Initial Workshop by Bristol Women's Commission Economy Task Group
Bristol Women's Commission Economy Task Group delivers workshop on the Caring Economy. A paper produced for post-COVID recovery strategy highlighting caring economy's role in economic rebuilding. Cabinet members and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority are briefed. A partnership with Women in Business Charter leads to employer support event for employee carers.
October 2022Caring Economy Alliance is formed
Organisations include: Bristol Black Carers, Bristol Women in Business, Bristol Women’s Commission, Bristol Women’s Voice, Carers Support, Chinese Community Wellbeing Society, Co-Produce Care, WECIL and Women’s Budget Group.
Spring/ Summer 2023Manifesto are launched
Manifestos and research briefings aimed Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority, employers and central government are agreed and published.
Summer 2023Craftivism Workshops
Over 150 women across Bristol engage with us in a series of craftivism workshops making felt pouches with personal messages calling for greater investment in the caring economy.
A Rosa Grant is secured, supporting us with capital costs for campaigning.
‘Caring is at the core of our society but it’s not valued’, Bristol 24/7
Autumn/ Winter 2023Bristol councillors urged to prioritise caring
The Alliance attends the Full Bristol City Council meeting having submitted questions to the open forum and the session in entirely focused on the caring economy. Councillors are given the felt pouches created by Bristol women taking women’s voices directly into hands of the city’s decision-makers.
Care should be at heart of policymaking, campaigners say, BBC Bristol
9 January 2024Caring Economy Community Meetings
Caring Economy Community Meetings get started across the city, they bring together carers to reflect on their own experiences of caring.
Spring 2024Motion
A Golden Motion proposed by the Labour Party and amended by the Green Party to include all our manifesto asks on the Caring Economy is resolved by full council.
March 2024Graffiti Wall
Alliance members and volunteers painted a long graffiti wall, known locally as the M32 Wall, with the slogan: Who cares? We care. Value care! Invest in the caring economy. The slogan stays up for 6 months.
New mural calls for more investment into caring economy, Bristol 24/7
Watch the Graffiti Come to LifeApril 2024West of England Combined Authority
The West of England Combined Authority commits to looking at childcare as infrastructure.
May 2024Lantern Making
Lantern Making Workshops with Lamplighters Arts CIC to gather women’s messages and create paper lanterns.
Oct 2024 – March 2025Shine a Light on Care
A Lamplight Procession brings together around 50 people through the streets of Bristol.
Lamplight procession shines a light on care, Bristol 24/7
22 March 2025Bristol's Economic Strategy 2025-2035
Bristol City Council’s Fair, Green and Thriving: Bristol’s Economic Strategy 2025 – 2035 includes the priority: “Address workforce shortages and raise the profile of the caring economy through a collaboration with Value the Caring Economy Alliance and regional partners to explore piloting initiatives to enhance employment conditions, pay and training” as a result of Alliance influencing efforts.
April 2025Mayoral Elections
Helen Godwin commits to childcare as infrastructure is she is elected as West of England Combined Authority Mayor. She is elected.
May 2025Report Launched
Listening Project report launched.
Autumn 2025What’s next for our Campaign?
The Caring Economy Alliance continues to meet regularly and to talk to local councillors, MPs, decision-makers and employers in the city to keep pushing for a fairer, more caring local economy.
