Better Business / Barcan+Kirby
Barcan+Kirby’s Community Fund winners for 2025 announced
The award-winning law firm, Barcan+Kirby’s Community Fund winners have been selected. The fund, now in its fifth year, provides local not-for-profit organisations and/or charities with funding to help improve the community.
The firm gave away over £5,000 of funding to organisations based in the postcodes around their five offices: BS1, BS3, BS7, BS15 and BS35.
This year’s selected winners are:
The Harbour (BS1)
The Harbour provides counselling for people facing death, dying and bereavement, offering a safe space to talk and be listened to – photo: The Harbour
The Harbour provides counselling for people facing death, dying and bereavement, offering a safe space to talk and be listened to. Louise Jenks, fundraising and communications officer at The Harbour, said:
“We are so grateful to Barcan+Kirby for their generous Community Fund award! This donation will enable our small counselling charity to provide people in the Bristol area with crucial emotional support, helping them to live well with grief.”
Ashton Vale Community Club (BS3)
Ashton Vale Club, supported by Young Bristol, helps local young people through out-of-school sports, creative and developmental activities in a safe and inclusive environment where lifelong friendships are made. India Crawford, fundraising coordinator at Young Bristol, commented:
“Ashton Vale Club for Young People is absolutely thrilled to be selected for community funding by Barcan+Kirby. Our youth club has been embedded in the community for almost 30 years, and this funding will allow us to continue to provide vital youth support to the young people who need us most.”
SENDaWelcome (BS7)
View this post on Instagram
SENDaWelcome runs projects steered by people with lived experience of learning disabilities. The charity builds awareness and understanding of those living with SEND, with a vision to create a community that celebrates and values neurodiversity. Laura Hindmarsh at SENDaWelcome explained how the funding will be used:
“Community funding from Barcan+Kirby will make a huge difference to our organisation and the people we offer services to. This money will be used to build a sensory space for people with learning disabilities over the summer holidays — a much-needed addition to our neighbourhood.”
Horfield Welly Pre-School (BS7)
As a registered charity, Horfield Welly reinvests session fees and fundraising income into enriching children’s learning and development – photo: Horfield Welly
Horfield Welly pre-school offers a nurturing environment for children aged 2–4 years, where each individual child is supported to reach their potential through meaningful play. As a registered charity, the pre-school reinvests session fees and fundraising income into enriching children’s learning and development. Courtney Haley from Horfield Welly commented:
“We are so pleased to be awarded this funding. This means our children will be able to have extra enrichment activities to celebrate the end of term.”
Ignite Life (BS15)
View this post on Instagram
Ignite Life UK supports young people and families by providing counselling, mentoring and food support, relieving the needs of disadvantaged and/or marginalised young people. Emilia Thomas, fundraising manager at Ignite Life, said:
“Funding from the Barcan+Kirby Community Fund will allow us to provide transformative one-to-one counselling to more isolated young people who are at risk of slipping through the net.
“Our counselling empowers marginalised young people and improves emotional wellbeing, resilience and educational attainment. Youth mental health support is a priority, and we are excited to work with Barcan+Kirby to deliver our mission!”
JIGSAW (BS35)
View this post on Instagram
JIGSAW Thornbury provides friendship, support, compassion and fun to children and young people with additional needs or disabilities, and their families — driven by the passion of staff and volunteers. Hattie Clayton, chief executive officer of JIGSAW, said:
“We are delighted to be awarded funding from the Barcan+Kirby Community Fund. With a 78 per cent increase in the number of people accessing our services over the last two years, this has come at such a vital time.
“We are only able to continue to provide vital support, compassion and empowerment for children and young people with additional needs — and their families — with support from our community. Thank you, Barcan+Kirby, for being a part of this.”
Main photo: Barcan+Kirby
Barcan+Kirby are member of the Bristol24/7 Better Business network, an initiative to help businesses thrive while creating a positive impact on Bristol and the people who live here. As part of their membership, businesses can publish member news stories like this. For more information, visit my.bristol247.com/better-business
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
