne’s House' where they met resident artist Rachel Clarke.

‘Art Club’ is a Trinity commission, delivered by Take a Part in partnership with Hannah More Primary and made possible through funding from the Cultural Recovery Fund

MX Centre, St Paul's has provided a vital base for localised COVID19 services

"I think its very important for a city to have range of arts and community spaces, suitable for a wide range of music and events and accessible to all. There shouldn’t be a hierarchy but rather an understanding that different conditions are needed to present a full symphony orchestra and chorus, an experimental jazz session or a poetry slam. These events all have their own particular economics, what is important is that they are all the best they can be - exciting, empowering and inspiring. Bristol needs and deserves all of this." Louise Mitchell, Chief Executive, Bristol Beacon

Trinity believes in the power of shared space. That’s why we’ve launched ‘100 beacons’, to shine a light some of Bristol’s most loved community buildings and spaces and build a collective case for capital investment in the city’s youth, community and cultural assets.

Bristol Beacon is not the only asset owned by us. Bristol City Council’s property portfolio consists of over 1,500 properties; approximately 250 community spaces such as libraries, parks and leisure centres and 117 concessionary lettings including scout huts, youth clubs, community farms and centres such as St Werburghs, Filwood and Harcliffe.

Whether it’s the park you walk in, the library you read in, the community centre you meet in, or the youth club you learn in, the chances are this space is owned by the local authority.

The condition of these buildings and spaces vary greatly. One of these spaces is Malcolm X Community Centre, based in the heart of St Pauls. Born out of the St. Paul's Uprising of April 2, 1980, MX Centre has survived the storms to remain a much-needed space serving the local community throughout the pandemic - most recently as a COVID19 pop-up clinic, vaccinating 200 people in one weekend.

However, as this statement from the Centre's Board of Trustees outlines, this space is in desperate need for financial investment:

"MX Centre is crying out for some TLC - essential repairs would cost a fraction of £107M. There is an ancient heating system that threatens strike action daily. Infrastructure that is in desperate need of modernisation and accessibility work, including lifts that are in place technically though haven't functioned for years.

Having a building where individuals with mobility needs cannot access certain spaces is just not acceptable in 2021, yet we struggle to realise a solution without Council support as the asset owner. This is just a snippet of the building's current issues and needs.

None of the other community spaces owned by Bristol City Council object to the refurbishment of the Bristol Beacon. But what about the other council owned community spaces across the city that exist in need of care and repair? Do they not deserve some funding to serve their respective users?

These are spaces that cater largely to the city's marginalised communities and would be grateful for a fraction of that colossal figure. We are simply asking for equity in funding distribution from the Council, for being caretakers of their spaces.

The Malcolm X Community Centre is one such space of hundreds across the city. It is imperative that Bristol City Council address this issue of disparity, which is years old, necessary and now urgent."

Malcolm X Community Centre, Board of Trustees

With the launch of new schemes such as the Community Ownership Fund alongside the Government’s Build Back Better principles, we want to help build a collective case for capital investment in Bristol’s publicly owned assets, so that they can:

• facilitate good health, well-being and positive relations between communities as they grow and diversify 
• compete in a social enterprise environment where ‘sweating the asset’ becomes key to sustaining local services

• fulfil their role as local economic multipliers, creating vital paid jobs, contributing to our economic prosperity and collective recovery.

As Kathryn Chiswell Jones Managing Director of Artspace Lifespace who look after Council-owned assets including The Vestibules and Ashton Court Mansion says; "Not all community assets are designated mansions or grand halls, but they are beacons for communities. Our local community spaces are integral to social and economic inclusion and to building Bristol Back Better."

Way’s you can help

If you manage a Council owned building, please take fifteen minutes to fill in our concessionary lettings survey to help us build the collective case for investment.

Write to your local Councillor or MP about the importance of capital grant support for a local building that’s close to your heart, using Trinity’s template.

Make sure you make a commitment to investment in community assets a key question for all Mayoral candidates at upcoming hustings meetings.

Check out Locality’s Save Our Spaces for an introduction and toolkit if there’s a space in your local area that you’d like to save.

Read and share We Need a 'Bristol Beacon' in Every Community , an opinion piece in the Bristol Cable by Trinity CEO, Emma Harvey.

Share on socials using #100beacons

Emma Harvey, CEO, Trinity Community Arts

Jon Newey, Managing Director, Full Circle

Kathryn Chiswell-Jones, Company Manager, Artspace Lifespace

LaToyah McAllister-Jones, Executive Director, St Paul’s Carnival

Makala Cheung, Creative Director, Filwood Community Centre

Primrose Granville, Director, Malcolm X Community Centre

Stacy Yelland, CEO, Eastside Community Trust

5 Days Of Falling has been made possible by the Bristol Creative Seed Fund and Arts Council England.

For more information on TrashDollys, go to www.TrashDollys.com