Annual Review 2020

Helping Communities Across Greater Bristol to Thrive Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

Ross Ancell at the newbuild site for Merchants’ Academy Primary and Venturers’ Academy; with pupils Benji (left) and Conner (centre)

As the severity of the pandemic escalated the Society, like the rest Our activities in the Social Enterprise space are increasing. Bristol of the UK, went into lockdown, closing the Hall, curtailing many & Bath Regional Capital (BBRC), of which SMV was one of the activities and causing our business to be conducted virtually. founding members, continues to evolve and grow, with its 162- The effect of Covid-19 on the Society’s Education activities, unit Dunmail social housing scheme in Southmead on the point where we educate 4,600 young people across nine schools, was of opening and the City Funds initiative growing to over £10m of dramatic. I wish to extend a special thank you to our magnificent capital to be invested in local social enterprises. teaching and support staff; as well as the leadership teams across We continue as the Endowment Trustee for the St Monica Trust, both Venturers Trust and Colston’s School for their response responsible for nearly £300m of their assets in agricultural estates to the pandemic and their tireless work to continue to provide and financial assets, a challenging task with the financial upheaval education and support to pupils and their families throughout. of a pandemic. Understandably, the completion of the new school buildings in Withywood for Venturers’ Academy and Merchants’ Academy The other defining event for SMV in 2020 was the toppling of Primary has been delayed into 2021. the statue of Edward Colston from its city centre location on 7th June. Edward Colston was a member of the Society and The same sentiment applies to our brilliant team at Cote Charity upon his death in 1721 he entrusted the management of schools where our care homes remained free of Covid-19 throughout and an almshouse to SMV. This included Colston’s School and the year. Morale was maintained by such events as a virtual Royal later Colston’s Girls’ School, the latter now an academy, part of Ascot which received national media coverage. Venturers’ Trust and soon to become Montpelier High School. On the Downs, where we jointly manage 440 acres of open The Society released a public statement later that week, which space with Bristol City Council, our regular events programme I refer to in more detail on page five of this Review. It was time, was severely curtailed from the usual panoply of concerts, perhaps overdue, to re-evaluate our memory of Edward Colston festivals, charity runs, football leagues, fairgrounds and many and to acknowledge that his philanthropy was tainted by his more. A real success has been ‘Breaking Bread’, a late-summer involvement with the transatlantic slave trade. Our schools have pop-up restaurant complex. This splendid initiative approved since reviewed, or plan to review, the use of the Colston name and by the Downs Committee at very short notice, enabled Bristol portraits of Edward Colston no longer hang in Merchants’ Hall. The restauranteurs to continue trading in a socially distanced Society has listened to some of the other criticisms and we are environment, not possible at their usual locations. working hard to address these. t gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to the 2020 Our charitable activities continued apace with donations targeted The more significant opportunity is for the events of the summer Annual Review of the Society of Merchant Venturers (SMV). towards disadvantaged communities and organisations materially to become a catalyst for galvanising Bristol to address its dark affected by Covid-19. The Society was an early donor to the In the 468 years since Edward VI awarded the Society’s first history and to embrace the universal desire for a more inclusive Coronavirus Response Fund, delivered by Quartet Community I Bristol with opportunities accessible to all irrespective of race Royal Charter, there have been few as tumultuous as 2020. Foundation. or heritage. A Master’s period of office commences on Charter Day, usually 10th November and lasts one year, comprising an extensive work element overseeing the Society’s Bristol is an amazing city, brimming with talent and opportunity activities, as well as welcoming guests to Merchants’ Hall, hosting events and and SMV wants to assist in the delivery of the vision of success promoting the Society. For most of 2020 it was a year of navigating the choppy and social inclusion. We are working closely with the One City Plan Master’s waters caused by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the events arising from and other partners to help realise these ambitions. the toppling of the statue of Edward Colston. Lastly, I would like to thank each of our 76 members, our Executive Welcome The year commenced normally enough, with the happy event of hosting HRH team at Merchants’ Hall, all our staff working in schools, care The Princess Royal, an Honorary Member of SMV, to open The Kingfisher School homes and on the Downs, BBRC, the Friends who also act as in St Anne’s Park and the co-located Venturers’ Academy St Anne’s Park. Over the school governors, the care homes visiting group and supporting Christmas period we thoroughly enjoyed hosting residents of our care homes for organisations such as the University of Bristol, co-sponsor of afternoon tea and our festive carols at Merchants’ Hall. January saw a well-attended Venturers Trust; and Bristol City Council, our partners in the networking reception at the Hall when 80 business and community leaders Downs Committee since 1861. Without all of you and your The effect on the were invited to learn more about the Society’s activities and explore how to dedication, our work would not be possible. become involved. Society’s Education Let’s hope the new Master’s year in 2021 will be more A highlight for me was the International Women’s Day Lunch held in early March, straightforward than 2020. activities, where we when 60 leading women from across Bristol joined our Standing Committee for lunch. Guests were from backgrounds in business, academia, the arts and creative educate 4,600 young industries, the judiciary, social and community groups and local government. Our guest speaker was Liza ‘Bird’ Burgess, the former Welsh Women’s Rugby captain people across nine who gave an inspirational account of her journey to success. schools, was dramatic.

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An Energy for Change

n Friday 12th June 2020, SMV published the O following statement: Following the Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol on 7th June, the energy for change across our city continues to grow. The statue of Edward Colston was removed from Bristol’s city centre last weekend and the fact that it has gone is right for Bristol. To build a city where racism and inequality no longer exist, we must start by acknowledging Pero’s Bridge spans Bristol’s floating harbour Bristol’s dark past and removing statues, portraits and names that memorialise a man who benefitted from trading in human lives. It was inappropriate for the Society of A message from Ross Ancell, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers Merchant Venturers to get involved in the rewording of the Colston statue plaque in 2018 and we have listened to the constructive comments put to us over this past week. he surge of energy felt across the country in June propelled the debate, ultimately voting to change the name of their school many organisations, institutions and individuals to have to Montpelier High School. The Dolphin School has also made As we look forward, we are examining our uncomfortable conversations that were long overdue. SMV the decision to change their logo because the design echoed the own role within the city, how we collaborate T was no exception. We set out a clear position in our statement Colston family crest. They too are carving out a new identity that with others and accelerate our part in of 12th June and I would like to share an update on the work we celebrates the wonderful diversity of their school community. ensuring that Bristol overcomes inequality have undertaken since that time. and disadvantage wherever it exists. We have expressed our support for the One City Plan and we The Education sector has a fundamental role to play in tackling want to help achieve its aims by providing tangible ‘on the ground’ As the co-sponsor of Colston’s Girls’ School, inequality and discrimination and we are committed to ensuring assistance. As part of this, we are committed to supporting the we are fully supportive of their plans to that each of the schools we are responsible for is delivering a emerging social inclusion initiative, providing financial support conduct a transparent consultation to diverse and representative curriculum that celebrates positive and using our combined business networks to offer internships, consider renaming the school. We welcome contributions and achievements indicative of all cultures and work placements and mentoring for young people from a new name that accurately reflects the races. This is in line with the emerging Bristol Curriculum, which disadvantaged communities. school’s vision and values. We also support has our full support. Colston’s School as they too enter a process of We have pledged to support the Bristol History Commission, a discussion about the school’s name. We’re also making sure that inclusion is built into every policy group of historians and other experts brought together to consider and procedure across our schools, care homes and within our the city’s past and share its stories. It is inexcusable that racism and inequality own membership; in the recruitment and retention of the We are committed to finding out more about our own history still exist today. We share a determination for best teachers, senior leaders and governors; and in developing a as part of our journey of truth and understanding; and we will Bristol to become an inclusive, sustainable curriculum that helps young people to understand and continue to listen and learn. and successful city where the place of your value diversity. birth or the colour of your skin is not an We are actively looking at all areas of our operations to see how Two of our schools have recently conducted open, transparent obstacle. we can be more transparent. consultations to review their names and logos because of their direct link to Edward Colston. The process was developed by Above all, we are committed to accelerating the work we’re doing students and staff and has delivered additional enrichment to the to challenge racism, inequality and injustice in Bristol for the curriculum around history and democracy, debate and decision- long-term. Where we find that we could be doing more, we will The empty plinth in Bristol city centre making. We congratulate the Colston’s Girls’ School community do better. for the mature way in which they have engaged with both sides of

