Over the next 18 months, LIFT: From Foundations to Transformation grant will help Trinity strengthen its creative programmes, develop its workforce and explore new approaches to community-led decision-making.

Trinity Community Arts is embarking on its next stage of development with support from Arts Council England, building on its established role in East Bristol while creating the foundations for its future.

Through LIFT: From Foundations to Transformation, Trinity will invest in its creative programmes, workforce development and digital infrastructure, alongside exploring new ways for communities to shape cultural activity and organisational priorities.

The 18-month project will support Trinity's core programmes across Creative Communities, Creative Health and Wellbeing, and Trinity Presents, its in-house programme of live music, performance and events. Together, these programmes create opportunities for people to take part in creative activity, support artists and connect culture with the needs and experiences of local communities.

A key part of LIFT will be developing and piloting a new Membership Panel, creating opportunities for community members to play a more active role in shaping Trinity's cultural offer and organisational priorities.

This builds on Trinity's involvement in Citizens for Culture, a programme exploring how people can have a greater say in the cultural decisions that affect them. Drawing on this learning, Trinity will explore how to move beyond consultation towards more meaningful shared decision-making.

Adam Gallacher, Deputy CEO at Trinity Community Arts, said:

“LIFT is about building on what we’ve learnt and creating the conditions for Trinity to keep developing. We want to strengthen the work we’re already doing with communities and artists, while making space to test new approaches and think differently about how decisions are made.

“Our involvement in Citizens for Culture has helped us explore what citizen-led cultural decision-making could look like. This project gives us the opportunity to build on that learning, work out what it means in practice for Trinity, and develop an approach that gives communities a more meaningful role in shaping our work.

“It’s about recognising the value of what we’ve built so far, while creating the foundations for what comes next.”

LIFT will also support Trinity's longer-term development as a multi-site cultural organisation, building on the experience and relationships established at Trinity Centre as work develops at Jacobs Wells Baths.

Alongside its creative programmes, investment in workforce development and digital infrastructure will strengthen Trinity's capacity to work across both sites, connect with audiences and communities, and build a sustainable future for its work across Bristol and the wider region.

For the first time, communities will have the opportunity to directly influence and choose the programmes that best meet their needs

Jamell Ackford, Director of Culture at Trinity Community Arts, adds:

"It’s exciting to have this opportunity to take our engagement with local communities a step further. Through our Membership Panel, we can listen directly to what matters most across our key priority areas and give communities a genuine voice in shaping the programmes and services we commission.

"We have worked in partnership with communities for many years, but decisions have often been based on what we believed people wanted. This initiative changes that. For the first time, communities will have the opportunity to directly influence and choose the programmes that best meet their needs.

"The Membership Panel is the next step in ensuring the right voices are around the table, helping us strengthen and elevate our programme through meaningful community-led decision-making"

Jake Mensah, Youth & Children Services Manager at Trinity Community Arts continues:

"For more than a decade, our children and young people’s programmes have provided a constant, trusted presence within the communities we serve. This new funding will help us build on that foundation, ensuring established programmes such as Next Gen Sounds, Speak Out, Girls Group and Hype Dance can continue to provide safe, inclusive and empowering creative spaces where young people can shape activity, develop their creativity and confidence, and build a sense of belonging. It will also allow us to strengthen existing programmes and partnerships, building on the trust, relationships and local knowledge developed over many years.

Working alongside partners including Bristol Horn Youth Concern, Bristol Youth Connect, Love Stapleton Road and local schools such as Easton CE Academy, St Nicholas of Tolentine Primary School, Hannah More Primary School, City Academy Bristol and Oasis Academy Temple Quarter, we will continue to create opportunities for children and young people to have their voices heard, develop their potential and play an active role in shaping the future of their communities through the creative arts."

Let's keep spooky season going for as long as possible, all while supporting 50 local and visiting independent, alternative artists and makers.

Two floors of creatives, a bar, a killer playlist, and tasty tricks and treats to keep you screaming all day.

Find half the artists downstairs in the Main Hall, along with some sweet treats and a bar. Take the stairs or lift up to Fyfe Hall where you can find the other half. At the end of this hall is the Graffiti Room where you can take part in workshops all day from Art Rats!

This is a queer, neurodivergent and artist run event.

Let's keep spooky season going for as long as possible, all while supporting 50 local and visiting independent, alternative artists and makers.

Two floors of creatives, a bar, a killer playlist, and tasty tricks and treats to keep you screaming all day.

Find half the artists downstairs in the Main Hall, along with some sweet treats and a bar. Take the stairs or lift up to Fyfe Hall where you can find the other half. At the end of this hall is the Graffiti Room where you can take part in workshops all day from Art Rats!

