Zion so much more than a cafe, reopens its doors and remains an important community hub.

The several months of lock down have seen many heroic and community minded organisations within all of our communities up and down the country. But the inspiring story of Zion goes back much further than this.

Zion is a very beautiful building, a former Methodist chapel. The last church service ever was held there in August 2008 due to a decreasing congregation and became derelict through lack of use. It would be such as sad story in the life of this building once a vital part of the community where it is situated if the final chapter would have been one of dereliction and perhaps eventually demolition.

Thankfully the story doesn’t end there for this beautiful building! Jess Wright a graphic and theatre designer came across the building for sale as she was searching for a community space to hold community projects. Jess began this project on her own and struck out with great courage to make the project a success even taking out a loan to get the project off the ground. Then of course began all of the fighting through planning applications etc to get the building into a state where it could be used as a community space once again.

Zion as a community space opened its doors for the first time the first week of June 2011 and has gone from strength to strength since then proving an invaluable resource to the local community. There have been many bumps and starts along the way including a perilous period where it looked like some serious further building work would be required to make the building safe for use, but undaunted Jess continued fighting to make the project a success.

Zion has many people who contribute to the service it provides. This amazing team includes 5 regular members of staff, up to 25 people who do freelance work and 6 volunteers. The community cafe provides amazing food and a genuinely different and engaging atmosphere to meet with friends and have a natter or perhaps pop in for lunch on a break from work. But it doesn’t just provide this, it also provides a very important social support for vulnerable members of our community. Jess explained that there were community cafe users who perhaps struggled to eat well at home due to early stages of dementia and other issues, and coming to the cafe gave their carers and relatives peace of mind that they were getting good quality meals and social interaction in safe and friendly place. This routine was a vital part of them feeling safe and structured.

Its not just the cafe however that Zion used as a community event Every first Wednesday of the month from 10.30am-12pm. A relaxed informative and fun meet-up for carers, people living with dementia and those feeling lonely or isolated was also held and attendance was free with the cafe being open for those who wished to use it.

Zion also began to hold ‘Kidcraft’ a weekly craft session for children of all ages. Dandelion music also used the venue for its ‘Little Musical Voyages’.

Further groups began to use the space for other community events including Babes @ Zion a group supporting breastfeeding mums, a history group and also a creative writing group.

When asked about why she thought that Zion’s story hadn’t really been written about in the media before Jess said “maybe its because its not that cool” Zion might not be “cool” but it is inspiring and heroic. Zion’s story is a powerful testament to what can be achieved if and when people decide to truly get something done in their local area. Zion’s story is intertwined with the story of Jess Wright who has been its heroic instigator and champion. She has risked all in order to bring it to fruition and she is a powerful example of the strong and courageous women that we can find here in South Bristol who’s voices might get lost amidst the stories which are more negative in nature.

Of course as for all community spaces the amazing work Zion was doing had to be brought to an abrupt pause during lock down and Zion had to find new avenues to try and serve the community in which it finds itself. They did this by providing a meal home delivery service, by providing an online newsletter which detailed online entertainment which people could take part in. Zion also did their part by providing craft packs that young people could use at home.

Zion also continued to be a drop off point for the local foodbank and also engaged in the amazing work of collecting together items to make care packages for key workers. Which were delivered to publically nominated individuals and also to local care homes.

As with many other social enterprises and charities lock down and the crisis that precipitated it hit Zion hard. One of the main sources of income was the hire of the building for events which of course couldn’t be done and so Zion had to find ways to try and raise much needed funds. One creative way they did this was to hold an online cabaret evening via Facebook live and you tube. This event raised £1800 and was split between the performers (who of course are also struggling financially) and Zion.

With lock-down restrictions being gradually lifted the question naturally arose regarding when Zion would reopen its doors to the public. Jess explained that opening to the public early on ‘Would hit Zion financially as they will not earn over half their income generated through events and private hires’, however Jess pointed out that something more important was at stake. Whilst Zion has heroically adapted to life in lock down and continued to be a community spirited hub, it has been unable to provide that vital social hub for local people including the vulnerable. Due to this the decision was made to reopen Zion to the public on Tuesday the 4th August. The day finally came arround and the community cafe was open for business again the steady stream of people giving their support on the day of reopening was very encouraging and it was so very nice to see families come and enjoy the beautiful space and amazing food once again. The place felt alive and buzzing and full of optimism. Staff and volunteers seem genuinely happy to be open once again and it seems that the difficult decision was indeed very much the right one. The Community Cafe will continue to serve amazing meals and provide a space for the community and people from wider afield to come together whilst of course insuring that all procedures are put into place to protect against the spread of COVID 19.

The urgent message from Zion and other community spaces is please give them your custom and support. Try to support these small independent spaces instead of large chains of coffee shops for example. Zion does far more than provide food and a space to eat it, it provides a space to build community, a space where all can come and where people who perhaps feel very isolated and alone can spend time with others.

We have been told relentlessly that we have to get used to the “new normal”and this is of course so, but Zion is a beautiful example of how something can go through changes and still come out the other side doing something not only useful, but in a way beautiful, beautiful because it is a seed of hope. Community spirit and community cohesion are measured most effectively not in how the community deals with those who are viewed to be “strong” but in how it supports and builds links with those who are struggling or vulnerable. This being the test, the beating heart of this community in South Bristol beats clear and strong.

Details of Zion can be found at their website: www.zionbristol.co.uk