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Chris Curling DL avid Watson OBE became the CEO of Education Venturers Trust in January 2020 and he hit the Dground running. With significant experience in delivering sustained improvement in both pupil and Ofsted outcomes he is a hands-on, inspirational aily school life is always unpredictable, Venturers’ Academy, who gained national and regional leader. and even without Covid-19 our prominence for spreading positive messages of hope through music during lockdown; the progress made in the His previous roles include headships in Birmingham and schools have had their fair share of the construction of two new state-of-the-art school buildings Manchester, leader and director-level positions for national and D at Withywood; and Royal visits to The Kingfisher School regional educational bodies, Ofsted inspector and most recently, unpredictable this year. The following reports from the CEO of Venturers Trust (VT) and and Merchants’ Academy. David led the multi-academy trust Changing Lives in Collaboration Trust, based in north west England. His strong track record of the Headmaster of Colston’s School reflect But then there was Covid-19. It was deeply humbling to success delivering positive impact at school, system, local, regional both the stresses and strains as well as the witness the responses of every member of our leadership, and national level, saw him awarded an OBE in the 2019 New great many positive outcomes achieved teaching and support staff to the gargantuan challenges Year’s Honours List for services to education. faced in going beyond the limits, as they did (and continue David Watson OBE across the Society’s family of schools in this to do) each day, to help every one of the 4,600 students Responsible for eight academies, 3,800 pupils and 700 members extraordinary year. in our schools find their way through their own individual of staff, David answered our questions about his first year in post difficulties, whether they be educational, emotional or and his future plans for Bristol’s young people. of the Trust; and our sponsors, the Society of Merchant Venturers By way of example, in school improvement all VT schools personal. The contribution of Colston’s School in making and the University of Bristol, are supportive, hands-on and are now out of special measures and Ofsted reported masks and other protective equipment for the Covid-19 Why Venturers Trust? rising pedagogical performance in all schools inspected; visionary. Together we have all the right ingredients to succeed. fight was also remarkable. I’m a firm believer that disadvantage and inequality can the Independent Schools Inspectorate delivered a wholly Other highlights this year include: exceptional quality report across all areas at Colston’s In summary, in a year of significant challenge, so much be challenged and overcome by the transformative value School; and the executive leadership of VT has been positive has come out of it. I am sure that you will both of education. By working with others who share a moral Three of our schools coming out of Special Measures and being greatly strengthened with the arrival of David Watson enjoy and be inspired by the reports that follow. responsibility to use their skills effectively to improve the life recognised by Ofsted for the tremendous improvements they as its CEO. chances of young people through education, the long-term impact have made; can change the whole fabric of society. There have been some outstanding events and individual Chris Curling DL, Chair of SMV Education Committee Despite the uncertainty and anxiety experienced by students achievements: the remarkable Lakhile, a student at The majority of schools within Venturers Trust are located in across the country in the wake of centre assessed grades for areas of disadvantage and deprivation. Parents are aspirational GCSEs, BTECs and A-levels, I was delighted that so many of our for their children but there is often a perpetual cycle in struggling students achieved well-deserved, hard-earned grades that have HRH The Earl of Wessex visited Merchants’ Academy to meet communities and we have a responsibility to support the teachers, allowed them to progress on to Post-16 study, further education students doing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award parents and pupils to lift young people up and give them real and high-quality apprenticeships; opportunities to change the trajectory of their lives. I am very proud of the courage and determination that our A very small number of multi-academy trusts in the UK have students continue to show in challenging the status-quo. Over successfully tackled the disadvantage gap within their own family the past year, students have utilised a range of platforms to raise of schools. I want to change that by delivering an education to awareness of climate change, encouraging others to protect the every student that will provide them with the knowledge, skills environment; and they have galvanised into action, amplifying the and values to climb the mountain of success. power of their own voices to influence change, raising awareness Regardless of their background or starting point, every young of racism and inequality. person deserves a high-quality education that enables them to achieve ambitious goals. And the challenges? What have been the main highlights One of the greatest and unforeseen challenges was finding ourselves in a pandemic that saw every school close to all but the during your first year with the Trust? children of key workers and vulnerable children, just three months Without a doubt, the greatest highlight is our school communities. after I joined. Some of our Trust families who were already They are vibrant, energetic and brimming with determination struggling, suddenly faced unimaginable hardship; overnight, and resilience. The children are bright, happy and eager to learn; young people lost the consistency and familiarity of learning in and our school leadership teams, with their experienced staff, school alongside their peers; teachers had to adopt an entirely HRH The Princess Royal officially opened The Kingfisher School. Pictured L-R are collaborative and ambitious, placing no limits on what their new way of effectively teaching their students from afar; and on with Kirsteen Craig, Principal of The Kingfisher School; Caroline Duckworth DL, students can achieve. Every member of the Trust central team is top of all this, every community experienced the devastating loss Treasurer of SMV; Ross Ancell, Master of SMV; and Dr Timothy Chambers DL, focussed and understands how their role adds value to all parts of loved ones. Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol 6 7 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

My hard work paid off with excellent grades and a place at Merchants’ Academy sixth form. I’ve been through a lot and life has sometimes been What I love most about CGS is the diverse community; tough, but now it feels as though I can achieve anything! and the teachers who are friendly and give good advice. Ian Calloway, Merchants’ Academy Zaina Kafienah, Colston’s Girls’ School

What are your priorities? How will you achieve this? We are working to achieve a series of strategic priorities which Across the Trust, we have high expectations for every student and include improving outcomes for all students in each of our we follow a curriculum designed to ignite and nourish a child’s academies; ensuring that the Trust operates within a financially appetite to learn. We are committed to developing the highest sustainable model that delivers value for money; providing high quality teaching and learning which is supported by harnessing quality leadership right across the Trust; attracting and retaining the power of collaboration, continually learning from the best the best teachers by being an excellent employer; and proactively educational systems both nationally and internationally and addressing issues of diversity and representation across the Trust, providing professional development opportunities for staff. including in leadership positions. Of our eight academies, one is rated by Ofsted as Outstanding, On the ground, we are actively repairing gaps in students’ learning three are rated Good and four are in the Requires Improvement following a lengthy period of absence from the classroom and category. We owe it to the communities we serve to ensure that addressing new or heightened challenges for vulnerable all our academies are rated at least Good and our Trust-wide children. Resources are being deployed across the Trust where school improvement strategy has been developed to achieve they are needed most, which is at the heart of our ‘one Trust, that goal. one goal’ ethos. We continue to work very closely with the regulating bodies that Barton Hill Academy What is the Trust’s goal? hold us to account, making sure there are no shortfalls in the standard of our educational provision and the day-to-day running Yet, across the entire Trust and in many different forms, All children from all backgrounds succeeding. As part of the of the Trust. These include the Department for Education, the The Dolphin School I witnessed strength in adversity every day. work we’ve been doing to strengthen the Trust as a collaborative Regional Schools Commissioner, Ofsted, the Education and Skills unit, I regularly spend time in our schools listening to our leaders, Funding Agency, Bristol City Council and the Charity Commission. recognise our strengths, purposefully building on them. Listening, Staff members collated and delivered support packages to teachers, support staff, parents, pupils and governors, finding learning and improving will drive progress as we seek to bend vulnerable families containing school work, resources and a out what matters most to them and together, we identified a What’s different about a the curve, challenging educational disadvantage and improving packed lunch, collectively covering over 250 miles daily. The goal that we could all subscribe to and it underpins our strategy. central IT team mobilised immediately to facilitate online Venturers Trust academy? social mobility. Every member of staff and every teacher shares a commitment to learning and provide the necessary training in order to help We will continue to build a cohesive family of schools who can every child within the Trust and not just the pupils from their Across the Trust we have embedded three key messages and teachers support their students remotely, maintain Trust-wide feel, see and touch the value that the Trust brings to their school contact between leaders and teachers, and enable therapy own school. in each of our academies you should see evidence of these everywhere and in everyone: community, not least by taking the necessary action to ensure that sessions to be delivered remotely to some of the Trust’s most the trajectory for every student is upward. vulnerable children with complex needs. Knowledge is power. Families in need received regular phone calls to offer Skills for life. Why does Venturers Trust have a sponsor? Work hard, be kind. support - many parents highlighted the challenge of Having a sponsor delivers a high level of transparency and trying to ‘home school’ two or more children when To succeed in a world where social capital is more important accountability to ensure that schools within the Trust continue their only device was a mobile phone. In response than ever, young people must expand their knowledge beyond to do better. A sponsor must be approved by the Department for and where possible, schools delivered laptops on loan academic qualifications. Alongside a high-quality education, it is Education (DfE) and is monitored by the Secretary of State for so that students had the means to engage with their vital that students develop strong personal values and a broad, Education. Sponsors are often approached by the DfE to set up online lessons. in-depth knowledge of life skills that will prepare them to thrive a multi-academy trust comprised of underperforming schools, The challenge of Covid-19 has clearly demonstrated in higher education, the workplace, within their own families and particularly when the sponsor has the necessary expertise and the lifeline that schools can become in times of crisis, communities and the world beyond. experience to take action that will improve the performance providing robust, emergency support for families. Young people will leave us as effective communicators and critical of multiple schools. A sponsor also makes sure that each thinkers who know how to keep themselves safe. school spends its funding effectively and works closely with the Amongst teaching staff and the Trust central leadership teams and governing bodies to provide constant team, a genuine team spirit has shone through They will know that hard work brings success and they will support and challenge. during lockdown. Across the Trust, we have shared understand the importance and impact of treating themselves numerous policies, protocols, schemes of learning, and others with kindness. Venturers Trust has two highly engaged and hands-on sponsors teaching resources and human resources, which who work collaboratively together, bringing a unique mix of continues as we move forward. We will also maintain What does it mean to be part of advantages to our academies. the Trust-wide initiative ‘we are listening’ which Venturers Trust? The University of Bristol brings unrivalled expertise in the encourages staff to share any anxieties or concerns Education sector, including in teaching, achieving high-standards, they may have as we support each other through this As a Trust, we acknowledge our shortcomings so that we can wellbeing and safeguarding. They facilitate a valuable Masters time of uncertainty. address them head-on, taking effective action when results, programme for our teachers and they give preferential offers of progress and outcomes fall short of where they should be; and we university places to our students. Bannerman Road Community Academy 8 9 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

I didn’t think that someone like me would ever go to university but now I’m studying at Bristol Uni! My school teachers were amazing, they believed in me and I am bursting with pride. Kizzy Harris, Merchants’ Academy

