Better Business / Member profile
‘A Better Bristol means a more thoughtful, generous and sharing city’
Anna Perry is the chair of trustees and an active volunteer at Share Bristol.
Share Bristol’s Library of Things encourages people to borrow, not buy, and to normalise reuse and sharing. The organisation helps people access things they could not otherwise afford, reduce consumption and consumerism and declutter homes.
What’s the one thing that inspires you to get up in the morning?
Firstly, the knowledge that my approximately 21-year-old cat is relying on me for her breakfast. Secondly, I genuinely believe that individual people can change the world, if we each work hard to make our local communities better.
Share Bristol’s Library of Things scheme with its four facilities has so far enabled nearly 20,000 loans of household items
Both in my day job as CEO of Great Western Air Ambulance Charity and in my volunteer role as chair of trustees at Share Bristol, I know I am making a difference but always know there is more we could achieve.
If you could pick one thing to change about Bristol what would it be?
I feel like the polarisation that we see in global and national politics is also present in Bristol. To make Bristol a better city for everyone, we need to feel like we are pulling together.
We won’t always agree what is needed or how it happens, but significant and meaningful change to improve the lives of local people and our environment is possible at neighbourhood and city level.
I would like to see more optimism and people putting their boots on and making change happen, together, rather than just criticising what others are doing.
What does a Better Bristol mean to you?
For me, a Better Bristol means a more thoughtful, generous, sharing city. It means that people think about the choices they make and the impact their actions have, and make conscious choices to do things better, for our city, its people and its environment. That means supporting local businesses, volunteering for a cause you care about or being involved in something you enjoy doing, and making best use of the resources we have by sharing them.
We have huge resources in Bristol – people, things, money, spaces and places – and it’s only by making sure these are deployed in a sensible, considered way that we can make the most of them for everyone.
What action could you as an individual take?
Recently I’ve been cycling a lot more and driving a lot less. I consider driving my only vice (others may disagree) and I’ve always known that this was something I should be doing less, but it’s hard to give up when you can always make an excuse why you need to have a vehicle.
I’m lucky that Share Bristol has reached the point now when it doesn’t have to be me transporting carpet cleaners, pressure washers and tents around the city, so I have less need for a car.
Share Bristol’s Library of Things encourages people to borrow, not buy, and to normalise reuse and sharing
What action could your company take?
Share Bristol’s new membership of Bristol24/7’s Better Business demonstrates our commitment to local, not-for-profit organisations. I would encourage businesses to look at the benefits and see if it’s for them. Local media organisations with resources to report on local issues are so important for society.
At Share Bristol, all our staff and volunteers receive a free membership of the charity, so they can borrow as much as they want, whenever they want, for free.
We would encourage local businesses to consider providing their teams with memberships to Share Bristol as an employee benefit – helping their staff save money, access the things they need and protect the environment, all whilst supporting a local charity which is helping to keep the high street alive.
We’re aiming to have a Share Bristol within walking distance of everyone in the city eventually, so the more people join the quicker we will get to that goal.
What do you want to see from the Bristol business community in the next five years?
That’s a really hard question, because I think individual businesses in Bristol are already working incredibly hard – to make ends meet in some cases, to be a good employer despite the rising costs of employing people and to contribute to the local community.
I see that all over the place – some of the ones I have personal links to are Black City Records who set up a Heavy Metal Therapy group, Cafe Kino who offer ‘pay it forward’ options, Bristol Drones who provide free filming at GWAAC fundraisers, or Bristol Beer Factory who have given Share Bristol free drinks for events.
Share Bristol’s Library of Things at UWE Bristol
If every business went that extra mile and kept on questioning what their community needed and how best they could help provide it, then I think that would make a significant difference, and local people who support those businesses in return.
All photos: Share Bristol
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