🌈 The Heart of Hotwells 🌈 

Trinity is on a mission to rescue Jacobs Wells, Bristol, and transform it into a dynamic space for youth, arts, community, and learning. 

Together with the community, we've developed a plan to repair, renovate and revive this amazing building, to bring it back into community use by Autumn 2025.

We're working to raise £4m to deliver a phased programme of works and we're asking the people of Bristol to give what they can to support this exciting and ambitious project. 

So far, we've secured £1m from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC) Community Ownership Fund towards this first phase of repairs and £400,000 in match funding from local trusts including Nisbet Trust and the John James Foundation, but we still have a long way to go.  

This is our last chance to ensure this space has a vibrant future - we hope you will join us on this journey by donating today.  

💪 The Challenge 💪 

Jacobs Wells is a Grade II Listed building steeped in architectural and social heritage. Built in 1889 to serve the working poor, Jacobs Wells in the Clifton Conservation Area is a Grade II Listed building that holds within its walls a wealth of architectural and social heritage - from its time as a public swimming baths to its 30-year history as a dance hub. 

Since then, the building has fallen into critical disrepair and, with Bristol City Council facing financial pressures, Jacobs Wells had an uncertain future.  

“This building is special for me. Here I learned how to stand up straight, and I learned where my feet were. Or rather, I learned how to learn those physical things, or I learned that they could be learned.” Jane Nortcote, Artist 

⏰ Why Now ⏰ 

Time is of the essence. Jacobs Wells is deteriorating rapidly. Without prompt intervention, it may face demolition and privatisation, depriving the community of a vital space for community and youth activities and the city of its home for dance.  

Trinity has a proven track record in heritage restoration and community arts management. Backed by stakeholders - including Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association, artists, local councillors and Trinity Patron Miriam Margolyes – Trinity was deemed the only viable organisation to take on this mission to save Jacobs Wells Baths.

Since 2023 Trinity has secured a 35-year lease of Jacobs Wells as a final chance to bring it back to life.

With your help we can preserve this historical gem and transform it into a vibrant space for local people and the wider city.  Please give what you can to support this recovery effort 

💓 Show the Love 💓 

This Fundsurfer appeal is vital in demonstrating community support for this recovery plan, helping us to achieve our target and show the love people have for this building and the memories it holds. 

Your support is vital in our mission to preserve Jacobs Wells. Join us today. 

🌐 What we've achieved so far... 🌐 

So far we've concentrated efforts on making the building watertight, addressing the serious damage it has suffered over the decades due to heavy rain and lack of maintenance. This includes protecting what remains of the impressive glass latern roof, improving thermal insulation and waterproofing to prevent any further damage to the fabric and interior space. 

By taking a phased approach to the needed restoration works, we can gradually reinstate public access to get people back in parts of the building as soon as possible. 

We're actively applying to grant schemes, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to deliver a phased repair and renovation scheme and reopen Jacobs Wells as a hub for community, arts, and youth provision by Autumn 2025. 

🎉Help us in bringing back Jacobs Wells. Together, we can make the magic happen!🎉