Jeremy McCullough Colston’s School

olston’s School has been supported by the to the national shortage of PPE equipment. The machinery in Society of Merchant Venturers since its our Design and Technology Department was put to swift use, producing over 1,000 face shields which we distributed to local GP Cfoundation in 1710. Originally a boarding surgeries, care homes and to hospital wards all over Bristol. school for 100 boys, it is now a co-educational Our wider school community quickly joined the effort, raising over day school for 790 pupils, age 3 to 18, excelling in £1,000 to help cover the cost of materials. Staff, pupils and Old both academic and co-curricular subjects, with 28 Colstonians made scrub bags and masks for key workers, creating a different first languages spoken within the student real sense of community through such a difficult time. body. Jeremy McCullough, the Headmaster of Lockdown was harder for some than for others, as the revenue Colston’s since 2014, shares a candid overview of the stream for some sectors came to a halt overnight, bringing severe financial consequences to many households. past 12 months: The challenge for our Board of Governors and Senior Leadership This has been a year defined by triumphs and challenges Team was to find a way to offer all parents a discount in fees at Colston’s School. Before Covid-19 had even been heard for the summer term and to establish a hardship fund for those of, we received an unexpected visit from the Independent experiencing real difficulty paying fees. Generous contributions Schools Inspectorate whose inspectors examined all to the hardship fund were made by staff, alumni and parents, a aspects of the school’s provision. They judged us to be “excellent number of whom declined the fee discounts offered. As a result, in all areas” and particularly noted pupils’ excellent level of we were able to provide significant assistance to families at a achievement and personal development. difficult time. We were of course delighted with this news and staff were Despite the restrictions of lockdown, students in Year 11 and David Watson OBE with students from Merchants’ Academy particularly moved by the parental feedback that was described by Year 13 continued to prepare for their exams. The government The Society of Merchant Venturers brings an enormous range of one of the inspectors as the best he had ever seen. News of this then announced that results would instead be determined by skills to the Trust and because many of its members volunteer level of support was encouraging, but little did we know how soon centre assessed grades. We are confident that our students could as academy governors or trustees, their expertise adds tangible which seek to present an equitable representation of black history we would be needing, and providing, support in a whole new way have successfully sat their public exams had that been an option value. We have Board members who are experts in useful areas and achievement. Over 40% of our students identify as BAME and as Coronavirus swept across the world. for them. Their final grades are therefore an accurate reflection of such as IT, HR, estates and finance, experienced in working with this is a welcome development to the curriculum across the Trust. With very little notice, along with all other schools across the UK, their hard work both in school and at home. regulators and stakeholders. They also have an exceptionally we were prevented from teaching the majority of students in strong moral purpose and provide a gateway for many of our Two of our academies have very recently undertaken The focused efforts of students and their teachers resulted in school and instead moved immediately to an online teaching and students to access work experience, apprenticeships, employment comprehensive, open consultations to consider whether to keep excellent results, with 57% of GCSE students receiving all grades learning platform. Staff and students adapted to this new way of and other opportunities; and they provide an endowment fund or change their name. Led by the students and staff, they have 7 to 9, the old A to A**; and 85% of A-level students receiving all working with remarkable speed and those students who were which each of our academies draws on every year to fund trips, experienced the power of democracy and will be making their grades A* to B. 90% of BTEC students received Starred Distinction/ preparing for exams in the summer term remained focused experiences and special resources. own history in the months ahead as they rebrand and renew. Distinction, the equivalent of A*/A at A-level. and unphased. It’s an exciting combination to have two high-profile sponsors who Above all, I’m confident that our academies will continue to More good news followed with 95% of our Sixth Form leavers The children of key workers who attended school during lockdown, have made such a public commitment to support almost 4,000 improve and that our students will thrive from the moment securing their first-choice university course or apprenticeship. alongside their academic studies, helped to support our response young people, many from disadvantaged communities. They they join us and throughout their journey with us. Admissions Destinations included Bristol, Exeter and Cardiff to study degrees genuinely want all children from all backgrounds to succeed and to our two Post-16 settings, V6 and MA.16, have increased in subjects such as Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Venturers Trust is far stronger with them. by a combined total of 27% over the past two years, which is Mathematics, Architecture and History, as well as one Degree testament to the year-on-year improvements that we have seen Apprenticeship with Balfour Beatty. Strength in sport also shone Finally, what can we expect to see from in results and outcomes. through, with one student beginning a full hockey scholarship in Venturers Trust next? the USA and our First XV Rugby Captain securing a professional contract with Bristol Bears. We have many exciting activities to look forward to, including the opening of two state-of-the-art school buildings for Merchants’ This has indeed been a roller-coaster of a year, but it has Academy Primary and Venturers’ Academy Withywood. highlighted so many positives about the Colston’s School community, evidenced by record student numbers for the We are delighted to be involved in the development of two academic year 2020-21. important initiatives, the Bristol Curriculum and Cargo Classroom, Jeremy McCullough, Headmaster of Colston’s School Colston’s School, Nursery pupils 10 11 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 The SocietySociety of Merchant Merchant Venturers Venturers | Annual isReview 2020 responsible for 4,600 pupils within the It feels great to be back at school. Daily following family of Bristol-based schools: contact with my teachers during lockdown helped me stay focused on my studies but I missed learning alongside my friends. Bannerman Road Tara Arvind, Colston’s School Community Academy The SMV Easton Principal: Lynsey Prewett Scholarship 375 pupils, age 3-11 Barton Hill Academy Programme Barton Hill The standard of teaching and the productive learning Principal: Emma Tovey environment have really propelled me forward. I believe that 423 pupils, aged 3-11 ast year, the SMV scholarship programme attending Colston’s School has been a pivotal point in the direction of my future. I hope that many more generations of provided funding for three students from Merchants’ Academy students will be able to benefit from this Colston’s Girls’ School LMerchants’ Academy to study their A-levels fantastic opportunity. Cheltenham Road at Colston’s School Sixth Form. We checked in Principal: Kerry McCullagh with the 2019-2021 scholars Maisie, George and 930 students, age 11-18 Rhiannon, to ask about life at Colston’s School. Rhiannon Johnson Studying A-level mathematics, physics and psychology. Colston’s School Stapleton Maisie Hendry Initially, I was nervous about starting a new school, but I can say Headmaster: Jeremy McCullough Studying A-level English literature, theatre studies with confidence that life at Colston’s School is amazing. It’s such a strong community and the small classes and tutor groups help 790 pupils, age 3-18 and CTEC business. you get to know other students. Everyone has been welcoming Before joining Colston’s School in September 2019, I felt from the start and there’s a real sense of belonging. nervous that the other students wouldn’t want to talk I feel very grateful to be here on a scholarship and I’m making The Dolphin School to ‘somebody like me’. I thought that I would be treated the most of every opportunity. I have thrown myself into the Montpelier differently, an ‘outsider’ from a different background. But it plethora of activities, including mentoring younger students Principal: Shelley Flanagan; and wasn’t like that at all! From week-one, the sense of community who need some extra help with their English and maths; and I’m Acting Principal: Kate Jenkins was huge and I was immediately part of it. proud to be a member of the school netball team. 323 pupils, age 4-11 The Sixth Form induction camp definitely helped me to settle I love learning and everyone else at Colston’s feels the same, so in, not least because I made friends straight away. Everyone else it’s easy to concentrate in lessons without any distractions at all. was nervous too and we were starting something new together. My aim is to go to university next year to study for a degree in Fairlawn Primary School The teachers are brilliant and give me extra support when I physics followed by a postgraduate degree in medical physics. Montpelier need it to bring my grades up to standard, helping me to learn Principal: Julie Molesworth more effectively. I really enjoy the Future Leaders sessions Maisie, George and Rhiannon 216 pupils, age 4-10 We wish Maisie, George and Rhiannon every success for their which encourage me to think outside the box, develop my ideas (currently, Reception to Year 5) and enhance my presentation skills. second year of A-level study and we look forward to hearing George Cole about this year’s SMV scholarship students from Merchants’ There are so many new experiences outside the classroom too. Academy - Klaudia, Emmi and Alfie, who joined Colston’s School The Kingfisher School I enjoy cross country, music, House Song and the fully equipped in September 2020. theatre and tech booth is amazing. The opportunities are Studying A-level geography, economics and St Anne’s Park endless here, I’m learning new things every day and, as part of government & politics. Principal: Kirsteen Craig this friendly, inclusive community, I feel like a true Colstonian. Upon first hearing that I had been accepted into Colston’s 160 pupils, age 3-11 The atmosphere is sometimes competitive, but in a positive School on a scholarship, my immediate reaction was way. It’s a fun and passionate environment with a very strong excitement. However, this was soon followed by a feeling of sense of camaraderie between us all. As a House Prefect, I really worry. I’m from the opposite side of the city and I come from a enjoy helping other year groups in the junior common rooms. Merchants’ Academy completely different socio-economic background to most other Withywood Without the scholarship programme I wouldn’t have come students here. I had doubts about how well I would fit in. Principal: Samantha Williamson here and my life would be different. I have a really strong Reflecting on that now, I would reassure anyone in my shoes sense of who I am and who I want to become. I plan to go to of how easy it is to be a student at Colston’s. Irrespective of 1,190 pupils, age 4-18 university to study a degree in primary education. Already I class or which area you’re from, the students and teachers at want to give something back and do everything I can to provide Colston’s welcome you as one of their own. In fact, it turns out other children with a good education. I am so pleased that that the only issue with the area I come from is how long it Venturers’ Academy my parents encouraged me to sign up for the Colston’s School takes to get the bus to school every day! scholarship programme, it’s been life changing for me. Withywood and St Anne’s Park Principal: Trystan Williams 168 pupils, age 4-16 12 13 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

