We are BS15 is a non-profit community led organisation running food and wellbeing projects for Kingswood and Hanham residents. The name reflects what the project is about: the residents of BS15 working together for the benefit of the community.
Established in February 2021 as the legal structure, We are BS15 Community Interest Company (CIC) is currently in the process of transitioning to a charity.
Vicky Robinson, Co-founder and Director, said: “During the early days of the pandemic the community pulled together to support each other. This grew to a team of 250 volunteers supporting residents with everything from shopping and prescriptions to dog walking and gardening.”
“At the height of the pandemic, we were taking 500 calls for help each week. Everyone in the community was involved, young and old and even those isolating at home were able to be involved in taking telephone calls.”
After the lockdown, a team of around 40 volunteers felt the community spirit generated by the COVID response had really enhanced the community and there was something worth building on. Today, We are BS15 includes 70 dedicated volunteers and has a clearly defined mission statement: to connect people, share resources, skills and knowledge and grow the sense of community, resilience and compassion.
Founded by five local people with a wealth of backgrounds and decades of experience, We are BS15 has a vision to help the local community by sharing skills and resources to combat social isolation, reduce food poverty and grow together.
- Vicky Robinson, Director, has over 20 years leadership experience across the hospitality and care industry, with specialisms in HR and Marketing.
- Rev Beverley Charles, Director, Rector of Kingswood and Hanham Parish for six years. Former Public Sector Strategy Manager with 20 years’ experience in Project and Programme management.
- Dr Anna Wheatley, Director, is a recently retired GP from Kingswood Health Centre with 24 years of experience working with patients in BS15.
- Rebecca Hurwitz, Director, is a researcher and evaluator with focus on public health, food and the food system.
- David Robinson, Director, is a retired Accountant and Managing Director with 40 years experience across a range of business sectors.
The organisation operates through four main projects, each led by community members:
- The Kingswood Kitchen
The Kingswood Kitchen aims to ensure that everyone in the community can access good food, whether they’re a busy key worker, tired of cooking for one, or facing a difficult patch.
Each Thursday, the Kitchen provides a freshly-cooked meal, with a choice of a meat or veggie dish. These can be ordered for collection or delivery between 4.30pm – 6.30pm.There is a suggested price of £3.50 per meal, but people pay what they can. Those who can pay a bit extra help cover the cost for someone else.
Meals are prepared using ingredients from local suppliers and, when in season, fresh salad and veg grown in their own Trinity Garden. - Kingswood Food Club
With a focus on community and sustainability, the Kingswood Food Club offers members a range of groceries for £2. These include fresh produce, pantry staples, and delicious treats and would normally cost £10-£15 in the supermarket.
The food club runs at Holy Trinity Church Hall on Thursdays and membership costs £2 for 12 weeks. Membership also includes access to regular wellbeing sessions.
A free Welcome space also runs alongside the food Club, offering free tea, coffee, squash, pastries, cakes and more. No membership is required to access this service. - Trinity Garden
Since March 2022, the allotment behind Holy Trinity Church Hall in Kingswood has been producing an abundance of fresh vegetables, fruit and salad. The crops are shared between volunteers and used in the Community Kitchen and Cafe.
In 2024 we have extended the growing space to develop a sensory garden which provides an oasis just off Kingswood high street, where visitors can rest and enjoy the beauty of nature.
The Beacon Cafe in Hanham
The Beacon Cafe in Hanham is an inclusive community cafe, serving coffee and tea, all-day breakfast, lunch and homemade cakes. Operating on a pay-as-you-can donation basis, the cafe is a welcoming space for residents to meet new friends, discover new skills, join one of the regular social groups and be part of something truly meaningful.
We are BS15, have grown in size to 70 volunteers and the four projects have made a big impact on the Kingswood and Hanham community. Some of the successes include:
- Helping people who have previously felt excluded to develop new skills and make a positive contribution.
- Seeing people form new friendship groups, where they previously felt alone.
- Seeing people from different generations, heritage, disabilities working together and encouraging each other.
- Transforming a derelict space, into a beautiful growing space and sensory garden. Creating a space of wellbeing for volunteers and visitors.
Vicky said: “One challenge we have faced has been managing the rapid growth and onboarding of new volunteers effectively. Despite having over 70 volunteers, we still lack capacity for all the projects we envision. We are continually working to expand our volunteer base, particularly seeking skilled volunteers.”
“Our Kingswood projects are run from a church hall in need of refurbishment. Securing funding to transform this space into a warm, efficient, and flexible community hub is a key focus moving forward.”
Some of the new projects for We are BS15 this autumn include a pilot programme that aims to welcome refugees and newly settled communities in Kingswood through cooking and sharing food from around the world.
Vicky said: “Additionally, we will start a coffee morning called ‘Young at Heart’ in September 2024, aimed at reducing social isolation among the over-50s with coffee, cake, activities, and entertainment every week.”
To find out more, visit: https://wearebs15.co.uk
If you are interested in volunteering with We are BS15, you can contact hi@wearebs15.co.uk. The team are particularly looking for: cooks, drivers, IT specialists and a volunteer coordinator.