ABOUT US
We are BS15 is a community-led, non-profit, based in Kingswood and Hanham. Every week, more than 600 people engage with our projects, finding opportunities to connect with others, improve their wellbeing, access affordable food, learn new skills and become part of a welcoming community.
Our story began in March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic changed life for everyone. As neighbours looked for ways to support one another, an incredible community response emerged. More than 400 local volunteers came together to help people with shopping, collecting prescriptions, delivering food and carrying out other essential errands for those who were unable to leave their homes.
Alongside this, we established a community support hotline, taking more than 2,500 calls from local residents. While many people needed practical support during the pandemic, those conversations gave us something even more valuable. They helped us understand the wider challenges facing our communities and gave local people a voice. We heard about loneliness, food insecurity, poor mental wellbeing, financial hardship and the difficulties many people experienced accessing support. We also heard about people's hopes for their community, the things that mattered most to them and the changes they wanted to see.
At the same time, we discovered something equally important: our community was full of strengths. We met residents who wanted to volunteer, businesses eager to support local causes, community groups already making a difference and organisations working towards the same goals. We realised that the greatest impact would come not from creating services in isolation, but by listening to local people, building on the strengths already within our community and bringing people and organisations together to create lasting change.
In February 2021, We are BS15 was founded by Vicky Robinson and Rev. Beverley Charles to continue that work long after the pandemic had passed.
Today, We are BS15 has grown into a trusted organisation at the heart of the community. Our projects support people of all ages and backgrounds, creating welcoming spaces where people can eat together, improve their health and wellbeing, access affordable food, learn practical skills, volunteer, build confidence and develop lasting friendships.
Everything we do starts by listening. We work alongside local people to understand what matters to them, identify gaps in support and develop practical solutions that respond to the needs of our communities. Rather than doing things for people, we work with people, recognising that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. We work closely with local residents, volunteers, community groups, businesses, healthcare providers, schools, faith organisations, local authorities and voluntary sector partners to bring together knowledge, skills and resources. By connecting people and organisations, we help create opportunities that no single organisation could achieve alone.
In April 2025, this collaborative approach was recognised when Southern Brooks and South Gloucestershire Council awarded We are BS15 the Community Development Priority Neighbourhood contract for Kingswood. This enables us to work alongside residents and partners to strengthen community networks, support local ideas and build an even stronger, healthier and more connected community.
OUR TIMELINE
We believe strong communities are built through relationships. Some people first come to us looking for support. Others join as volunteers or partners. Many become both. As confidence grows, people often discover new skills, make new friendships, support others and become active members of their community. We see people not simply as recipients of support, but as individuals with experiences, talents and ideas that help make our community stronger.
What began as an emergency response during the Covid-19 pandemic has grown into a thriving community organisation, but our purpose remains the same: to bring people together, strengthen communities and create opportunities for everyone to thrive.
OUR VISION & MISSION
OUR VALUES
