A derelict pub has been reborn as a vibrant youth hub, proving that community spirit can truly transform forgotten spaces! Remember the old Swan pub in Barton Hill, Bristol? It sat empty and silent after closing its doors during the pandemic. But the local community, seeing a chance for something special, asked Wellspring Settlement to take it over, with a dream of bringing back vital youth services.
Wellspring Settlement, itself a relatively new entity formed in 2020 from the merger of two long-standing Barton Hill charities (Wellspring Healthy Living Centre and Barton Hill Settlement), is a beacon of community-led action. They're deeply focused on tackling the cost-of-living crisis and addressing the diverse needs of the people who call Barton Hill home. Their work spans crucial family, youth, and health services, all delivered with a personal touch.
Their home is a collection of buildings nestled between Bright Street and Ducie Road, just east of Bristol's city centre. Now, with the addition of the former Swan pub, now affectionately known as The Swannery, their estate is complete.
But here's where the magic truly happened: Barefoot Architects, a Bristol-based practice renowned for their innovative community housing projects like Hazelmead, joined forces with Wellspring and, most importantly, a group of young people. Together, they envisioned and created a space bursting with potential – a place where everything from sewing and table football to video games, YouTube content creation, and even good old-fashioned water fights could thrive!
And to ensure the hub's long-term success, the first floor has been thoughtfully designed with offices. These will generate rental income, helping the club to become self-sustaining – a brilliant model for community projects!
The transformation of The Swan into The Swannery is nothing short of remarkable. For a total investment of £675,000, the building has been retrofitted with highly insulated fabric, creating open-plan spaces that are both functional and beautiful. The finishes are robust and made from natural materials, ensuring durability and a welcoming atmosphere.
And this is the part most people miss: The exterior of The Swannery is now a stunning canvas, adorned with a bespoke mural created by local Bristol artist collectives, Graft Community CIC and Botanical Vandals. This artwork is a rich tapestry of Barton Hill and Redfield's history, featuring rats from local legend, strawberries celebrating the area's agricultural past, and doves symbolizing peace and harmony. The design itself was inspired by Lanthe by Liberty, an Art Nouveau pattern popular when the Barton Hill Settlement first opened its doors.
Throughout the entire project, young people from local schools were not just observers but active participants. Guided by a team of dedicated youth workers who now lead the youth club, they were instrumental in the design and procurement. These 'Youth Influencer' sessions were a masterclass in empowering young people. They weren't just asked for opinions; they were given the chance to work alongside architects and builders, interview contractors, select finishes, shape the layout, and even choose the activities and equipment. This ensured the building was not only fit for purpose but also built valuable skills and confidence in the young participants.
Step inside, and you'll find an open-plan activity area, a cozy chill-out space complete with sofas and a big TV, and a spacious kitchen perfect for teaching essential cooking skills. Every detail, from the vibrant orange flooring and deep green walls to the wood wool acoustic ceiling panels, has been chosen for its hardwearing, practical, and non-institutional qualities.
The Swannery officially opened its doors in October 2024, and it's already a hive of activity, welcoming around 100 young people aged eight to 17 every week. It's a collaborative effort, operated by Wellspring Settlement in partnership with Learning Partnership West and the Bristol Somali Resource Centre, with a clear mission: to ensure the diverse population of Barton Hill is truly represented.
Consider this: Approximately 38% of Barton Hill's residents were born outside the UK, and the rate of unemployment benefit claims is more than double the Bristol average. This area has a long history as a welcoming place for refugees, dating back to the 1930s.
The Bristol Somali Resource Centre, previously housed in a small cottage on the site, has now moved into bespoke offices on the first floor of The Swannery. This expansion allows them to meet the growing local demand for free guidance and support. Their new, larger space includes interview rooms, offices, and meeting rooms, perfect for small group teaching. Last year alone, they helped around 300 people find paid employment, significantly improving lives and the local economy.
From the Architects' Perspective:
Sam Goss, founding director at Barefoot Architects, shared the profound impact of the project: "The Swannery needed to be a flexible space that would welcome a diverse group of young people and let them make it their own. When we first visited the site, it was in an appalling state; a smelly, rat-infested, mouldy space, with a history of drug abuse and fighting. It was our job to completely reimagine and transform it into something for the whole community, and particularly young people, to be proud of."
Maria Krupa, the project lead at Barefoot Architects, highlighted the invaluable contribution of the young people: "The young people we worked with were inspiring – once they had warmed up to the idea that they would really be listened to, they had great questions, made thoughtful decisions and offered useful critique. They wanted to know how everything worked – about the apprenticeships the contractor offered, if they had to go for the cheapest tender, or whether suppliers were local, for example."
From the Client's Perspective:
Paul Simpson, deputy CEO of Wellspring Settlement, expressed his immense enthusiasm: "The Swannery is the most exciting thing that’s happened at Wellspring Settlement for a lot of years – getting back into youth services. I was around the first time we were doing youth service. There’s lots of young people we see around locally who’ve got their own children now. They’re not perfect; but they’re not in jail and they’re citizens and they give something back. And that was through intervention from us. The fact that we’re back and being able to deliver that at an age where we can have influence means we can make a change."
From the Tenant's Perspective:
Abdullahi Farah, director of the Bristol Somali Resource Centre, detailed the positive impact of the new space: "On an average day we see around 40-50 people and we needed more space to see people confidentially. Since we moved into our new offices we now offer ESOL classes and digital or IT support. Our bigger space has allowed us to increase our staff members and provide more support to immigrant and refugee communities in the area. Last year we were able to help around 300 people into paid employment, improving the local economy as well as people’s incomes and lives."
Project at a Glance:
- Location: Bristol
- Start on site: January 2024
- Completion: October 2024
- Gross internal floor area: 274m²
- Gross (internal + external) floor area: 350m²
- Construction cost: £675,000
- Construction cost per m²: £2,500
- Capital funder: Power to Change, City Funds
- Development funder: Youth Investment Fund, The National Lottery
But is it truly possible for community-led initiatives to consistently overcome funding challenges and bureaucratic hurdles to create lasting change? What are your thoughts on involving young people so directly in architectural design? Share your agreement or disagreement in the comments below!
