Better Business / Member profile
‘A Better Bristol is a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive’
Chris Marshall is the programme manager at 1625 Independent People, a Bristol-based charity supporting young people aged 16 to 25 who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, or leaving care.
Its mission is to prevent homelessness, keep young people safe, support them to thrive and influence the environment around them.
Working across Bristol and the South West, 1625 Independent People delivers safe accommodation, pathways into education, training and employment and wellbeing support.
1625 Independent People’s mission is to prevent homelessness, keep young people safe, support them to thrive and influence the environment around them.
What’s the one thing that inspires you to get up in the morning?
There are two answers to that, really. Personally, it’s my partner and my dog—they’re a big part of my life and definitely help keep me grounded.
Professionally, it’s knowing that what I do will have a lasting impact on a young person’s life. At 1625, we often talk about progress happening one step at a time.
Sometimes it’s helping someone find a safe place to live, supporting them into education or employment, or simply giving them someone who believes in them. Those small moments can completely change the direction of someone’s future, and that’s incredibly motivating.
If you could pick one thing to change about Bristol, what would it be?
For me, it has to be affordable housing. Bristol is an amazing city with so much opportunity, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult for people, particularly young people, to find somewhere safe and affordable to live.
I’d love to see more genuinely affordable homes, more social housing and a rental market that doesn’t price people out of the communities they grew up in. Alongside that, better public transport and a proper mass transit system would make education, employment and opportunities much more accessible for everyone across the city.
“A Better Bristol is a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances”
What does a Better Bristol mean to you?
A Better Bristol is a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. It means having access to safe and affordable housing, good education, training, meaningful employment and the support people need when life becomes difficult.
Bristol is already known for its creativity, music, arts and culture, and those things make it a fantastic place to live. But for me, they’re the icing on the cake. The foundation has to be making sure everyone has the basics—a safe home, security and the opportunity to build the life they want.
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What action could you as an individual take? What action could your company take?
As an individual, I think it’s about choosing to make a difference where you can—whether that’s volunteering, fundraising, mentoring or simply supporting local organisations that are creating positive change.
Through my role at 1625, I’m fortunate to be able to encourage businesses to become part of that change. That could be creating employment opportunities, offering work experience, sharing skills, fundraising or supporting projects financially. Businesses have expertise, networks and resources that can make a huge difference when they’re used alongside charities and communities.
1625 Independent People supports young people aged 16 to 25 who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, or leaving care
What do you want to see from the Bristol business community in the next five years?
I’d love to see businesses becoming even more connected with the communities they operate in. There’s already some fantastic work happening across Bristol, but there’s always more we can do.
I’d like to see more employers creating opportunities for young people through apprenticeships, work experience, mentoring and employment.
Sometimes all it takes is one employer being willing to take a chance on someone who hasn’t had the easiest start in life. That opportunity can change a young person’s future, while businesses also benefit from bringing in talented, motivated people with fresh ideas.
All photos: 1625 Independent People
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