|
Dear friends,
The first few months of the year have seen a variety of events bringing people together around our shared language of food - with the ‘Taste of St Pauls’ event series, and with 400+ sharing a meal together through the Grand Iftar at Bristol Cathedral. We’ve also been partnering with local creatives to provide some restorative work with families and children who were in one of the properties attacked during the unrest last summer.
Read on for a few brief updates, with links to our website to find out more and to see more pictures, and to find out what’s coming up. We are also pleased to share with you our Impact Report for 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Taste of St Pauls
The beginning of the year has seen a series of events bringing people together to celebrate the cultures, cuisines, and communities of St Pauls, Bristol. The series included two Peace Feast events, sharing great food, live music and poetry, a cooking workshop, and a couple of taster sessions featuring food and drink from some of the area’s best caterers and chefs.
You can find out more about these events and see more pictures from the events on our website.
A Taste of St Pauls was delivered as part of the City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme, funded by the Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Celebrating the Communities of Horfield & Lockleaze
If you’d like to connect with people from different backgrounds and walks of life over a meal, join us at our next Peace Feast, in partnership with Ebenezer Church. Enjoy delicious Ethiopian dishes made by Meriam from Ababo’s Cuisine, with live music and guest speakers. Friday 4th April, 7-9pm. Ebenezer Church, BS7 0BA.
Check out the menu online and book your place today.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Iftar at Bristol Cathedral
Last Thursday, we had the privilege of partnering with Muslims4Bristol and Bristol Cathedral to enable people of all faiths and none in Bristol to share a meal together.
In a show of unity, under the theme ‘Belonging and Togetherness’, the Grand Iftar at Bristol cathedral saw around 400 people enjoying a meal alongside their Muslim neighbours as they broke their fast together.
Sharing a meal and listening to one another’s traditions and beliefs is a great starting point for dialogue. It doesn’t mean we have to agree about everything, and its not about mixing or watering down our beliefs or convictions - it’s about spending time together where we can celebrate what we have in common.
We’re looking forward to more events that foster social cohesion in Bristol, including an exciting opportunity to take part in our Listening Spaces events in different places of worship in the coming months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restorative Activities with Families Seeking Sanctuary
The violent disorder last summer may feel like a distant memory for some of us, but for people who were directly affected, the impact is still being felt. We’re grateful to UK Fund of Ben & Jerry’s Foundation for funding some restorative work with families and children who were in one of the properties attacked in the summer, and to Arnolfini and Let’s Make Art for partnering with us recently to put on a series of kite making workshops.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Look Back at Our Impact for 2024
We’ve spent some time reflecting on the last year - on some of the significant challenges that arose in our work, but also on some of the wonderful things that happened. You can now browse through a summary of pictures, quotes and numbers from the year for each project, or download the full report on our website.
We are so grateful for everyone who gives their time to get involved, or their money to support what we’re trying to do at Bridges - thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|