Lights... Camera... Charity!
ISG's Bottle Yard Studios project team recently put its volunteering days to good use as the team supported the Heart of BS13 action group in South Bristol.
Heart of BS13 was founded in 1990 by a group of BS13 residents who were keen to address specific health problems through increased connection with the local environment. The organisation focuses on improving the health of those in living in South Bristol. It specialises in giving help to those in need, including mental health support and nutritional advice.
Organised by ISG's social value advisor, Georgia Ward, and apprentice construction manager, Chris McCann, the project team descended on Hartcliffe Farm, Bristol, UK, as it was tasked to set up a new sustainable flower farm.
From the studio to the garden, just like a scene from the famed TV show Ground Force, the team got stuck in creating the brand-new flower farm. Our volunteers helped with the setting of compost on the new no-dig beds, planting flowers and herbs, creating wood chip pathways, bringing to life new wildlife habitats, re-establishing native meadow strips, painting signboards and conducting general maintenance of the area.
Neil MacDonald, operations director for our UK Construction business in the South, said: “Today has been a great experience for all involved. We’ve helped a really important cause, in Heart of BS13, which works tirelessly in the local area in aiding those in need, and we’re happy we can support.”
Neil continued: “We each get two volunteering days every year, and I know this is something we like to encourage everyone to take advantage of. It really can make a difference to a local community in need.”
Today has been a great experience for all involved. We’ve helped a really important cause, in Heart of BS13, which works tirelessly in the local area in aiding those in need, and we’re happy we can support.
Neil MacDonald, Operations Director, ISG
Sol Harmsworth, of the action group, said: “This is our very first season of sustainable Heart of BS13’s cut flower social enterprise and thanks to ISG, we are on track for our growing season, which in turn, will allow us to produce high-quality flowers to sell as part of our social enterprise. We can also start offering further community engagement and open days, plus we’ll produce quality crops of flowers that in turn brings income to sustain the social enterprise and increases biodiversity in nature.”
The donation and practical support means that Heart of BS13 is able to start seed sowing straight away, and this summer they will supply to shops and host floristry events, with the income generated allowing the social enterprise to invest in training and further employment opportunities. Part of Heart of BS13’s regular programme schedule is a focus on carbon reduction and sustainable agriculture. Schools and the community take part in carbon reduction open days, and learn about compost, sustainable growing, and plant and soil health.
Work is underway on the expansion of Bristol film and TV production facility The Bottle Yard Studios into a neighbouring South Bristol industrial site, which is undergoing a £12 million redevelopment backed by West of England Combined Authority investment that will add three new stages to the Studios’ portfolio.
Planned for completion this summer, the expansion will increase the number of stages on offer at The Bottle Yard Studios from eight to 11 and is intended to maintain and grow film and TV production in Bristol and the West of England. Titles recently filmed at the facility, the largest of its kind in the region, include BBC/Amazon psychological thriller Chloe (which premiered Sunday 6 February), series one and two of Stephen Merchant’s BBC/Amazon series The Outlaws and BBC One legal drama Showtrial.
You can read more about the project by clicking here