The Clifton and John Laycock DL Care for Older Durdham Downs People

he Clifton and Durdham Downs spans over became a member of SMV over 15 years ago Without hesitation, staff members stepped up to volunteer help in 400 acres of open land in the heart of the because I wanted to find a really effective way of whatever manner it was needed. An innovative, daily programme of in-house events was organised to keep spirits high and residents city adjoining the Avon Gorge. supporting the city that has been my home for active. Birthday parties, crafts, cooking classes, cycling the grounds T I on a trishaw, yoga, gardening, flower arranging, music lessons SMV’s relationship with the Downs can be traced back to the 60 years. Measuring the impact we have is more 1600s, when it purchased the manor of Clifton which included straight forward in some areas than others – in and even hat-making for Royal Ascot – as usual, our residents Clifton Down. The Downs Act of 1861 brought together Clifton education for example, where Ofsted reports, exam embraced every activity with energy and enthusiasm. Down with Durdham Down, which had been acquired by the Several members of staff volunteered to move into our care City Corporation during the 1850s. results and student outcomes together provide a detailed and accurate picture. homes on a temporary basis to provide continuity of support The Downs Committee was established by the Downs Act to to residents. ‘Zoom’ and ‘Facetime’ became buzzwords in a oversee the management of the Downs for the benefit of the The Cote Charity is regulated and assessed by a number of official community with an average age of 88 as staff taught residents citizens of Bristol. Its composition remains the same today as bodies including the Care Quality Commission and Bristol City how to connect with family and friends online, a trend that in 1861: Chaired by the Lord Mayor, assisted by the Master of Council, but an annual visit to our care homes and a positive rating continues with gusto. doesn’t tell the full story. SMV, with six other councillors and six members of the Society, The Cote Charity has been providing excellent accommodation making a total of 14. for older people for over 65 years and the name has become synonymous with a good quality of life in retirement. This is entirely due to the dedication and enthusiasm of staff, who treat Breaking Bread has been important for several reasons. residents like family and genuinely care about their wellbeing. Not only has it helped to sustain over 50 jobs in Bristol’s Amongst the many hidden heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitality industry, it has also provided a relaxing space for you will certainly find the very special individuals who work at people to rediscover a tiny slice of ‘normal’ amid the ebb Katherine House and Griffiths House, to whom we are enormously and flow of Covid-19 restrictions. grateful. A travelling big-top circus also arrived on the Downs John Laycock DL, Chair of SMV Care for Older People Committee in September, providing a Covid-compliant burst of entertainment for families. Whether for exercise, relaxation or entertainment, the Downs is a green oasis in the heart of the city that many Bristolians rediscovered during lockdown.

In the Cote Charity’s residential homes, Katherine House and Griffiths House, our residents and staff have successfully created their own vibrant, nurturing community and during the past 12 months, this has been a lifeline. With all care homes closing their doors to visitors at the beginning Thousands of people visit the Downs every year and during of lockdown, maintaining the wellbeing of our residents was lockdown, these 400 acres provided much needed open space an immediate priority on par with protecting everyone’s health and fresh air. As restrictions began to ease in late July, the and safety. innovative ‘Breaking Bread’ concept became the first public event on the Downs after a long period of absence. Covid-19 has the potential to devastate a care home community and we have continued to work hand-in-hand with the official This socially distanced pop-up environment provided the regulators to ensure that we follow the most up-to-date safety perfect space under canvas for a number of the city’s best-loved guidelines. With residents prevented from having face-to-face restaurants, cafes and bars. Featuring the Pony & Trap, Pasta contact with family and friends, immediate action was required to Loco & Pasta Ripiena, the Love Inn and the Pipe & Slippers, prevent a decline in mental health and wellbeing. tables were selling out so quickly, the initiative was extended into the autumn.

14 15 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

Vivienne Withers

ivienne Withers is the Care To date, we have avoided an outbreak but there is no room to be complacent. Staff members continue to dig deep Home Manager for the Cote every day, adjusting to another new policy or a revised risk Charity and the Almshouse assessment to ensure that we maintain stringent health V and safety procedures. It is through their diligence, hard Charity, responsible for Katherine House, Griffiths House and the work and commitment that residents have continued to enjoy life in such a safe and happy bubble since March, Almshouse on St Michael’s Hill. Here with the highest standard of care maintained throughout, she explains how staff and residents even under such difficult circumstances. have retained their positive outlook Residents of our Almshouse on St Michael’s Hill have really during a very unusual year. come together as a community since lockdown, supporting each other and keeping morale high. We have stayed Without exception, every member in close contact with residents through phone calls and of the Cote Charity team has shone letters, with a weekly maintenance visit to ensure that each as we responded together to the apartment is in good working order. threat of Covid-19. Working long The Care sector is highly regulated and we have strong hours and additional shifts is just the tip of the working relationships with specialist organisations including iceberg. Staff willingly volunteered to take on the Care Quality Commission, Clinical Commissioning additional responsibilities to ensure that our Group, Public Health England and Bristol City Council. residents remained happy and active. Maintaining such close contact with them means that we receive the latest advice, training, support and guidance. An exciting visit from the Lane House Alpacas

Hairdresser, yoga instructor, guitar teacher, florist, singer – our Residents and staff enjoyed celebrating Pride 2020 At the peak of the outbreak, when rules and regulations sometimes care assistants and team leaders shared their many hidden changed from one day to the next, this helped us to stay one step talents to keep morale high while our doors remained closed ahead, keeping our residents and staff safe. to external visitors. Above all, the family ethos that we are so proud of at Initially, relatives relied on emails and telephone calls to stay Katherine House and Griffiths House has been central to the in touch with family members but the Wellbeing Team quickly continued wellbeing of residents and staff over the past nine initiated the use of mobile devices and residents were soon months, more so than ever. surprising their loved ones and impressing their grandchildren with frequent video calls. With demand for the iPad increasing, the Grateful Society kindly bought us another one. We also increased our activity on Twitter and Instagram so that relatives could see for themselves how we were spending each day, which helped them to feel connected. When Covid-19 first hit the UK and with two care homes full of older people vulnerable to the virus, we faced a great many challenges, but help came in numerous forms. Several local businesses and schools provided PPE which we needed in high volume. Colston’s School made safety visors and Nisbets and Pattersons provided face masks and hand gel. The SMV visiting group provided every staff member with lovely toiletries and Gail Bragg, member of the SMV Standing Committee, together with friends, made washable kit bags to help minimise the risk of infection between work and our own homes. Relatives and well-wishers sent numerous parcels of treats.

Residents helped prepare for the VE Day party 16 17 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

Alan Lewis Robert Bourns DL Social Enterprise Charitable Giving

ver the past year we have he Greater Bristol region continues to feel In response to the tumbling markets, we adapted our investment the devastating effect of Covid-19 as we strategy to protect income. This will enable us to continue making continued to support Bristol & charitable grants throughout the coming year and beyond. Bath Regional Capital CIC (BBRC), brace for a winter where the situation is likely T We traditionally make a series of grants every quarter, directed O to get worse, particularly for those who are already in particular with the Dunmail social to individual organisations across the region. With the arrival of housing scheme, whilst exploring a struggling. Some sectors and some communities lockdown in March, charities needed immediate support to help broader range of activities in this sector. have been hit harder than others and this year has vulnerable members of the community and so we gave a sizeable seen an unprecedented demand for charitable funds. donation to the Quartet Community Foundation Coronavirus The post-Covid-19 landscape means that we Response Fund because they had the local knowledge and must find new ways to respond to the needs Many charities that had created what seemed like a financially the mechanism to distribute funds quickly, where help was and aspirations of prospective and early-stage stable source of funding through cafés, shops and other income- needed most. social enterprises to help them grow and flourish. generating activities had their income halted overnight. At the Occupying a position between our charitable work same time the demand for their services increased at a rapid rate So far this year we have awarded grants totalling over £250,000 and the market economy, which the government is due to the pandemic. to 54 organisations, reaching over 10,000 residents of Greater working to repair, we see Social Enterprise as a sector Bristol. Many local charities are working around the clock to help Many grant makers, SMV included, generate their charitable that can address some of the non-financial returns communities to survive and recover and our strategy for the funds from investments which provide an annual income to make that are increasingly important to communities, such year ahead is to direct the majority of our grants to support the donations. The pandemic had a huge and immediate impact on as social and environmental gain. essential work they are doing. investment markets, which in turn means there is less income to In this context we are taking a long-term view of give away. Robert Bourns DL, Chair of SMV Charity Committee our ambitions to address carbon reduction, an area that presents significant opportunities for social enterprises that have the potential to deliver vital The Dunmail social housing scheme in Southmead. Pictured: Ed Rowberry, third solutions to protect the planet. from the left; Ross Ancell, second from the right; and far right, Andrew Garrad, Chair of the SMV Social Enterprise Committee from November 2020 Alan Lewis, Chair of SMV Social Enterprise Committee Youth 11% Arts & Culture 3% Every year, the SMV Charity Bristol 6% Committee Energy (community led wind-power), Wellspring Settlement Quartet Coronavirus receives over 100 BRISTOL & BATH (a community centre in Barton Hill) and Frank Water CIC Reponse Fund 8% grant applications. (an environmentally friendly drinks supplier). All of these REGIONAL CAPITAL investments will enable local social entrepreneurs to continue So far this year to deliver and grow their impact within the region and in some over £250,000 has am pleased to report that BBRC has had another strong year, cases beyond. despite the challenging trading environment presented by the been awarded global pandemic. For the second year in a row, BBRC has been recognised as across seven key I one of the top 100 social enterprises in the UK. We also Social Needs 32% On the housing front, we are delighted with the emerging received a ‘Highly Commended’ second place award in ‘Social Education 21% sectors to charities quality of the 161 homes at Dunmail Road in Southmead. Investment Deal of the Year’ for City Funds. These are national and organisations Although the scheme was slowed by the national lockdown and awards for the social enterprise market, so this is a fantastic in Greater Bristol. social distancing measures, BBRC is looking forward to handing result that reflects the hard work of our executive and over the keys to its first units in early 2021. We are already non-executive teams. working with a number of partners on a series of other housing projects, including intergenerational housing schemes and those 2021 promises to be another busy year and we are confident aimed at key workers. that our work in the housing sector, alongside the provision of funding for social enterprises, remains as needed as ever in BBRC continues to advise City Funds on the deployment of these challenging times. social investment into Bristol which has recently included Environment 7% Talking Money (a debt advisory service), Ambition Community Ed Rowberry, Chief Executive of Bristol & Bath Regional Capital Healthcare 12%

