Since you helped to shape Bristol’s successful Local Access Programme bid to make our social economy more inclusive, the world has changed. But the argument for social enterprise as part of your income diversity remains strong. And the benefits to our city of a more equal society and economy have only been made clearer by the social and financial effects of coronavirus, where the most disadvantaged are hit hardest.

So although Bristol’s Local Access Programme has been delayed by the pandemic, as we start to think about what the recovery will look like, it's actually a good time to get moving again. That’s why we’re inviting you to a webinar on Thursday 30 July, to update you on work to date, and restart engagement work and influence. (Local Access is not an emergency grants programme; it began before coronavirus and, with the programme running for up to 10 years, it will contribute to our longer-term economic recovery.)

During the webinar we’ll review:

• The original plan, and progress so far in adding detail to the proposal.
• The impact of lockdown on a pilot phase and programme.
• Where you are now and how your ambitions may have changed since last year.
• The opportunities for you to join the programme as a participant, an advisor or a member of the steering group shaping the programme together.

There’ll also be a Q&A with the organisations that have helped the proposal up until now: Black South West Network, Voscur, Bristol & Bath Regional Capital, and School for Social Entrepreneurs Dartington.

In 2019 we said that “we are working to make Bristol’s overall economy not bigger but better,” by making it more socially-driven, fairer and more inclusive. At the time it was an ambitious goal.

Recently, however, the ‘Build Back Better’ initiative and Bristol’s One City Economy Board have shared the same ambition: not to get back to an economy that wasn’t working for many people anyway, but to a more sustainable and social economy where everyone can share in its success. Now this goal looks a lot more achievable, so join us to help make it happen.

Book your place for the webinar now, or contact us if you have any questions in advance.

We’ll look forward to seeing you on Thursday 30 July.

Bristol’s successful bid:

• Original proposal: executive summary (October 2019)
• Original proposal: complete submission (October 2019)