The final figure is now in… on Sat 5 October we raised an incredible £1,675.48 for the Help Bristol’s Homeless Charity at our Big Spring Street Gig!  Thank you to everyone who bought tickets and gave donations, we very much appreciate it ❤️

On what was a very emotional evening in St John’s Church, Keynsham, we performed 2 sets including songs by George Ezra, The Drifters, Miley Cyrus and Blondie, among others, accompanied by our fabulous CJ Band.  The event was a resounding success attracting over 250 people and with everyone involved clearly having a great time! The audience soon realised they were going to be in for a treat and rewarded the choir with a standing ovation at the end of the night. 

During the evening, representatives from HBH, Zoradi Tucker and Rob Earnshaw, both took the opportunity to talk more about the charity’s unique work. Rob spoke movingly from personal experience, after finding himself homeless as a result of alcohol addiction and mental health problems. Originally a resident at HBH’s container site on Malago Road, he described how as an ex-professional chef he is now managing the new site on Spring Street and doing the cooking.

Rob goes on to say, ‘I now feel so happy and contented. This is entirely due to the efforts of Jasper Thompson. None of this would be possible for us if it wasn’t for the drive and commitment of HBH. Jasper has a sound understanding of homelessness and the issues we face because he asks the relevant questions and listens to our answers’.

Zoradi, HBH Trustee explains, ‘It’s been a busy summer, in July we started the move from our original site on Malago Road to our new site on Spring Street. We now have 15 micro-flats converted from shipping containers, the overnight bus for temporary accommodation, a shower block, kitchen/dining areas, a laundry room and an office to enable admin for the running of the charity. This has required a lot of assistance in getting the site connected and we could not have done it without all the hard work from our amazing volunteers and the Bristol community who have so kindly given up their time and used their skills to help us’.

The Spring Street container village is now nearing completion and will soon be up and running. HBH will continue the mission to change the face of homelessness in Bristol. If you think you could help, get involved or would like to make a donation, please contact Zoradi Tucker on contact@helpbristolshomeless.org or go to www.helpbristolshomeless.org

ChoirJam raised the roof and funds for the MHA’s Music Therapy Appeal at a concert on 11th March at St John’s Church in Keynsham.

The 80-strong ensemble, accompanied by their live band, performed a selection of pop tunes from across the decades.  They were joined by The Magnificent AK47 men’s choir from Wiltshire, known for their humorous approach with songs such as “Man Flu”.  The concert culminated in a joint finale with a rendition of Elbow’s ‘One Day Like This’, and it’s fair to say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

The concert  raised funds for the MHA’s Music Therapy Appeal that aims to raise £22,000 to provide pioneering music therapy to all residents who are living with dementia at its Horfield Lodge care home in Bristol.

Using Music Therapy, specially trained music therapists can regulate residents’ emotions to alleviate symptoms and identify their possible causes. Music Therapy is becoming increasingly important as it can modify a patient’s behaviour by significantly alleviating agitation and even reduce a patient’s reliance on drugs.

Zoe Steer, Community Fundraising Manager for the West said; “We’re delighted ChoirJam chose to support the Music Therapy Appeal at their concert.  Music Therapy has such a positive impact on the lives of our residents who are living with dementia and who have been able to benefit already from the service at Horfield Lodge. But we want more people to have access to this amazing service which is why raising this money is so important.”

Well done Jammers for once again supporting(!) Oxfam’s Big Bra Hunt this year.  Yes, you dug out all your old bras that no longer fit, the ones you no longer wear and the ones that have got a bit…um..well.. baggy!  Not to mention some obviously questionable buying decisions, but don’t worry, all donations were anonymous!!

Over 150 of your bras are now winging their way over to Senegal to be sold in Frip Ethique, Oxfam’s social enterprise.  Most of the workers there are women who sort and sell clothes donated to Oxfam enabling them to earn a living with good job security, sickness benefits and a pension.  Over 500 local market traders buy stock from Frip Ethique and run their own businesses.  The profits are also invested in Oxfam’s work fighting poverty in Senegal.

Thank you all.