Bristol residents less satisfied with life

A QUALITY of life survey suggests Bristolians are less satisfied now than before the pandemic, with many worrying about inflation and rising bills.

Thousands of people selected at random are surveyed by Bristol City Council for its annual Quality of Life survey, to measure how their experience of local life and public services is changing.

Three quarters of people living in Bristol surveyed in 2019 said they were “satisfied with life” - but the proportion dropped to 62% last year.

Results from the latest survey, which had 3,905 respondents, show people are becoming less healthy and more unsatisfied.

Writing on his blog, Mayor Marvin Rees said: “Results from 2023’s Quality of Life survey highlight the impact the national cost of living crisis is having on Bristol residents.

"Unfortunately, there are increases in residents’ worries about everyday life and costs. Almost half of participants are extremely worried or moderately worried about keeping their home warm this winter.

“Across Bristol there are many people having to choose between putting food on the table and heating their homes, a choice that no one should have to make in 2023.

"Our city’s advice services are incredibly busy with people asking for help and advice on managing money and debt, and there are so many people concerned with how they will pay their rent or energy bills next month.”

People saying they were 'satisfied with life' dropped from

75% in 2019 to 62% last year, while the number of people who said they had a 'below average mental well-being' increased from 15% to 21%.

Fewer people also get enough exercise each week, dropping from 71% to 64%.

With heating bills rising, 48% of respondents said they worried about keeping their homes warm.

Satisfaction with local bus services dropped from 48% in 2019 to 38% last year.

The number of people satisfied with the cost of their rent or mortgage payments dropped from 59% to 49%.

Analysis of residents living in the most deprived areas of the city showed 62% worried about keeping their homes warm, only 46% said they were satisfied with life and 34% said they had below average mental well-being, with only 52% saying they get enough exercise each week.

Mr Rees added: “If you are struggling to put food on the table or to pay your energy bills, please reach out.

"You do not need to be in a crisis before asking for support - it’s better to ask the questions and get advice before you get to that point.”

People seeking help with housing, mental health, food, money, jobs, heating bills and other cost of living support can find out information and signposting on the council’s website at bit.ly/3m83yEd.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA

March 1

PILATES - NEW CLASSES

Starting 1st March Tuesdays 9.30 & 10.45am & 12pm Bristol Dance Studio, Fishponds. Wednesdays 9.30am Wellness Centre, Chipping Sodbury

Thursdays 9.30am & 11am The Unitarian Chapel, Frenchay

Small, friendly & warm classes. Beginners, refreshers, a little rusty, Full on enthusiasts or just intrigued Everyone welcome.

Debbie 07771 544549 bristol@mm-pilates.co.uk

Mindful Movements Pilates

March 18 n FREE NORDIC WALKING TASTER, Vassalls Park, 10am. Poles provided. Priority places for people who live locally and cannot afford to sign up for a commercial group. More details at bit. ly/3EC7jrH or from Subitha of Lets Walk Bristol on 07721 711687.

March 21 n MINI EXPLORERS at Hillfields Community Garden, 10-11am, pre-school nature group for children aged 2-4, parents/carers and siblings. Gardening, songs, crafts and activities, with teas, coffees, squash and biscuits. Free - all welcome and no booking needed.

April 1 n FRIENDS OF THE PARK (Oldbury Court Estate/Vassalls Park) official launch meeting.

Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, 2pm. All welcome.

Regular Events

Monday n BARTON HILL RFC CHARITY CAFE, Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, from noon until 3pm. Food and drink, bargain donated goods, friendly and welcoming place to meet, staffed entirely by volunteers raising money for charity. n WELCOME SPACE at Hillfields Library, Summerleaze, Hillfields 12.15-6pm. Open to all, with free hot drinks, food, newspapers and magazines, games, information on support services and after-school homework club. Every Monday until April.

Tuesday n PHOENIX ART CLUB meets on Tuesdays at Stapleton Church Hall, Park Road, from 10am to midday.

Wednesday n BARTON HILL RFC CHARITY CAFE, Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, from noon until 3pm. Food and drink, bargain donated goods, friendly and welcoming place to meet, staffed entirely by volunteers raising money for charity. n DOWNEND FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB meets at 7.30pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month from September to June, at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, Downend. Call Genise on 0777 245 1217.

Friday n EASTVILLE PARK FOODCLUB OPEN n FRIENDS OF HILLFIELDS LIBRARY Silver Explorers social group for retired people living in Hillfields. Weekly group running until April, 10am-noon. Activities include talks, music, crafts and history. Free tea and coffee. More information at friendsofhillfieldslibrary@gmail. com or friends' Facebook page. n IN-THE-PINK Sensible exercise to music for mature ladies every Friday, 9-10am, Hillfields Park Baptist Church, Thicket Avenue. Followed by chat & coffee, pay session-by-session. Get yourself fit & make new friends. More information from Julie on 07903 123793.

FOR COLLECTIONS, every Friday 121.30pm. To enquire about membership, email eastvilleparkfoodclub@gmail.com or call 07591 748548.

Saturday n LU LIFE CHURCH 'SHARED SPACES', Fishponds Old Library, Fishponds Road. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, 2-3pm. Singing, dancing and drumming. All welcome. For more details email LULifeChurch@gmail.com or call Rev P on 0750 839 0298. n VOLUNTEER GROUP at Hillfields Community Garden, every third Saturday of the month, 10.30am-noon. Help look after the garden, with activities for children. More details from hillfieldscommunitygarden@gmail.com.

Sunday n FRIENDS OF THE PARK (Oldbury Court Estate/Vassalls Park) litter pick. Last Sunday of every month - meet at 1pm, at the kiosk by the play park.

Quarry House in Fishponds offers safe and nurturing care

We are now enabling close contact visits in the home, every resident is able to have an essential care giver, and there is no isolation required for new residents from the community. We still have a varied activity schedule which keeps life interesting and happy.

We also ensure:

• Strict Infection Control measures approved by Public Health England are fully implemented

• Care staff wear PPE at all times and we have ensured a high volume of supply

• Skilled nurses are on site 24/7 and respiratory equipment is at hand

• Safe face-to-face visits where possible