Community Groups and Community Reps
Wherever you live in Bristol you can guarantee there is a community group that meets to join forces and make decisions about your area.
Whether they are socially motivated or more formal, getting involved with community groups can be fun, rewarding, and most importantly improve communication between the residents of that area.
Below are two examples of the different community groups to watch out for:
Neighbourhood Forums
These meetings are powerful opportunities to have your say on local policing and the way resources are used to address concerns in your area.
At a Neighbourhood Forum meeting those present will get to decide the top priorities that need dealing with by the Police, Council or Partner agencies working in that area. This is hugely significant and if we had more students going to Forum meetings it would mean more students could have their say on the issues that matter. Also important is the fact that by having students there any ‘student problems’ can be talked about openly meaning residents are less likely to feel rage towards the Universities or Unions.
To find out when your next Forum meeting is taking place just type your postcode into the Avon and Somerset Police page
http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/LocalPages/
If you can't make it along to a meeting, you can still have your input! Fill in this form to direct the work of your local Neighbourhood Team.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIPS
In line with new governance structures ‘Neighbourhood Partnerships’ are the Council’s way of ensuring local residents get to influence Council service delivery. This means bins, cars, all things community. It’s an opportunity to voice your concerns about the way the Council works and allows you to meet your local councillors.
To find our more about your local Neighbourhood Partnership and for the next meeting visit
http://bristolpartnership.org/neighbourhood-partnerships
On the Voscur website you can subscribe to e-bulletins to keep up to date about your Neighbourhood Partnerships.To subscribe to the e-bulletin email info@voscur.org with 'NP Subscribe' in the subject line.
OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS
Other groups will spring up over the years so its important to keep a look out for the relevant flyers put through your door. Some parts of Bristol will have their own individual groups ranging from environmental campaigning groups to art appreciation.
To learn what’s out there:
Voscur events guide: http://www.voscur.org/event
Get connected to the city’s community groups: http://beehive.thisisbristol.com/
COMMUNITY REPS
In partnership, the ‘University of Bristol Students’ Union’ and ‘University of the West of England Students’ Union’ will be electing a set of community reps in the coming academic year. These students will represent students within the areas they live and will be responsible for liaising with community groups and residents and students and the respective Students’ Union. They will be contactable and once elected their details will be on this site.
Elections for these reps are coming soon and once elected the reps profiles will be shown here.