Co-operative Assistance Network Limited

Helping to safeguard ‘this vital community space’

 
“CAN went above and beyond…” Emma Moore, Director, Zion Community Space

CAN was pleased to be called in to support the development of a community share offer for Zion Community Art Space, which for over 11 years has provided a vital community hub in parts of Bristol. The community share offer is now live and the capital raised will purchase the building that it currently leases and safeguard all that goes on there for future generations.

“Changing lives through social connections is at the heart of what we do,” says Zion, which over the years has provided a place to chat over a cup of tea or lunch, somewhere to meet friends, learn something new, find a support group or to enjoy comedy, music, theatre and more.

The community benefit society says that to safeguard this “vital community space for the future” and to create a “bigger and better community hub for all in Bedminster Down, Bishopsworth and beyond” it decided to launch its offer.

Since 2011, life has been restored to what was then a derelict Methodist chapel, after Jess Wright purchased it with a loan from Triodos Bank.

After renovation with the support of volunteers, a small-scale café offering extras like film nights and sessions for kids was opened.

Zion Community Art Space went from strength to strength, and now attracts 15,000 people a year, and opens at least five days a week.

Jess is now stepping down and, through the share offer, is offering the community the opportunity to purchase the building and “save the space for future community use, opening up more opportunities, more input from the community and access to funding”.

‘CAN have been amazing during the whole process’

Bristol-based CAN Associate and Development Worker Hilary Sudbury, who’s a licensed Community Shares Practitioner, supported Zion with the development of offer documents and CAN member Brian Titley guided the development of financial projections. Zion was awarded funding from a Community Shares Booster Programme support via Co-operatives UK to pay for development time.

Commenting on CAN’s input, Zion’s Director Emma Moore said: “CAN have been amazing during the whole of this process.

“Hilary was there to answer all of my 'stupid questions' with patience, knowledge and humour for which I am so grateful. CAN also went above and beyond, working through a Bank Holiday weekend to make a print deadline, which was incredible.”

To find out more about the share offer, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/zionbristol

To find out more about how CAN can work with you on raising finance and community share offers, please contact Hilary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Read more on the CAN website
Develop and launch your own share offer
Are Community Shares right for you?
What are Community Shares?