18 19 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

Coronavirus Response Fund Heart of BS13 food response ince lockdown, Heart of BS13 has been providing We’ve dished up 12,570 delicious, nutritious meals serving 1,212 people. The two grants that we received from Quartet’s Coronavirus free food packages, including healthy nutritious 2020 Response Fund have really made a difference.” 80% of the city’s charities kept going through lockdown but meals and ingredients, to local were hit with a double whammy as their fundraising pipeline S families in need. dried up just as the need for their services sky-rocketed. In July, Quartet launched the new Recovery and Stabilisation Grant The BS13 postcode includes the post-war Programme as it became clear that many local groups were in estates of Hartcliffe and Withywood in South urgent need of additional, longer-term support to help them Bristol, home to around 20,000 residents. survive and thrive following the immediate crisis. Their role in Last year the Government ranked a part supporting local communities at the height of the pandemic of Hartcliffe as the 91st most deprived uartet Community Foundation (Quartet) was immense and Bristol will continue to depend on these neighbourhood out of almost 33,000 across is a charity focused on supporting organisations as it plans for an uncertain future. the country. communities across the West of England. By the end of August the Coronavirus 2020 Response Fund had Matt Andrew, Operations Manager for the Q Heart of BS13 said: “A young mum with Working together with nearly 300 fund holders awarded over £1m to more than 200 local projects; and by the and hundreds of charitable causes each year, end of September over £324,000 had been distributed amongst a terminal illness who lives locally was struggling to get the food her family needed Quartet offers grants to ensure that as many 35 groups to cover core costs and help them recover from the pandemic. during lockdown. We’ve been taking them people as possible can fulfil their potential. In the meals since March and will carry on for as As we head into our first winter living with Covid-19, Quartet long as they’re needed. This lady and her year to end March 2020 it awarded 984 grants has proposed a longer-term recovery plan for the West of worth more than £3.9m to small, local charitable children are just one of 211 households to England that would see £30m invested in local causes over the benefit from the emergency food response Staff and volunteers delivered meals to Hartcliffe and Withywood residents organisations. next five years. we’ve been running since March. When the pandemic hit, Quartet was uniquely placed to launch Ronnie said: “It’s thanks to the people who had the foresight an emergency Coronavirus 2020 Response Fund, distributing to set us up over 30 years ago, together with the trust our fund the funds to local causes within days. There was an immediate holders have put in us over many years to build the endowment need to get food and essential items to people and the first fund, that we were able to help vital local causes during this grants were made on 23rd March. The power of local giving crisis. Whatever the needs of the time might be, we will always Paul’s Place was enormous as donations to the appeal flooded in alongside be here to respond.” many desperate grant applications. By 31st March Quartet had efore lockdown, Paul’s Place ran a support already raised £165,000 for the dedicated fund and awarded nearly £100,000 in grants. service five days a week for disabled adults from across the wider Bristol area from their base at “The support from local people and organisations meant that B we could respond quickly to this unprecedented crisis,” said Coalpit Heath Cricket Club. But in March the charity Ronnie Brown, Interim CEO of Quartet. “By working together was temporarily forced to close its day facility due to with our fund holders, the media and local communities we government restrictions. could link those able to give with those who needed help throughout the pandemic. We saw the best of people as Bristol In response, and with funding from the Quartet Coronavirus 2020 came together to support its own communities.” Response Fund, Paul’s Place launched a virtual service alongside regular wellbeing telephone calls to its members. SMV provided a donation of £20,000 as soon as the fund launched. “This immediate funding helped to feed people Paul’s Place CEO Daniel Cheesman, said: “The day facility is a lifeline in need, provided 1-2-1 telephone support for older carers, for our members and we wanted to find a way to support them offered mental health interventions and much more,” said during lockdown and stay connected with each other. The grant Ronnie. helped to keep us going and cover costs during this difficult time and crucially, it allowed us to keep supporting our members.” The Bristol Post launched its own appeal to support the cause on 6th April, the Arms Around Bristol Appeal. Hundreds of new donors gave willingly to support those in need.

The virtual day centre in action, hosting a quiz for members Ronnie Brown unable to leave home

20 21 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

St Paul’s Carnival:

Spirit Up! LaToyah McAllister-Jones

Last year for example, Monmark in Clevedon provided branded United at Home t-shirts for every volunteer and UWE printed our carnival programme, all free of charge. Sponsoring an intern to work with us in developing the programme Amongst just a handful of donors this year was SMV who t Paul’s Carnival is Bristol’s best-known is another sponsorship avenue that helps to ensure succession provided a grant of £10,000 and who have supported us for cultural event, attracting over 100,000 planning for the carnival whilst having a positive social impact on several years running. Not one of our funders pulled out, the career and aspirations of a young person. visitors to the city every year, generating despite the complete change in direction, which meant that we S could offer an accessible platform to artists who had just lost all We are also keen to attract more volunteers. It’s a great way to £5.1m in revenue for Bristol, particularly for the tourism, hospitality and entertainment sectors. bookings for the foreseeable future and enhance our outreach become involved in such an exciting event. Our volunteers create to schools who were themselves rapidly increasing online new networks, learn new skills and gain confidence. Executive Director of St Paul’s Carnival CIC, LaToyah McAllister- engagement with students. Jones, explains how this year’s event was delivered exclusively St Paul’s Carnival 2020 Planning for Carnival 2021 is already underway. We expect it to be on a digital platform for the first time since the Carnival began One of the most exciting outcomes of delivering this year’s a hybrid of digital and live events, including a week of digital fringe in 1958. digital carnival is the many new partnerships we developed. We events and an engaging schools programme. Funding remains a worked closely with Trinity Arts Centre who hosted us on the Over 250,000 people from all over the world engaged with the critical component to our sustainability, ensuring that this historic When lockdown was announced in March, we had no day; Bristol Arts Channel provided a platform for a diverse range carnival online and we came as close as possible to delivering and important cultural event continues to take place choice but to cancel the traditional street carnival. But of events during June, culminating with Carnival Day itself on a traditional Caribbean carnival, without being on the streets and reach the community, building social cohesion and taking it off the table completely for 2020 was never July 4th; Bristol City Council Safety Advisory Group supported absorbing the array of smells, tastes and colours. understanding. If you’re reading this and wondering how to an option. People needed a sense of joy and hope us with key aspects of our event planning to ensure that we The event sector has now changed forever and with a global get involved, we’d love to hear from you! more than ever and we were determined to keep the carnival were Covid-compliant; and Bristol Festivals helped to promote audience consuming content in different ways, we must take the LaToyah McAllister-Jones, Executive Director of St Paul’s Carnival CIC spirit alive. Our vision was to celebrate African Caribbean our events, as did the Bristol Post and Ujima Radio. We also culture in a safe but engaging way. opportunity to develop lasting business relationships and build a received support from Encounters Film Festival, Bristol’s Got rewarding sponsorship programme. In addition to financial support, Talent and the Sound System Federation. These partnerships We’re a really small team and if you’d asked me a year ago if we welcome support in kind. www.stpaulscarnival.net/contact-us [email protected] we could deliver a completely digital carnival with a two-week played a vital role in creating an engaging programme and we cultural programme and an 11-hour live stream with under four will continue to strengthen them. months to prepare, I’d have said that’s just not possible. Well, The two-week fringe programme, jam-packed with carnival with teamwork, tenacity and the sheer enthusiasm of everyone arts, culture, history and community, attracted 20,000 views The Venturers Trust Endowment Fund involved, it is possible. In fact, the St Paul’s Carnival 2020 online. These colourful and immersive sessions included he Venturers Trust Endowment Fund has Amongst the many exceeded expectations on every level. costume making, film, music and dance, sharing the traditions been supporting SMV-sponsored schools for activities and projects Thankfully, the funding we had secured earlier in the year of African Caribbean culture, celebrating diversity and approved this year is a enabled us to adapt and evolve our approach very quickly. encouraging greater social cohesion. many years. Originally derived from member summer camp for 140 T pupils from Barton Hill Our community Elders are a big part of the St donations and trusts, 100 per cent of the income Paul’s Carnival and we typically start Carnival generated is passed directly to schools. Academy; a visit to the Day with an Elders Brunch at the Malcolm X Houses of Parliament The Fund has grown over the years from investments, generous Centre to thank them for their contributions and for Year 6 pupils from legacies and ongoing donations made by individual SMV members. ongoing support to our community. With that not Bannerman Road possible this year, Quartet Community Foundation The invested money generates an annual income which in the Community Academy; sponsored a brunch-on-wheels and thanks to academic year 2019/20 reached £140,000. Funds are shared a series of three mental St Mary’s Kitchen and our volunteer drivers, 34 between the schools equally, based on student numbers and health and wellbeing brunches were delivered to the homes of our schools apply for their allocation each academic term by citing initiatives for students Elders on carnival morning. enrichment activities and projects that require funding. The SMV and staff from CGS; Endowment Committee reviews all applications and in the first a whole-school maths The day continued with an authentic digital two terms of the last academic year, almost 100 applications were puzzle day for Fairlawn carnival experience - a cultural melting pot of approved. Primary School pupils; a boat trip around Bristol Harbour for music, story, history, dance, drumming, fancy Year 1 pupils from The Dolphin School as part of their topic ‘Where dress, food and drink. After the blessing and Covid-19 has meant that many of the trips and activities planned is my city?’; a visit to Stonehenge for Year 6 pupils from Merchants’ a message from Barbara Dettering, founding since March of this year have had to be cancelled or postponed. Academy Primary as part of their topic ‘Stone Age to Iron Age’; member of St Paul’s Carnival, our impressive line- However, the underspend will be carried forward to 2020/21 and a visit to Tate Modern for GCSE art students from Merchants’ up of DJs covered traditional carnival music genres future years to ensure that students don’t miss out. Academy; and a series of horse riding lessons for pupils from such as dancehall, reggae and soca, through to The Endowment Fund allows SMV-sponsored schools to provide Venturers’ Academy, a therapeutic activity with many benefits for dub, calypso and drum and bass. extra activities for students that would otherwise not be possible. children with autism.