This is a queer, neurodivergent and artist run event.

How Prance vibe:

• Dance however you like.
• Be brave, be silly
• Co-create a judgment-free space
• Let loose without drugs or booze
• Respect other people’s no-no’s
• Look out for one another's safety -prance with care
• Prance at your own risk

Come, twirl, have cake and chat at the end.

Please bring earplugs if you are sensitive to loud music.

Dress code: wear whatever you like but fancy dress is encouraged.

Prance is not-for-profit and volunteer-run, and ask for a donation of £5, £7 or £10 (self-determined, based on your means) to help keep the community running.

Ecstatic Prance will run on the following dates in 2026 from 7:30pm - 9:30pm:

• Thu 26th Nov 2026
• Tue 8th Dec 2026
• Tue 12th Jan 2027
• Thu 28th Jan 2027

Working collaboratively with our communities, staff, artists, partners and visitors, the successful creative partner will explore how the building can better communicate Trinity's identity, values, heritage and the diverse communities that shape it. The commission will use co-design to develop a creative vision and practical approach that makes Trinity easier to navigate, more welcoming and more reflective of the people who use it.

As a Grade II* listed arts and community venue with over 50 years of history, Trinity is a place shaped by generations of creativity, activism and community action. We are looking for a partner who can listen deeply, gather stories and experiences, and translate these into a coherent visual language for the site.

The commission has a budget of £15,900 inclusive of creative fees, consultation, design development and delivery costs. Outcomes may include creative wayfinding, accessibility improvements, interpretation panels, integrated artwork, storytelling interventions and visual expressions of Trinity's values throughout the building.

We welcome applications from individuals, collectives, designers, artists, architects, makers and organisations with experience of community-led design, participatory practice and the development of creative work within cultural, heritage, public or community settings

Budget: £15,900
Location: Trinity Centre, Bristol
Timeline: November 2026 to June 2027
Application Deadline: Wednesday 25 November, 5pm

For full details and application information, download the commission brief.

Easy read version can be downloaded here

Toots and the Maytals are one of reggae’s most influential groups, known for their role in the development of ska, rocksteady and reggae. Their music has inspired generations, with classics including 54-46 Was My Number, Pressure Drop, Monkey Man, Funky Kingston and Reggae Got Soul.

Led by the late Frederick “Toots” Hibbert, the group helped bring reggae to a wider audience. Their 1968 single Do the Reggay is widely recognised for bringing the word “reggae” into popular music.

Today, the band are fronted by Toots’ daughter, Leba, who has released music of her own and worked with reggae greats including Sly & Robbie and Jimmy Cliff. Join them at Trinity for a celebration of the songs and sound that helped shape reggae music.

Plus special guests.

For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

As a key figure in James Brown’s band, Wesley helped shape the sound of funk, with tight rhythms, punchy horn arrangements and grooves that went on to influence disco, hip-hop and modern dance music. His work with The J.B.’s includes classics such as Doing It to Death, Pass the Peas and Damn Right I Am Somebody, while his later work with George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic further cemented his place in funk history.

The show celebrates the 50th anniversary of A Blow for Me, a Toot to You, the landmark album released under Fred Wesley & The Horny Horns featuring Maceo Parker, produced alongside George Clinton and Bootsy Collins.

Presented by AGMP Concerts.

For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

Developed with creative practitioners Maca Gomez-Gutierrez and Masha Manapov, and in partnership with Trinity Community Arts, the workshop uses play and creativity to bring children’s voices into conversations about surveillance and technology.

This event is suitable for families and children aged 5+.

Take part in group singing with Jannah Warlow from Grief Choir, hear Mexican-British artist Pablo Villierezz (Panther Panther!) share Day of the Dead traditions, and help create an ofrenda (altar) with photographs and meaningful offerings.

Please bring a photo and small item to honour someone important to you. Hot chocolate and traditional pan de muerto will be provided.

Everyone is welcome, whether you're coming to remember, reflect, connect or learn more about this beautiful tradition.

This summer, Trinity and Coexist Community Kitchen came together once again to run our Gardening & Cooking programme in the Community Garden. Combining Coexist's culinary expertise with Trinity's gardening knowledge, participants spent six weeks cooking with seasonal produce, learning practical growing skills and taking part in nature-based arts activities. The programme was originally developed in response to increasing isolation experienced during the pandemic and continues to provide opportunities for people to connect, learn and spend time outdoors.

One of this year's participants was Karen, who attended the sessions alongside her husband, Matt.
Karen first became involved through Coexist Community Kitchen after being introduced through Diverse and attending other community meals and activities. Although she had heard of Trinity before, she had never visited the space and was surprised to discover the garden tucked away in the city.

