Announcing successful grant recipients
The Improving Connections Fund was met with huge interest, and we are pleased to announce that we have awarded over £200,000 to ten charities across our region: Alive Activities, Bristol Dementia Action Alliance, Carers Support Centre, Coniston Community Association, ReMind UK, St George’s Bristol, Square Food Foundation, Talk Club, Vision North Somerset, and Wellspring Settlement.
Alive Activities: Share and Repair Café
Alive’s Share and Repair Café is a community-based, intergenerational knowledge exchange project designed to improve connections and reduce social isolation for older people. The project provided a platform to showcase the skills, talents and lived experience of older people in the community, while also creating opportunities for meaningful social connections, support and advice between generations. Alive hosted 13 unique Share and Repair sessions. These included Warwick’s lasagne, Mary’s roulade, Amanda’s crochet, Fanny’s 3D textile tote bag, Jane’s sew-a-tissue-holder and make-a-skirt-in-a-day workshops, Antonette’s tai chi, Mike’s meditation, Mary’s semi-ripe cuttings, a clothes swap and alteration party, Warwick’s home maintenance drop-in, and two Connecting in Neighbourhood training days. The variety and creativity of these events reflected the richness of community knowledge and the value of intergenerational exchange. Alive have also compiled a How-to Guide which they hope will extend their reach and support the transferability of the project to other areas.
“Lovely to mix with people you wouldn't usually mix with. What the project is doing is wonderful, bringing people together and joyful, accessible and healthy activity.”
Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA): Dementia Aware Communities
BDAA expanded its Dementia Aware Communities project to create more inclusive environments for people living with dementia and their carers. Building on a successful pilot in Shirehampton, the initiative engaged businesses, community groups and residents across the four villages of Shirehampton, Avonmouth, Sea Mills and Lawrence Weston, to raise awareness and improve accessibility. The project facilitated public meetings to address local concerns. In Sea Mills, the team partnered with local organisations to deliver dementia awareness workshops and accessibility audits, leading to the launch of the Happy Days Memory Café - a welcoming space for socialising, support and activities. The café attracted enthusiastic volunteers and hosted engaging sessions including crafts, music and visits from local groups. In Avonmouth, collaboration with Bristol Beacon brought joyful music and dance experiences to residents. The project culminated in the BDAA Awards, celebrating the contributions of individuals and organisations committed to making communities more dementia aware.
“It was a relief and delight visiting these cafés… being amongst similar couples and talking to kind volunteers made it feel easier to integrate.”
Carers Support Centre: Befriending and Connection Service
Carers Support Centre launched the Befriending and Connection Service to reduce isolation and loneliness among older carers in South Gloucestershire. The service matched carers with trained volunteers for six weekly phone sessions, offering companionship, emotional support, and encouragement to focus on their own well-being. Carers were also signposted to relevant services and, where appropriate, connected with peers for ongoing support. Feedback from both carers and volunteers was positive, highlighting the value of personalised support and connection.
“I have really enjoyed talking to her… I feel so guilty thinking of myself. The Befriender has given me a lot of encouragement in venturing out on my own.”
Coniston Community Association: Coniston Connects
Coniston Community Association launched Coniston Connects to support older residents in Patchway, South Gloucestershire - a priority neighbourhood where many people continued to feel isolated following the pandemic. The project aimed to reduce loneliness, rebuild confidence, and encourage community engagement. The Centre offered subsidised door-to-door transport, free activities, and a hot lunch, creating a welcoming space for older people to reconnect with activities including fitness classes, arts and crafts, games, and social time. The project was shaped by local consultation and focused on empowering individuals to re-engage at their own pace. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants reporting improved well-being, new friendships, and a renewed sense of belonging.
ReMind UK: Chat, Make & Move
ReMind UK delivered a series of well-being courses designed to support people affected by dementia through creative, physical and reminiscence-based activities. The approach was based on findings which highlighted a lack of post-diagnosis support for people with dementia, leaving many feeling isolated and uncertain about how to manage everyday challenges after diagnosis. The courses were designed to address these gaps by creating inclusive spaces for connection, creativity and shared experience, with strong positive feedback from participants. Courses were shaped by participants’ interests, following person-centred care principles. Popular activities included planting, music, seated dance and sharing personal memories. The project received excellent feedback and highlighted the importance of inclusive, supportive spaces for people living with dementia and their carers. ReMind UK have also worked on guides, toolkits and session guides to ensure this project and approach is transferrable to other areas.
“It has given me a feeling of hope going forward and contact information to call upon.”
St George’s Bristol: Community Ticket Club
St George’s Bristol looked to expand its Community Ticket Club (CTC) following a successful pilot. The project aimed to engage older people across Bristol who face barriers to accessing cultural activities, such as cost, low confidence, or social isolation. Through the CTC, community groups were offered free tickets to lunchtime concerts, a warm welcome from volunteers, complementary hot drinks, and dedicated spaces for socialising and hosting events. The delivery focused on deepening relationships with beneficiary groups and refining the model to ensure it reached those who would benefit the most.
“I think it’s fabulous and really grateful that these tickets are made available. It’s made me get out and meet people and make new friends. Thank you so much.”
Square Food Foundation: Back in the Kitchen
Square Food Foundation expanded its Back in the Kitchen programme, creating meaningful opportunities for people aged over 55. The project included weekly cooking classes for a core group, helping reduce isolation through shared meals, skill-building and social connection. A monthly lunch club welcomed additional attendees, particularly those with health challenges who couldn’t commit weekly but valued the social aspect. Additionally, the group prepared 100 nutritious meals each month for distribution via local hubs and foodbanks, supporting older people who may struggle to cook for themselves. The programme successfully combined food, friendship and community impact.
“Enjoyed doing the batch cooking, it feels like you're doing something useful for the community.”
Talk Club
Talk Club aimed to increase social connection, reduce loneliness, and improve both physical and mental well-being among men aged 55 and over. The organisation successfully established 10 new peer-led clubs, doubling the original target of five. These included a mix of formats: five Talk & Listen groups, four Talk & Exercise groups, and one Talk & Craft group. Although the original delivery area was North Somerset, the project expanded its reach to include Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset, extending its impact across a wider area.
“I’m 58. After being in a dark place, Talk Club has given me back my life. I have made new friendships and brought me out from isolating away from people and situations. It has made me realise that I am not alone and not the only one suffering.”
Vision North Somerset: Seeing Friends
Vision North Somerset used funding to reduce social isolation among visually impaired people aged 55+, many of whom live alone. The project delivered a wide range of inclusive activities including swimming and lunch groups, skittles and bowls teams, community gardening, pop-up hubs, mobile libraries, and social clubs across multiple towns. Four Vision Hubs were established in Weston, Clevedon, Portishead, and Nailsea, with regular attendance and now running sustainably. The organisation is also sharing insights with partners to address barriers to participation and promote long-term prevention of isolation among visually impaired older people.
Wellspring Settlement
Wellspring delivered a creative programme that engaged people aged over 55 through seven workshop series in art, film and drama. These small group sessions were designed not only to inspire creativity but also to foster meaningful connections among participants, helping to reduce isolation and build a sense of community. Two of the courses included intergenerational elements, while three involved partnerships with local organisations, further strengthening community ties. The programme exceeded its target for new participants and hosted four cultural events that brought together local residents in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Supported by thoughtful planning, outreach and volunteer involvement, the project successfully created opportunities for older adults to connect, express themselves and feel part of a vibrant community.
"It helped me to learn new art types and find out what my strengths are, there are things I would like to build on. This type of group is a lifeline."
