The Groundwork South Trust manage The Vench. We took on the lease from Bristol City Council in 2015. As well as managing The Vench, Groundwork South run a number of other projects across Bristol and the West of England. We are a registered charity (293705) and a registered limited company by guarantee (1982077).
We work closely with other organisations to provide the best provision possible at The Vench – you can find out more about our partners on our Partners Page.
The Vench Team
iulia
Centre Manager – Operations
Iulia manages the day-to-day running of The Vench playground and community centre, from hirers contracts to playground development. She supports staff and volunteers, balancing health and safety requirements with adventurous play. She is community-driven, creative and enjoys time outside, on her allotment or at The Lockleaze Community Orchard. She loves seeing the playground buzzing with activity!
Lisa
Centre Manager – Youth & Play
Meg
Lead Youth & Play Worker
Meg supports children at our youth & play sessions. Meg has worked at the Vench for over two years now, from birthday parties to after-school play – gardening group to youth club. She likes to spend as much time outside as possible – encouraging people to get their hands in the soil – or in the kitchen, bringing people together with food.
Hannah
West of England Programme Manager
Programme Manager, Hannah Baker, has ten years’ experience working in the field of sustainability and environmental policy within the charity and university sectors. In this time she has successfully managed and delivered a range of programmes covering energy, water, waste, transport and green spaces.
Heather
Youth & Play Worker
Heather supports children at our youth & play sessions. Heather enjoys encouraging others to be their own best, celebrating their presence in the present moment, alongside the gift of each day (that’s why we call it the ‘present’). Spending time looking at, listening to and learning from her surrounding natural environment is a passion, so she’s often found in woodland, wandering through hills and valleys or hanging out up a tree!
Diana
Youth & Play Worker
Diana supports children on the Vench Playground at our Afterschool Supper & Play sessions. She is an alternative education enthusiast and seeks opportunities to engage with young people through play, the arts and nature-based activities. In her spare time, she practices Capoeira (an african-brazilian martial art), illustrates children books, and goes on long walks in the woods with her journal at hand.
alice
Youth & Play Worker
Alice supports children at our youth & play sessions. She is passionate in community engaged arts and theatre as tools for social and environment justice, and uses this passion to lead activities of this kind.
helen
Centre Support Assistant
Helen supports the day to day running of the Playground and Community Centre. You will find her in the office, on the drop slide or running around sorting things out and making cups of tea for everyone. Helen also inspires people to sing for fun and wellbeing running the Lockleaze Singing group based at the Vench. She is also a passionate open-water swimmer, loving the cold water even when its super chilly!
Dee
Youth & Play Assistant
Dee enjoys working with Children & Young People (YP) and i believe in their rights. I’m here to encourage and support YP physically, emotionally & socially through play, cooking and taking time to listen to their concerns and worries whenever its needed. As well as helping them to get further support with the help of our Safeguarding lead when necessary.