Listening, learning, and exploring what’s possible together
Totterdown Baptist Church is beginning a new conversation about how our church building can better serve our local community.
We’re exploring how the building could become a more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive community space — a place where local people can connect, take part in activities, access support, or simply enjoy being together.
Before any plans are made, we’re listening.
We want to understand what’s already happening locally, what’s working well, and where there might be gaps or opportunities to serve.
Stage One: Listening to Our Community
Our first step is to gather ideas and feedback from people who live in, work in, or spend time around Totterdown.
As part of this listening process we are organising:
- Community listen events: to give everyone an opportunity to see our space and to share with us ideas and knowledge about what would benefit the local community.
- Online Survey: A short survey to gather local ideas and knowledge.
- Partner Meetings: with community leaders and those lead existing local groups and organisations who might become potential partners or collaborators (we recognise the importance of working together, not duplicating or competing).
Community Listening Events
Our series of in-person community listening events are scheduled at different times and on different days, to make it as easy as possible to take part. These sessions are informal and welcoming, offering space to share ideas, experiences, and hopes for the future whatever your age, experiences or background. They’re also an opportunity for people who haven’t been inside the building before to come in, look around, and see what space is available — and what might be possible.
Dates:
Friday 27th March, 10:00-11:30
Saturday 28th March, 10:00-11:30
Wednesday 1st April, 19:00-20:30
Location: Totterdown Baptist Church, Jarman Hall entrance, Sydenham Road, BS4 3DF
Online Survey
Alongside the in-person sessions, there is also an online survey for anyone who would prefer to share their views that way (or both ways).
This is not about presenting finished plans or decisions. It’s about starting with conversation, curiosity, and collaboration — and ensuring future steps are shaped by local voices.
The short survey we’ve created is to help us learn:
- What people value most about the local area
- What kinds of activities or support would make a difference
- How a shared community space could feel welcoming and useful for everyone
🗳️ Take the short survey by scanning the QR code or follow the link: https://forms.gle/jhXv6kjrxDUfwFy58
Please do share it with friends, neighbours, or anyone connected to Totterdown — every voice matters.
Partners and Collaborators
It is our intention to reach out to local charities, community groups, councillors, community leaders, and anyone who is already working locally for the benefit of the community. We are keen to learn about what is already taking place, where there are gaps or needs, and how the community might be changing. Our intention is to listen and to learn, to see where we might be able to fulfil a unique purpose and meeting both genuine needs as well as hopes and desires for the area.
We want to understand what’s already happening, explore possible partnerships, and work together to identify local needs and opportunities.
If you’re part of a local charity, organisation or group we would love to hear from you and can either meet at the church to show you around, come and meet you where you are to see your space and work, or arrange a call (because we all know that time is precious). We’ll do our best to reach out to you but please get in touch at rich.blakelobb@tbc.org.uk.
Hearing from Current Building Users
We’re also be speaking with our current building users — including both church groups and external hirers — to learn from their experiences and understand how the space works (and where it could work better).
What Happens Next
All of this feedback will help Totterdown Baptist Church reflect and decide how best to use its building and resources for the benefit of the wider community.
This is just the start — there will be more opportunities to share ideas and get involved as the project develops.
💛 Together, we can help Totterdown flourish as a place of connection, creativity, and care.
