Bristol Beer Factory has long supported community-minded individuals coming together. In the pub, yes, but also in the world of sports, where working as a team isn’t just a tactic, it’s a lifestyle. We’ve been backing some local organisations through our Brewed to Give initiative, and as the year draws to a close, what better time could there be to reflect on our impact?
Hello! Who are you? What’s your involvement with Brewed to Give?
“Ashton FC is a community grassroots football club based in the community for local children. It is run solely by volunteers. Our team plays in the Bristol Girls League and is currently competing in the U18s age group.” Emma Penman, Ashton FC Girls U17s
“As the South West's first inclusive rugby team, we've been offering a safe place for anyone to play rugby - whatever their sexuality, ethnicity, gender, age, etc. - since we were founded back in 2005. BBF's support through Brewed to Give is making a huge difference.” Jamie White, Club Chair, Bristol Bisons RFC
“Brewed 2 Give has been a lifeline for us, it has ensured we are able to fund projects, mainly with our pitches to ensure they are in the correct condition for our young players to play every week.” Maxine, Bristol Rovers Supporters Juniors FC
“We (at Bristol VC) raised £859, which we have set aside in our budget to help us cover costs relating to our youth teams.” Anita, Bristol VC Chair
What help can Brewed to Give provide to your group?
“The BBF’s Brewed to Give scheme has helped us to expand our junior section of our club, in terms of representation in competitions, which will in turn help with their development as players, and individuals. With the funds from the scheme, we’ve managed to set aside money to help run activities for the youth teams specifically, whilst maintaining the same membership fees for them as last year, and we hope that this makes the sport more accessible.” Anita
“Sadly, due to climate change our local area has been experiencing prolonged periods of extremely wet weather, which have been increasing year on year. The heavy downpours came early this year, September. This has a negative impact on how and where our team can train and play. Our usual pitches within the local park and school grounds become unplayable due to waterlogging, training and matches are often cancelled. It is costly to hire all weather pitches. The amazing financial support that Brewed to Give has donated to the team has meant that we have been able to hire an astroturf pitch to train every week no matter the weather.” Emma
“Your support at our Tournaments every year is fantastic, we often have the same teams coming back year after year and even after 2 years we have people asking for your beer and excited that we have it again. The Infinity barrels we had this year was great and sold really well.” Maxine
What difference does this make to your community?
“The difference has been massive, today I have just signed a 6 year old boy up, given him a free kit and his Dad is so grateful that we are here and have a space for his son. We can only do that with schemes like Brewed 2 Give.” Maxine
“All of our member's monthly fees goes towards having a home ground to train, so the support our fantastic sponsors - like BBF - give us helps us to continue on functioning and existing as a club, providing that safe space for people who might not feel they have a community to fit into, for years to come.” Jamie
What are some specific activities that these funds have helped with?
“Subsidising travel costs for junior teams, competing in the National Volleyball League Junior competitions. This allows them to represent the team and the club on national level, whilst easing the cost for junior members and their parents. Also subsidising travel costs for junior members, for those entering regional competitions (as individuals) - making competing more accessible. And indirectly allowing us to fund junior member related activities, such as hosting tournaments for regional teams, entering more junior teams into the national competitions, and easing costs for purchasing additional equipment such as 6 new volleyballs.” Anita
“We have been able to hire an astroturf pitch to train every week no matter the weather. The floodlit pitch means that we aren’t constrained by the dark nights in autumn and winter. This consistency is vital to keep up fitness and prepare for our matches. The extra money means that we have been able to subsidise the team’s expenses to allow for more inclusivity. We are currently saving for a new match kit.” Emma
“We have purchased a Verti Drainer, one that can be used by hand easily, this has made a massive difference to our pitches, it means that we can put the games on even when the weather has been particularly wet. This means that the 450 youth players can still play the game they love every week. Also this money has funded our winter training, then ensures that all players are able to train in the week.” Maxine
“Thanks to the support and funds from BBF we have been able to purchase our touch team vests (perfect for the summer play), aided us with new equipment such as training balls + needed water bottles, and also gone towards helping us fund our coaching team.” Jamie
Any final words to describe your Brewed to Give experience?
“Unique, inventive and iconic. The Brewed to Give scheme is stand-out and nothing else like it exists. It's a truly amazing set-up. You’ve been so supportive beyond what we could have even imagined, from kit to beer, to letting us host meetings and our AGM.” Jamie
“It has been a lifeline for our club, it has meant that we can go that bit further for our young players to ensure they play and train every week. It has meant that we can have more teams which in turn means more young people playing a team sport.” Maxine
“We are extremely grateful and proud to be part of the Brew to Give scheme, unique sponsorship rewarding work within the local community.” Emma
