Brunelcare has partnered with Bristol University Students to create new Community Maps designed to help Brunelcare tenants discover local services, activities and opportunities across their neighbourhoods. The Community Mapping Project took place during June 2026 as part of the Bristol Skills Accelerator programme, bringing together Brunelcare and three student interns from the University to explore the communities surrounding all of the Brunelcare housing and care sites.
Over the course of a month, the student team carried out research, community mapping and stakeholder engagement, working closely with the charity’s Director of Customer Services. The resulting Community Maps bring together information about local services and amenities, transport links, green spaces, community groups and other local organisations. The project will also help Brunelcare identify opportunities to work more closely with community organisations and local partners, support customers to live independently with choice, dignity and purpose, and develop a stronger understanding of the neighbourhoods surrounding its housing and care services.
Michelle Richards, Director of Customer Services said: “Working with the Bristol Skills Accelerator programme gave us access to fresh thinking and valuable research that would have been difficult to undertake alongside our day-to-day responsibilities. The project has improved our understanding of the communities around our sites and will help us connect residents and tenants with local opportunities, services and support that can enhance their wellbeing and independence.”
The project, that will be launched to tenants via site meetings, also highlights the value of collaboration between Brunelcare and local education partners. By bringing students’ research skills and fresh perspectives together with Brunelcare’s knowledge of its customers and communities, the project has created practical resources that can continue to be developed and used across its services.
The Community Maps will support Brunelcare’s ongoing commitment to community wellbeing, independence and stronger neighbourhood connections.
