About us

We're an integral part of our community. Our community created us and it continues to drive us.

Founded in 2004, by residents of Barton Hill in Bristol, Wellspring Healthy Living Centre is a vibrant charity serving one of the most diverse communities in England.

Wellspring exists to address the health inequalities experienced by residents of inner-city and east Bristol, particularly those who live in the Lawrence Hill ward.

Based in our community-owned, purpose-built premises in Barton Hill, Wellspring is a locally run charity with the majority of board members being local residents.

"We develop and deliver our services based on the community asset model, where skills, knowledge, and potential are identified and valued in both individuals and the community. This approach underpins all of our activities."

Elaine Flint - Chief Executive

Our vision

"We work to some of the key messages and recommendations from the Marmot Review (2010), including delivering services that both improve and maintain wellbeing and health. We deliver this using a solid social prescribing approach in order to best serve and support our community."

Rhian Loughlin- Head of Services

Social Prescribing

Our vision is to provide accessible support and services so that our community is healthier, happier and more resilient.

We support local people to improve their health and wellbeing and to build the confidence to achieve their goals and transform not only their lives but those of their community

A diverse range of services for a diverse community

The Wellspring Healthy Living Centre building is owned by local residents. For over a decade Wellspring has been designing and delivering community health and wellbeing activities in Lawrence Hill, an area of Bristol that has experienced massive demographic change and consistently high levels of disadvantage.

Whether residents need physiotherapy, acupuncture, help with benefits forms, a place to express their creativity or somewhere to learn how to improve their family's diet, there is an opportunity at Wellspring for them.

As the local community has changed, Wellspring has adapted to deliver services in community languages and in a culturally appropriate manner – with its staff team and Board reflecting the community it serves.

We don't work in isolation, we've built relationships with the broad range of advice agencies in Bristol who deliver sessions at Wellspring, giving local people access to advice about housing, immigration, domestic violence or specialist counselling. We also deliver services in the four local Children’s Centres -taking services where the need is.

The Healthy Living Consortium

Wellspring has an eye on the health of Bristol and has worked with other community partners - Knowle West Health Park and Southmead Development Trust - to create the Healthy Living Consortium which has the range to deliver services across Bristol.

The Consortium is currently working with Bristol Mental Health to reach into faith and equalities groups as well as local community and sports groups to tackle the stigma around mental health.

Wellspring is a key partner for Public Health and is delivering Health Checks and Stop Smoking services as well as more bespoke services to tackle the social isolation experienced by local residents.

The Healthy Living Consortium

The Consortium is currently working with Bristol Mental Health to reach into faith and equalities groups as well as local community and sports groups to tackle the stigma around mental health.

Wellspring is a key partner for Public Health and is delivering Health Checks and Stop Smoking services as well as more bespoke services to tackle the social isolation experienced by local residents.

Research and reports

Clear, uncomplicated and yet comprehensive reports form the backbone of our work. Without the research beforehand, we would not be in a position to provide the best level of service, support and advice. Without in-depth impact reports borne out of our work, we cannot shift attitude; change perceptions; adapt to the changing needs of our community; and identify areas where we can be most effective in supporting local people in improving their health and wellbeing.

Browse our collection of research reports covering topics such as economic insecurity and health inequality; social isolation and the work and health of Polish and Somali migrants in Bristol; and the return of investment in social prescribing.