St Paul’s Carnival 2019 22 23 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Hidden Heroes of Covid-19

mongst the many amazing key workers working so hard to help others stay safe during the pandemic, are the inspirational staff and teachers across Venturers Trust and Colston’s School; and the caring, dedicated Ateams at the Cote Charity and the St Monica Trust. We truly appreciate everything you do… “My son has complex learning difficulties and we were really concerned that his “Staff worked incredibly hard to care for progress might regress during lockdown. Education our school community during lockdown. But less than one week in, we received a Alongside a consistent routine of teaching call from Libby, the speech and language and learning for all year groups, staff therapist teacher, who scheduled twice promoted wellbeing through calming weekly online therapy lessons. I sat activities such as virtual story time for through the lessons too and picked up younger pupils; and they made sure basic Makaton skills which has really helped that all vulnerable families had access to Colleen Marcia Neil us all to communicate better at home.” food vouchers, school work and pastoral Hayley, parent, Venturers’ Academy Colleen Findlay and Marcia Anderson Neil Wiltshire provided continuous (L) Sam Williamson, Principal of Merchants’ support.” James, parent governor, Academy and Executive Lead Secondaries for regularly worked additional night shifts. maintenance support across all Cote Venturers Trust, appearing on BBC News The Dolphin School Charity sites and learnt to operate the Mrs Howells Miss Blything “Thank you very much for all the hard work trishaw for the enjoyment of residents. you do, especially during this difficult time. Supporting students during lockdown, Mrs Sam Williamson was a national and Your efforts are very much appreciated “Thank you to all the staff for the fantastic Howells made sure that all CGS families in regional TV and radio-regular during by all the residents here.” Ian, Katherine care you give Mum and the other residents. need of food vouchers continued to receive lockdown and a brilliant ambassador for House resident Wonderful at the best of times but in these them; and Miss Blything maintained regular Venturers Trust. She answered viewer’s difficult times, truly outstanding.” Son of contact with all Y12 students to support questions about home learning, online Beryl, Griffiths House resident home learning. resources and wellbeing, helping students and families to stay positive. “The school lent us a laptop during lockdown, which meant that my children “Through the Trust and with the support of our sponsors, we were able to deliver Mr Clarke could access home learning and didn’t fall Eleanor, a Y13 student from Colston’s School, much-needed practical support to many behind.” Camille, carer, Colston’s Year 3 and 4 Hawk Class students from with homemade scrub bags young people and families during a period Girls’ School Merchants’ Academy Primary really of exceptional challenge, including trauma appreciated the daily online book readings “Staff, pupils and Old Colstonians helped to counselling, mental health support and the narrated by their brilliant teacher Mr Clarke make kit bags and masks for key workers, Louise, Emily and Sabina provision of sensory equipment at home for whose enthusiastic and animated delivery creating a real sense of community through children with severe special needs.” Trystan was captivating! a difficult time.” Jeremy McCullough, Louise Vines, Emily Unsworth-White and Williams, Principal of Venturers’ Academy Headmaster of Colston’s School Sabina Green delivered a stimulating “The school called us every week during and Executive Lead Primary and Specialist activities programme and helped residents Lola, Lorraine and Natasha Academies, Venturers Trust lockdown. Not to check up on us, but to upskill on social media. check in with us, to make sure that we were The Cote Charity Lola Bardho, Lorraine Beresford and “Daily deliveries of packed lunches, all ok. This is what it means to be part of “We really appreciate the many ways Natasha Heavens from the housekeeping vouchers and school work for my children the school community.” Christine, parent, you’ve enabled us to stay in touch. We team worked so hard to maintain the made such a difference to my family, thank The Kingfisher School love the Facetime calls, emails and looking highest standards of hygiene. you to the wonderful teachers who went through the photos on Instagram!” the extra mile for us.” Abiir, parent, Daughter of Joyce, Katherine House Clio, a Y4 pupil from Fairlawn Primary School Bannerman Road Community Academy resident An incredible achievement by the families from Fairlawn Primary School who successfully completed the Fairlawn Moving Mountains Challenge raising over £3,000 for Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Jess and Bryony Linda and Tracey Malawi, while at the same time staying active during lockdown. Their combined Jess Segesdy and Bryony Cataldo provided steps were equal to climbing Mount Everest live-in care for three months and five times! Lakhile, a Y8 student from Venturers’ Academy volunteered in other support roles. Mrs Harris Mrs Wilson Mrs Dury Sue and Vivienne “Everyone in the Central Team worked Lakhile used his incredible talent for music Linda Hawker and Tracey Bacon worked Mrs Harris, Mrs Wilson and Mrs Dury to share positive messages of hope during relentlessly behind the scenes during many additional shifts to provide continuity “Vivienne Withers and Sue Thorne are hosted an interactive Y6 virtual camp so lockdown. lockdown and over the summer to ensure of care for residents. Nichola and Mariusz an inspirational leadership team whose that Merchants’ Academy students didn’t that all schools were ready to welcome expertise, determination and compassion miss out. They arranged virtual tours of “The school teamed up with St Luke’s Lunch “A great big thank you to all the staff at Chefs Nichola Harvey and Mariusz pupils back safely and that systems and shine through. They worked tirelessly different places and set various camp tasks to organise hampers for vulnerable families Katherine House for the way they look Kwiatkowski provided residents with a services kept everything going. We also to ensure the safety and wellbeing of with prizes for the best campsite at home who couldn’t leave the house during after us. Nothing is ever too much trouble. delicious, healthy menu every day. undertook a Trust-wide IT overhaul, led by all residents and staff under extremely and the tidiest ‘dorms’. lockdown. Without their support this crisis I’m happy here, I feel that I belong.” Gerry, Paul Farrell, whose leadership and work would have been even worse. It’s really Katherine House resident “You are all so kind and caring, I don’t know challenging circumstances.” John Laycock, ethic was exemplary.” David Watson OBE, kept us going.” Kelly, parent, Barton Hill what I’d do without you.” Michel, Katherine Chair of SMV Care for Older People CEO of Venturers Trust Academy House resident Committee

24 25 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 If you can see it, you can

be it. Illustration by kind permission of David Parkins

If you can see it, you can be it.” This powerful message “is part of everyday life for the pupils of Fairlawn Primary School in Montpelier. Founded in 2015, the school follows an enquiry-based curriculum with a particular focus on STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics). Some STEAM industries are traditionally seen as male and inclusive of race, ethnicity and gender, expanding upon the contributions of women are often overlooked. As part the Women You Should Know initiative. To complement the of the school’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, existing display, the school commissioned a further ten pieces a permanent display of art was recently installed around the of artwork to include inspirational men and women, some with school to remind pupils that gender should not be perceived close connections to Bristol. as a barrier in any industry. The ‘Women You Should Know’ The school works closely with an active group of parents who posters, part of a national initiative, celebrate women from all together explore ways to improve diversity and representation over the world who are STEAM role models. in the curriculum. They identified ten STEAM innovators Principal Julie Molesworth wanted all pupils to be able to see representative of the student body, which is 50% BAME. A themselves in these powerful images and launched a new member of the group reached out to Bristol-based Rising Arts project unique to Fairlawn School, designed to be Agency who introduced talented local artist Nick Ogri. Nick met the design brief perfectly and the impressive series of inspirational images was displayed proudly inside and outside the school to coincide with Black History Month. Julie reports that the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the display creating a sense of excitement and celebration throughout the school and within the community. “We want our pupils to aspire to achieve great things, just like these inspirational role models from culturally diverse backgrounds,” she said. “There are no limits to what young people can achieve and our pupils know that with hard work, they can be anything they aspire to be.”

