Connecting in Neighbourhoods: Learn, Design, Decide
What does it mean to be good neighbours to each other?
At St Anne’s House, we’ve been thinking about how we can strengthen the connections between people, groups and organisations across St Anne’s, Brislington and the wider BS4 area. As our neighbourhoods change and grow, how do we make sure people are connected, resourced and able to shape the places they live?
There’s already so much happening locally. People are bringing neighbours together, sharing skills, looking out for each other and imagining new ways to make life better in their communities. We want to build on that.
This autumn, we’re bringing people together through a programme of free training, collaborative workshops and community gatherings, creating space to learn, design and decide together.
Learn
We’re starting with Connecting in Neighbourhoods, a free one-day training session on Saturday 24 October.
Delivered by St Anne’s House and Bristol City Council’s Community Development Team, the training will introduce the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach to connecting communities.
It’s about recognising the strengths, skills, relationships and resources that already exist around us, and thinking about how we can build on them to take action on the things that matter to our neighbourhoods.
You don’t need to have experience of community development or organising to take part. Whether you’re a local resident, volunteer with a community group, or work with communities or groups nearby, you’re welcome. If this is completely new to you, we’d particularly like to hear from you.
Book your place on the Connecting in Neighbourhoods Training
Design
Once we’ve started learning together, we’ll move into two community ideas co-design workshops in November.
These sessions are for anyone with an idea they’d like to try out in their community. It doesn’t need to be fully formed, and you don’t need to know exactly how you’d make it happen.
Together, we’ll explore and strengthen ideas, drawing on the knowledge and experience in the room and working towards proposals that are ready to share with the wider community.
There will be two sessions to make the programme accessible to as many people as possible. You only need to attend one.
Details and booking information for the November co-design workshops will be added to our Eventbrite collection as soon as dates are confirmed.
Decide
In December, everyone who has developed a community idea will be invited to a Community SOUP Project Pitch Dinner.
Inspired by the Community SOUP model that began in Detroit and has since travelled to communities around the world, the evening will bring people together over a shared meal to hear the ideas that have been developed.
Think Dragon’s Den, but with a community dinner, a much friendlier atmosphere and ideas focused on making our neighbourhoods better places to live.
The people in the room will help decide which ideas should receive funding. Every project will have the chance to receive a £500 kickstart fund, alongside producer support and guidance from St Anne’s House to help get the idea off the ground.
The dinner will take place on Wednesday 10 December.
Details and booking information for the Community SOUP Project Pitch Dinner will be added to our Eventbrite collection as the programme develops.
Come to one, or come to them all
The programme is designed so that you can take part in whatever way works for you.
You can come to the training, bring an idea to a co-design workshop, pitch at the community dinner, or follow the whole journey from Learn, to Design, to Decide.
The training and co-design workshops are free. The Community SOUP dinner will be offered on a sliding scale, with contributions going towards the pot of money available for local projects, alongside funding from St Anne’s House.
At each stage, we’re interested in what happens when we make space for people to learn from each other, develop ideas together and decide collectively what could make a difference locally.
We’re not coming with all the answers. We’re interested in experimenting together and seeing what we can make possible.
Together, we’re practising how to be good neighbours.
Who can get involved?
The programme is open to people with a BS4 postcode, with local residents of St Anne’s especially encouraged to take part. Volunteers in local community groups and people working with communities or groups nearby are also welcome.
You don’t need to have done anything like this before.
We’re particularly keen to hear from people who are new to community organising and have an idea, interest or question they’d like to explore.
Access
Most of the programme will take place at St Anne’s House. Individual event listings will include specific access information.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided at the training, and you can let us know about any allergies or dietary requirements when booking.
If childcare, travel or another access need would make it difficult for you to attend, please get in touch. We have set aside a budget for access support and want to work with you to remove barriers wherever we can.
Connecting in Neighbourhoods Training
Saturday 24 October 2026, 9.30am–4.30pm
Community Ideas Co-design Workshops
November 2026, dates coming soon
Community SOUP Project Pitch Dinner
Wednesday 10 December 2026
Want to know more before you book? Email tim@bricksbristol.org or get in touch with St Anne’s House and we can have a chat.