Over 20 years ago the Council of Churches in Knowle West had a dream of running a coffee bar in Filwood Broadway as a way of getting to know the community. The focus was to be listening, ministry and serving the community.
In 1994 Network Christian Counselling, in North Bristol, was left a legacy to open a counselling centre in South Bristol. Having looked at different locations it was decided that the vision of the Knowle West Churches was the right project to make use of this legacy.
The doors to Filwood Hope opened on 2nd December 1996 offering not only counselling but a wide range of relevant advice services. We are an established advice centre that is respected in the area. We aim to provide accessible services to a community that is sceptical of outside support. Our aim is that services are client-focussed and tailored to the needs of each individual client.
We remain committed to our vision and mission statements and to searching out new ways to serve the community of Knowle West and South Bristol.
Through working in partnership with local agencies we are able to provide accessible advice and support to the local community. Filwood Hope saw 4000 people come through the door between April 2019 and March 2020.
This recorded interview below was shown at Filwood Hope’s 20th anniversary celebration.