The Women You Should Know poster series Four of the ten new posters designed for Fairlawn Primary School by Bristol-based artist Nick Ogri 26 27 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

Fiona Francombe successfully lobbied Bristol City Council for support in retaining Membership television production in the city. New Members Fiona is the recently appointed Principal and CEO of Bristol Old In 2010 Fiona established the Bottle Yard Studios in previously Vic Theatre School, which delivers world-leading education and disused warehouses on a seven-acre site on the outskirts of vocational training in drama and technical theatre and screen. Bristol. The Council-owned studios are now one of the leading production facilities in the country, contributing greatly to the millions of pounds generated by the media sector for the local economy each year. Fiona is deeply committed to widening diversity and inclusion in the creative sector and has consistently championed Bristol as an international hub for film and TV production. She was instrumental in the city’s successful bids to become a UNESCO City of Film in 2017 and a Channel 4 creative hub in 2019. She is a Trustee for the Cathedral Schools Trust, a member of the Dolphin Society and the Royal Television Society (West) Committee, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the West of England in July 2019 for her services to film and television. Fiona has recently become a member of SMV’s Collections & Marti Burgess David Powell Following a career in theatre stage management, Fiona moved Heritage Committee. to Bristol in 1993 and worked as a freelancer for a variety of Marti is a partner at national law firm, Bevan Brittan where David is a qualified solicitor and has been a partner with local television dramas. In response to the BBC’s 2009 decision to she specialises in corporate law for the SME sector within the law firm Osborne Clarke LLP since 2007, where he specialises in relocate production of dramas such as Casualty to Cardiff, she Commercial and Infrastructure Department. residential development. In 1994 before qualifying as a lawyer, Marti launched a family He spends the majority of his spare time supporting a broad business with her brother, establishing Lakota in Stokes Croft, range of charitable activities within the South West region, now an internationally renowned music venue. Marti remains including the Park Community Centre in Knowle West, where Michael Hill MBE a director of the business which also owns several properties in he has been a Trustee since 2009. Set in over 15 acres, the Park and around Stokes Croft. is a registered charity supporting the local community where Emeritus Michael Hill has been a member of SMV since 1980 and he is the second generation of his family to have joined the Society. Marti is a board member of Bristol Cultural Development a disproportionately high number of residents are affected by Over the past 40 years he has given a great deal of his time and Partnership and the One City Economy Board, where she unemployment and poverty. The aim of the Park is to support erchant Venturer Emeritus expertise to supporting the Society’s charitable work, including represents Bristol @ Night. She is also the Chair of St Paul’s local people to access education and employment, be fit and as a past member of the Standing Committee and a long-serving Carnival CIC, the organisation responsible for one the largest healthy, appreciate each other, enjoy life and reach their full membership allows long-serving member of the Collections & Heritage Committee. celebrations of African Caribbean culture in Europe. potential. members to retain their connection Michael left school with four O-levels and joined the Coldstream In addition, Marti chairs the Black South West Network, a David is also a member and past President of the Grateful M with the Society, but with a reduced level of Guards, working his way up to become Second Lieutenant in BAME led organisation delivering race equality work through Society, which raises significant funds to support older people commitment on their part. Individual Emeritus 1958. In 1961 he joined Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., based in the undertaking robust BAME led research with the ambition to in Bristol and the surrounding area; he was closely involved Albion Dockyard where he held various positions including Group have a society where inequality and discrimination on the with Invest in Bristol, which reports to the Local Enterprise status is agreed by the Standing Committee Training Officer. He was appointed a director of the business in basis of racial or ethnic categorisation is wholly and completely Partnership and seeks to bring new employers, both national and is extended to members who have made 1975. In 1980 he joined Jeffries Avonmouth Ltd. as Marketing absent. and international, into the region; and he is a past Director of Bristol Rugby Club. a significant contribution to the Society’s work Director, where he worked until retirement. Marti considers herself an active citizen and is driven by her over a sustained period of time. During this Since then, Michael has focused on his charitable interests which ambition to help make Bristol a better place for young people On behalf of SMV, David is a member of the Downs Committee. include the SS Great Britain Trust – where he was closely involved of all backgrounds to grow up in. She believes that improving He is also Chair of the Property & Estates Committee of year, one member has become a Merchant in the ship’s restoration, the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, equality across the city is a vital first step. Venturers Trust which is responsible for the land and buildings Venturer Emeritus. of eight academies, ensuring that public money is spent wisely St John Ambulance, St John Eye Hospital (Jerusalem), Bath Abbey, Since joining SMV, Marti has become a member of the and in the interest of effective teaching and learning. the Antient Society of St Stephen’s Ringers, the Dolphin Society Membership Committee and the Communications Committee. and the Coldstream Guards Association.

28 29 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

Merchant Venturer demonstrations hit a raw nerve for Not only is it the right thing for businesses Highlights me. I couldn’t fathom how we’d made to do, there is increasing demand from such little progress in over three years customers, staff and stakeholders for following such a damning report in 2017. fairness and equality. ur members give their time and expertise on a completely voluntary basis, working with I’m the Executive Director of Operations Already I have support from well- many other individuals and organisations across the city who share their vision to improve at Wessex Water, and as an employer respected, large influential organisations social inclusion and eradicate inequality across Greater Bristol. We asked six members Wessex Water has been supportive employing thousands of staff within O from the moment I described my plans the city. They agree that we have a to tell us about a highlight from the past year to illustrate the scale of impact achieved through to explore a business-led, city-wide fundamental responsibility to address collaborative working. Mohammed Saddiq project to improve social inclusion. issues of inequality and to make Member of SMV Standing Committee, They recognised the resource that lasting, sustainable changes to the It was clear that staff genuinely missed shortage of PPE equipment and made over Membership Committee and Governor will be required in terms of my time way businesses operate. The initiative their students and went out of their way to 1,000 face shields for local hospitals and at Colston’s Girls’ School spearheading this initiative but they know is aligned with the Bristol One City make sure that students and their families care homes. how much it matters. Instead of putting Approach which aims to make Bristol a remained safe and well; and felt connected I have recently launched a social inclusion up hurdles, to the contrary they invited fair, healthy and sustainable city of hope The Fairlawn Primary School community with the school. initiative: a collaborative, business-led another senior team member to help me and aspiration, where everyone can share helped to provide PPE equipment for a approach to tackling some of the get this off the ground. in its success. While the central Trust team worked hard struggling hospital in Malawi by setting injustices identified in the 2017 So, over the last few months I’ve We’re now drawing together a Board and to ensure that systems and processes a mountain climbing challenge, where Runnymede Report that shone a spotlight approached like-minded organisations from there we’ll set a strategy. Through kept going to support onsite and remote families climbed the stairs at home on Bristol as a divided city. The report across Bristol to gauge their appetite to commitments and activities that include learning, teachers found innovative ways until they had collectively reached the found that ethnic minorities in Bristol, get involved. quality apprenticeships, work placements, to engage with their pupils. Alongside equivalent of Mount Everest’s peak five in particular black African people, Katharine Finn mentoring, coaching, outreach to schools, the provision of distance learning, some times, raising over £3,000. experience greater disadvantage than It has quickly become clear that I’m Member of SMV Education Committee teachers posted exercise videos or healthy colleges and universities, I believe that we With schools trying hard to remain fully the national average in education and not the only one to see the enormous challenges on Twitter; they read stories can successfully diversify the workforce open, I am so impressed by the many employment. potential of an initiative that seeks to level The Education Committee oversees the to younger pupils; launched innovative to see a meaningful difference in Bristol ways in which staff are continuing to the playing field so that everyone can academic, governance and financial projects to inspire kindness, such as writing A spotlight shone again on Bristol this within five years. support their communities, particularly benefit, regardless of where you come positions of Colston’s School and the to the postman to say thank you, or summer and the Black Lives Matter with a recovery approach to learning from or what you look like. eight academies within Venturers Trust, displaying rainbows in windows at home. ensuring a high level of accountability. We that addresses not only lost time in the provide both support and challenge to Trystan Williams and Sam Williamson, classroom but also wellbeing. Throughout the Chairs and senior leaders, who report the Principals of Venturers’ Academy the pandemic all staff across Venturers all watched safely from our homes as the In the first six weeks alone, we provided to us regularly. During the height of the and Merchants’ Academy respectively, Trust and at Colston’s School have NHS key workers put their lives on the line over 10,000 meals. Everyone took pandemic, with the majority of school gave national media interviews on TV, demonstrated incredible resilience and to care for the ever increasing number of enormous pride in being able to support monitoring visits postponed, these reports radio and online to help others navigate team spirit. They are an asset to their patients on Covid-19 wards. the frontline workers and for four months, their way through unchartered territory; school communities and to the Society’s from April to July, over 25 members of our provided us with a detailed insight of As the national situation deteriorated, we while Colston’s School responded to the work in Education. team worked as volunteers seven days a school life in lockdown. became aware of an initiative called Food week on a rota, never once complaining. 4 Heroes that was calling on local catering As Junior Warden, I have two years to SMV is a social purpose membership companies and restaurants to prepare and I already knew that we had a brilliant prepare for my year as Master which, all organisation and we operate with an deliver high quality meals free of charge team, but the way in which they stepped being well, will be 2022-23. A key part of increasingly high level of transparency. Alastair Currie to support frontline NHS staff. After long up without hesitation, putting others this is continuing to work very closely with Member of SMV Membership shifts, doctors and nurses were struggling before themselves, has been a humbling In specific areas of our work we report to the 14 other members of SMV’s Standing Committee and Communications to get hold of nutritious food to help experience that will always stay with me. official regulators including Ofsted, the Committee, the decision-making body that Committee them refuel. Charity Commission and the Care Quality shapes our current and future direction. Commission. I’m the Chairman of Bristol-based Foster’s We immediately contacted all Foster’s staff Members are elected to the Standing to see if they wanted to get involved and Over the past year, one particular highlight Event Catering and we started the month Committee for a minimum term of three the response was overwhelming. Other for me has been the enthusiasm for of March with a diary filled with back- years, meeting eight times a year, with than those who were shielding, every change, shared by all members of the to-back events stretching through the Patrick Despard SMV’s Master as Chair. As well as looking single member of the team volunteered Standing Committee. Although SMV is an summer and beyond. Then, like all other SMV Junior Warden 2020-21, member after the day-to-day running of the Society, and within days we were all busier than organisation dating back more than 450 businesses in the hospitality sector, every of SMV Standing Committee, Estates the Standing Committee oversees 15 ever cooking, preparing, packaging and years, our focus is firmly on the future and booking was cancelled the moment & Property Committee, Finance & other Committees, spanning our work in delivering five-star meals to NHS staff at ensuring that we continue to evolve in lockdown was announced. We had no Investment Committee and Investment all areas. Using our collective experience Southmead Hospital and the Bristol Royal order to help communities across Greater choice but to furlough our staff while we Strategy Group; and for Venturers Trust, and expertise we represent the wider Infirmary. Bristol to thrive for the long-term. a member of the Estates Committee membership, developing and implementing strategic decisions to drive forward the Society’s extensive charitable work.

