Be a Volunteer
Our projects rely on a talented mix of staff and volunteers. We really appreciate the free time and effort which our volunteers give. We have more than 70 volunteers doing a a whole range of things – helping to shape young lives at The Ranch, supporting someone to come to the gym, delivering our local magazine, running activity groups, helping out at our centres, and there are plenty more things to do.
Volunteering opportunities can be one-to-one or group based and you will always be fully supported by project leads and our Volunteer Coordinator. You can volunteer on a regular basis or for one off events like the Southmead Festival or Christmas Panto. If you are part of an organisation or company, we are happy to support staff volunteer days and your Corporate Social Responsibility objectives.
As one of our volunteers you will join a network of others to receive ongoing training and support, learning opportunities, and invites to social events.
One-to-one
Neighbours Connect Southmead has been working alongside Adult Social Care to help reduce the demand on the care system. With 40% of all older people saying that television is their main source of company, we need to start doing things differently.
We think that a strong community is one that is connected to each other, where neighbours look out for each other and where people feel part of things. Neighbours Connect Southmead encourages this through the careful and considered pairing of volunteers with members of our community on a one-to-one basis.
Meet Alex
Alex is our Volunteer Coordinator and had been a volunteer with us for a few years before becoming part of the working team. Her focus is to make sure everyone’s volunteering experience in the community is the best it can be.
“I fell in love with Bristol after moving here. I heard about the Volunteer Coordinator job while I was volunteering with Neighbours Connect Southmead. As a volunteer I always felt valued, supported and loved being part of the community – it inspired me to take on this new career.”
To chat with me about being involved, do get in touch – email: alexbennett@southmead.org, tel: 0117 950 3335
Become a Trustee
Southmead Development Trust is proud that Southmead residents make up the majority of our strong Board of Trustees. They meet monthly to discuss the direction of the organisation, ensure our services and business activity fit with our values and principles, that we are financially viable, and always working towards our ultimate vision. They guide our fantastic workforce by sharing their expertise and lived experience. If you’re interested in becoming a Trustee we would love to hear from you, please email samgarbett@southmead.org
Support your community
You can support the community by helping us with your feedback and views, sharing information with neighbours, and helping to distribute leaflets and posters to raise awareness about services and events. As a community organisation, it is vital to have the community’s input.
We sometimes have surveys and consultations so we can get as many ideas and views as possible for events, groups and opportunities in Southmead. If you have a view on our services or anything related to Southmead then please make sure to have your say.
Southmead Community Plan
Southmead Community Plan is the result of dedicated work by residents and workers to survey almost 900 households in 2015 to gather views and ideas on several aspects of the local area. The vision is for a Southmead that is known as a great place for everyone to live, a strong community where residents work together, inspire each other and people of all ages have the skills and confidence to achieve their full potential. We came together to shape a plan for the area in order to:
- Increase the likelihood of Southmead receiving financial investment
- Support community groups and residents to work together
- Influence decisions that will have an impact on Southmead.
There are nine areas of focus and the responses guide decisions made about services, projects and regeneration in the community.
Read more >
Download the community plan >