Bristol Together provides full-time jobs for recently released prisoners in the construction industry. We employ and train individuals in a range of building skills, and then help them on to their next role.

Our Services

We undertake two main types of work:

Small new build development projects

We are a developer of new build housing schemes, typically up to 12 dwellings.

We aim to sell our developments to local housing associations for affordable rented accommodation in the local community.

All profits are then reinvested back into the next development project.

Building contract work

We provide high quality building services to build, renovate or refurbish properties on behalf of our clients.

For our employees, this offers a variety of training opportunities and helps to smooth out the peaks and troughs of property development work.

See our impact

Projects

See all projects

How we work

Our employees typically stay with us for 1-2 years, earn a living wage and receive support and mentoring; they develop new skills and gain a fresh vision for their future.  We have trained individuals in Plasterboarding and Plastering, Rendering, Roofing, Tiling, Kitchen Fitting, Brick Laying, Stone Masonry, Plumbing and Painting and Decorating.

At the end of their time with us we help our employees to find onward employment or assist them to start self-employment.  Fortunately the construction industry is very good at employing ex–offenders.  Indeed a number of our workers have left us to join firms now owned and run by people with a previous record themselves.

On all projects, both new build activity and renovations, ex-offenders are employed on-site in the construction work.  Our experienced project managers work ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with our employees.  Slowly but surely we build trust, confront challenges and help these vulnerable people to learn new skills and build their confidence and qualifications.

The Board

We have brought together a strong group of experienced and committed people who are passionate about helping those in need in their local community.

  • Paul Morgan, Managing Director

    Paul has worked in residential property development for 14 years. Initially concentrating on refurbishment and extension sites and following on to high-end new build projects. Before this he spent 5 years working in residential property finance. Paul joined Bristol Together in 2018 and has to date completed sites up to a GDV of £2 million, as well as growing the company's building contract income significantly over the last 3 years.

  • Anna Southall, Director

    Anna is a former Vice Chair of Big Lottery Fund. She has enjoyed a long career in the public sector, as Director of the National Museums of Wales and CEO of the Museums Libraries and Archives Council. She has also served on the boards of a number of grant making bodies, chairing the Barrow Cadbury Trust from 1996 to 2006. Anna is the Lead Trustee for the Young Adults and Criminal Justice programme.

  • Paul Harrod, Founder & Director

    Paul founded Bristol Together CIC in late 2011. He was also the co-founder of the homelessness social enterprise Aspire. Paul has also had management experience at the University of Bristol’s Research and Enterprise Division, and has extensive non-executive director experience within a wide range of charities and social enterprises. He is currently a director of the Castle School Education Trust.

  • Henry Easterbrook

    Henry has enjoyed a varied career in construction, property and engineering. Initially as a surveyor and working for consultants and contractors in UK and abroad. Latterly, as board director for Hydrock, a national engineering consultancy. Henry chose to leave full time corporate life at the end of 2019. He now holds a portfolio of roles including; non-exec director of Bristol Together, Hydrock and trustee of We The Curious, a science and arts centre and educational charity in Bristol. Henry is keen advocate of social science, particularly organisational psychology, and the role it plays in defining culture and community. He is also a passionate champion of social value, particularly achieving impact through combining private sector with third sector organisation to leverage shared values.