In Bishopsworth, UK, a community group called Green BS13 is showing what can happen when neighbours come together to take action on climate and nature. Their mission is clear: to create a stronger, greener local community, while raising their voices nationally for change.
“We passionately believe in the power of strong local communities who meet face-to-face and take action together.”
Their first project is a Pollinator Pathway – a scheme that transforms neglected spaces into safe, colourful corridors for bees, butterflies and other vital pollinators, while also giving local people somewhere beautiful to enjoy. The idea was inspired by the work of Flora Beverley, also based in south Bristol, whose Pollinator Pathway projects have been widely celebrated in the press, including The Guardian.
The project began with a simple question: why shouldn’t Bishopsworth have the same hand-painted murals, bug hotels and planters that brighten nearby neighbourhoods?
“Instead of feeling down about it, I decided that I had the power to create a community in my local area, so I got to work!” Felicity Brown, Founder of Green BS13
Stage one kicked off with a community clean-up. Volunteers gathered to litter-pick, weed and sweep a run-down alley, transforming it into a brighter and more inviting space.
“I was so nervous before the first meeting. I kept thinking: what if nobody turns up? But 17 people came!”
“The alley already feels so much more spacious without the weeds. When a space has a base level of no litter, people are more likely to maintain it.”
Stage two will bring even more life to the alley, with pollinator-friendly plants, colourful planters, fresh soil and a mural to make it a place both pollinators and people can be proud of.
To make this happen, Green BS13 is turning to Olio. They’ve created an event on the app to attract more volunteers and are posting wanted listings like this one to source compost, planters and plants. Olio is helping the group connect with neighbours who might never have known about the project otherwise.
“We believe everyone deserves to live somewhere beautiful, somewhere they feel proud of.”
Already, the change is clear: a once-forgotten alley is now buzzing with potential, proving that with a little community spirit – and the help of Olio – transformation is possible.
This project is just one example of how Olio can be used beyond food sharing – whether it’s finding volunteers, sourcing supplies, or building stronger connections, the app helps communities come together to make change happen.
What do you love most about Olio?
“It’s a way to bring people together. We can spread the word, find volunteers, and source what we need – all while building community.”
If you live in the Bishopsworth area and want to help out, you can join the event on Olio or chip in with materials via the wanted listings.