"The garden is lovely," she says. "You can be outdoors, learn how to use the fire, cooking outside. I've never cooked outdoors before on the fire." Over six weeks, Karen enjoyed developing new skills, from growing and harvesting vegetables to outdoor cooking and creative activities. She particularly valued learning from the team and spending time in nature."Meeting you guys, doing the art has been amazing. I've really enjoyed that. Just being in nature. Being in the city but in nature."

For Karen, the programme offered more than practical learning. As a carer for Matt, finding spaces where they both feel comfortable can be difficult. She says being able to attend together, and knowing Matt felt safe in the environment, made a huge difference.

"He has come every single week. That's a testament to how safe he feels here."

The sessions also helped Karen build confidence socially."I think there's been a connection to nature, being outdoors, meeting new people. I am quite socially awkward, so to actually chat and to feel safe, because I mask a lot, it's been nice to meet new people."

Alongside new friendships and experiences, Karen has taken away practical knowledge she hopes to use at home, from understanding growing cycles to feeling inspired to make more use of her own garden. 
She would encourage others to get involved."You learn new skills, new things to cook, how to grow things and how to harvest things."

Karen and Matt are now looking forward to getting more involved with Trinity activities, including attending Trinity's AGM, while continuing their connection with Coexist Community Kitchen.
This year's programme concluded with a Harvest Feast, where participants came together with the Coexist and Trinity teams to share food, celebrate the season's harvest and mark the end of the course. The gathering offered a chance to reflect on new skills, friendships and experiences developed over the course, while enjoying a meal prepared as a group.

To find out more about Trinity's Gardening & Cooking programme and other community activities, chick here.

In a recent editorial, The Guardian argued that adult education is about more than qualifications. Reflecting on a new report from MPs, it highlighted how "acquiring new skills can be a first step on a longer journey – a way to begin to imagine different futures".

At Trinity, we're seeing that play out through our adult learning programme.

Working in partnership with SGS College and Bristol School of Art, we've recently welcomed the third cohort of learners onto our Employability Through Arts & Crafts: Skills for Life and Work course. The 15-week accredited programme was developed specifically for Trinity and uses creative activities to support learners to develop communication, teamwork and employability skills.

The programme builds on several years of work with local partners to create accessible adult learning opportunities in our community. Many participants are referred through organisations including Bristol Drugs Project, Horizons, inHope, Aidbox Community, The Junction Project and local health centres, helping people access learning in a familiar and supportive environment.

The course has already supported learners to progress on to further study through SGS College and Bristol School of Art. Others have gone on to volunteer with arts-based projects at Trinity and partner organisations including St Paul's Carnival.

This year's intake has also seen an increase in the number of participants. While the first two cohorts each welcomed around three learners, the current cohort began with 10 people enrolled and attending weekly sessions. The most recent learners have become some of the programme's strongest advocates. Several returned to support taster sessions, sharing their workbooks and experiences with prospective participants and encouraging others to sign up.

The Guardian editorial also notes that "learning can contribute to health and wellbeing" and highlights the importance of relationships in adult education. That resonates strongly with what participants tell us about the course, where shared learning and creativity have helped build connections between people from different backgrounds.

"This course provided a real sense of a community working together which has been so good for me."

At a time when adult education is receiving national attention, this programme demonstrates the value of local, community-based learning. Alongside qualifications and progression routes, it creates space for people to learn together, build meaningful relationships and take part in arts activity that supports their wider health and wellbeing.

Find out more about our community programme and explore upcoming events here.

Formed around a shared love of pushing musical boundaries, Tropical Fuck Storm create a sound that’s noisy, restless and constantly shifting.

Support from Lost Animal.

For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

Friday focuses on deep, heavyweight dubstep, followed by a Saturday session dedicated to roots and dubwise sounds.

Full line-up coming soon.

Friday: 10pm - 5am

Saturday: 10pm - 5am

For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

The night brings together hip hop, trip hop, lo-fi, grime and bass-heavy sounds, with live performances from Bristol collective Split Prophets, underground MC JMAN, Bristol-based music collective Audioflux and the seven-piece Properjob Collective.

Since emerging in 2011, Split Prophets have built a reputation across the UK underground hip hop scene, sharing stages with artists including Wu-Tang Clan, KRS-One and MF DOOM. JMAN brings his own blend of hip hop and grime, while Audioflux draw on dark, industrial production, heavy rap influences and deep bass. Properjob Collective round out the line-up with a mix of hip hop, jazz, neo-soul and lo-fi, pairing melodic vocals with progressive rap.

Bristol Sober Spaces creates opportunities to enjoy nightlife without alcohol being part of the experience. You don’t need to be sober all the time to come along; just join us for the night, enjoy the music and be part of a more inclusive dancefloor.

For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.