30 31 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

In 2016, alongside many other generous profits generated by the transatlantic donors, SMV gave over £700,000 to the slave trade. Within the heart of the ‘Anniversary Works’ made up of a £50,000 theatre, we will now permanently be charitable grant and over £650,000 from reminded of Equiano’s vision, creativity individual members. and courage to challenge and reform injustice. It was particularly fitting that SMV’s contribution was put towards the creation The exterior of the new studio has been of an educational suite for young people brought to life in a magnificent mural from all over the city and not just those by local artist Michele Curtis, with an Denis Burn already familiar with the theatre. accompanying and powerful narrative provided by Bristol-based writer, Member of SMV Charity Committee We were delighted when the Bristol academic, historian and programme- and Communications Committee Old Vic team proposed a name for this curator Dr Edson Burton. inspirational space: The Equiano Studio. The Bristol Old Vic is an important part When Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and Olaudah Equiano was born in 1745. He of Bristol that combines art, theatre, the theatre emerges once again as a hub was sold into slavery as a child and later education and heritage. of creativity and inspiration, I hope that purchased his own freedom, becoming an you will visit the Equiano Studio, reflecting I was the Vice Chair of trustees during the author and pioneering abolitionist. on the past it remembers and the courage 250th anniversary restoration project that it celebrates, while imagining the future it sought to raise £25m for the theatre’s Some of the money used to build the holds for Bristol’s youth. redevelopment. theatre in 1766 undoubtedly came from

As this happened a team arrived on the The Nightingale Hospital Bristol gave The Bristol Old Vic Theatre University of the West of England (UWE) us all hope and provided the NHS with Frenchay Campus in Bristol to build a 301- much-needed intensive care capacity. bed fully ventilated field hospital in the During the first wave, our hospitals Exhibition and Conference Centre. performed brilliantly and we all helped MERCHANTS’ HALL limit the spread of Covid-19. As the threat As the Vice-Chancellor, President and CEO of a further wave increases, Bristol and of UWE, I had a unique insight into this the South West can be assured that the massive project which brought together Nightingale is ready to respond. Available for weddings, clinicians, academics, architects, army and Professor Steve West CBE, DL MOD logistics, construction engineers, It has been an honour to be able to corporate events Member of SMV Communications NHS organisations and procurement mobilise UWE in so many ways over the Committee specialists. It took just four weeks to last nine months and I pay tribute to and private functions deliver, commission and operationalise the everyone who came together to support field hospital, ready to receive the sickest the national and local effort to save lives. March 2020 is a month few will forget. WEDDINGS & CIVIL CEREMONIES We were catapulted into a global patients from across the region. Now we must continue to support each other through the difficult times that lie pandemic. A deadly virus, Covid-19, was We hoped that the Nightingale Hospital BANQUETS & BIRTHDAY ahead as we learn to live with Covid-19. rapidly spreading through the UK and the Bristol would never be needed but CELEBRATIONS Government locked down the country to everyone involved worked and trained in save lives and protect the NHS from being preparation and they remain ready, should CONFERENCES & SEMINARS overwhelmed. the hospital be needed to support patients affected by subsequent waves of the virus. EXEMPLARY SERVICE EXQUISITE CATERING BEAUTIFUL GARDENS & AMPLE PARKING ‘TEA AND A TOUR’ FOR PRIVATE GROUPS

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32 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020 Society of Merchant Venturers | Annual Review 2020

raditionally held on 10th November each year, Charter Day commemorates the New Master Tgranting of the Royal Charter to the Society of Merchant Venturers by Edward VI in 1552, endorsed by Charles I in 1639. On this day, the Looks Ahead new Master of the Society for the ensuing year takes office and is sworn in at Merchants’ Hall The Bristol Curriculum and the One City Plan are both positive after a special service in Bristol Cathedral. initiatives that will improve social inclusion and they have our full support. In education we must address attainment gaps and Charter Day looks a little different this year, not least because the ensure that all children can see themselves represented in the Covid-19 pandemic prevents the traditional Cathedral service from curriculum; while a fairer, healthier, more sustainable city by 2050 taking place. is the vision of the One City Plan. The new Master for 2020-21 is Gillian Camm DL who joined SMV The BBC this summer described the Society as a ‘social purpose in 2003, since which time she has been actively involved in the organisation’ and this seemed an appropriate encapsulation Society’s work, particularly in education. Until last year she was of who we are and what we are about. We want to work with Chair of Governors for Colston’s Girls’ School and she is a current others to make the city a better place for everyone. Over the past Trustee of Venturers Trust. year we have had the privilege of working with a wide variety of Gillian has had a varied private sector career spanning many businesses, community groups and charities, as well as Bristol City decades. She started in manufacturing engineering and came to Council, and we look forward to continuing these relationships, Bristol to work with Hay Management Consultants where she working together towards the vision of the One City Plan. was a partner. She later served on the board of Clerical Medical Young people need access to employment, quality apprenticeships Investment Group. She has worked in a variety of sectors, in both and relevant work experience. There are willing employers and executive and non-executive positions, including locally at Wessex there are talented young people for whom such opportunities Water where she was the Senior Independent Director. In addition, would be a springboard to a better future, increasing social she has held a variety of leadership roles in higher education as mobility. Through the One City Plan we will build on the work we Chair of UWE and Chair of the Leadership Foundation. She was a have been doing in this area, redoubling our efforts to connect member of the General Medical Council and is a former non- employers with talented young people across the Greater executive director at the Home Office. Bristol region. The outgoing Master described 2020 as a ‘tumultuous’ year. Apprenticeships also upskill and reskill older workers, often giving a Here, Gillian Camm, Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers second chance to those who have lost their job and are struggling 2020-21 explains why this is just the beginning. to find employment, another crippling consequence of Covid-19.

Much has happened this year and the result is a welcome Businesses today understand that being profitable is not enough acceleration in the pace of change. and they must make a wider contribution to society as a whole. Many local businesses are eager to play their part and we can The devastation caused by Covid-19 highlighted the help facilitate this process by utilising our networks across schools, importance of looking after each other and supporting charities, social enterprises and wider business. charities, both large and small, that provide lifelines to so many communities; and the momentous events of the summer made As a group of individuals who volunteer our time to be part of a everyone question: am I doing everything I can to end racism, social purpose organisation focused on improving the Greater inequality and injustice? Bristol region for everyone, we are resolved to listen, learn and understand; and to work with others to make a difference. I believe this is a defining moment in history; where we go from this point and what happens next is of vital importance. We accept that there is much we need to learn and acknowledge about the Society’s past and that we must be more representative Bristol is a wonderful place to live and work, but it is also a city as we engage and connect with diverse communities across Bristol. that has been described as divided, where the disadvantaged face This is something we are actively working on. overwhelming odds and where some communities and citizens feel marginalised and excluded. In many ways this has been a tumultuous year, but it has also been a catalyst for change that offers many SMV describes itself as ‘helping communities across Greater Bristol new beginnings and I am looking forward to a busy year to thrive’ and we will be held to account on delivering this promise. ahead. We, along with others, must show that we can collaborate to achieve ambitious goals, come to terms with our history and create a city where everyone has a stake.

34 35 merchantventurers.com @SMVBristol