Open Day - Together We Can Buy This Building

Together We Can Buy This Building: Community Open Day Rally, securing The Bethesda Building for Bristol

**Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM** 

**The Bethesda Building (Sparks Space), 138A Church Rd, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9HH**

In a city grappling with rising inequality, a cost-of-living crisis, and a rapid loss of community assets to private ownership, a coalition led by Coexist and The Bristol Commons is helping local residents to take ownership of their future. 

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Programme 

Please see the event photos - or visit our website for the full programme

https://thebristolcommons.org/buy-the-building/

Workshops:

The People’s Pilates

The People's Pilates workshop is accessible to all ages & agilities, no experience necessary. We will introduce the six fundamental principles: Breathing, Centering, Concentration, Control, Flow and Precision. Join us for a taste of this somatic movement  method, which offers immense benefits for physical & mental health

Health in Our Hands: Herbs, Healing & the Commons

Exploring how plants, people, knowledge and community can help us create health together. The session will include the sensory experience (smell, taste, touch) of some common herbs.

We will be discussing questions like:

What changes when we understand health as something we create together, rather than something individuals consume?

How can we increase people’s capacity to care for themselves and one another?

Everyone can create a small blend of herbs to take home, something through which he/she/they create a small moment of care.

The Resilience Rucksack 

The Resilience Rucksack is a workshop designed to give participants the essential tools to activate resilience. In this workshop, we’ll explore the relationship between climate emotions and mental health, and learn how to stay grounded, energised, and connected for the long haul.

Making Bird Puppets with Lamplighter Arts

Lamplighter Arts CIC are a group of artists who work with people to explore the joy of making together to create unique community arts and events. Join them to create on a smaller scale than usual - mini bird puppets - suitable for ages 4 -124! All welcome

Wild Voices Harmony Singing 

Come and find your voice in this playful, welcoming singing workshop. We’ll start by gently checking in with the body, and playing with some fun vocal warm ups, before learning a song or two to sing in harmony together.

No previous singing experience is needed — just come as you are, and enjoy the energy, connection and joy of singing with others.

Everything is taught by ear, and everyone is welcome!

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What’s Happening?

On Saturday, September 12th,  we invite you to a vibrant Open Day rally celebrating a pivotal moment in the fight to preserve The Bethesda Sunday School building as a permanent, community-owned asset. From 10:30am to 4:30pm enjoy:
- All-day live music from local artists - Hot food, cakes, and refreshments - Creative workshops - Face painting - A dedicated, safe play area for children - Friendly chats about how a Community Share Offer works and how you can get involved!

Why Attend?

Whether you can invest financially, volunteer your skills, or simply join the celebration, your presence signals strength and is vital to bringing the Bethesda Building into community ownership for generations to come!

* Investing: Make pledges toward the purchase.\ * Raising Awareness: Learn about the share offer campaign and spread the word!\ * Connecting: Connect with your local community new and old\ * Celebrating: Remember the joy of coming together both in solidarity and for celebrating community power!

Who is this for? 

Everyone! Residents of Redfield, Bristol locals, creatives, families, and anyone who believes in building stronger, more connected communities.

Cost: Free / Donation Welcome

Accessibility:
The main space is accessible by ramp and has wide entry doors suitable for wheelchairs and prams and has an accessible toilet.
Unfortunately the upstairs room where we will be holding workshops is currently only accessible by stairs.

The Bethesda building stands as a beacon of what we could collectively save, if we act together! 

Let’s do this…See you there! ✊