Filwood Hope: Making Life Work

Case Study: Filwood Hope supports people with advice and a sense of dignity

Filwood Hope is a drop in advice centre in Knowle West, South Bristol and for more than 25 years, it’s been serving and supporting the local community.

In its long history its adapted and evolved, helping people with everything from debt, benefit and housing advice to employment issues, mental health and more.

What that means is that each week, each visit what peoples need help with may change and vary.

“Over the years we’ve tried to be sensitive to the needs of the area” said Pearl Aitken – Centre Manager & Advice Worker.

“Life is full of challenges as we all know, and they can come at any time. What we are about here is just trying to draw alongside people, to make ourselves accessible to support them in whatever challenges they have.” 

“Knowle West is a great place to live and work, and the people in Knowle West are even greater. All that we want to do is help make life work in a way that releases people from stress and anxiety.”

The organisation is often the first port of call for people seeking advice, and as much as it is about getting advice or helping with practical things like writing letters and paying bills - it’s also about connecting with people and the community.

For local people who might struggle with mobility or not know where to turn, Filwood Hope is a local place   Where matter whatever the issue or difficulties, they can find help and a friendly welcome, where people can just come in and being able to just chat their concerns through with an advisor face-to-face.

“Being able to sit alongside someone and for them to be able to share their difficulties with you, you know, is really quite a privilege. We treat that with the greatest respect and just try to help them to move forward.”

‘It takes courage to come in and to ask for help.”

“We all hit a wall some time and we want to be here when that happens to anybody in north west and treat them with the dignity that they deserve.”

BCCF grants help deliver targeted positive impact to critical needs across Bristol. Your donations enable local projects like this one to serve and support local people.

For more information

• visit www.filwoodhope.org

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