Bristol Charities, an organisation working in the city for over 600 years, has commissioned an independent piece of historical research to better understand whether, and in what ways, our organisation and its predecessor charities may have benefitted from wealth connected to the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of African people. This work has been motivated purely by our commitment to openness and transparency, and by our progressive, inclusive values as we continue our journey toward becoming an actively anti-racist organisation.
We recognise and understand the strength of feeling within communities affected by this issue, and we do not take that lightly.
From early, desk-based review, we do not anticipate that there will be significant affiliations to the transatlantic slave trade. However, we believe it is important to examine our history thoroughly and responsibly, so that we can be confident in our understanding and accountable for what it reveals. For this reason, we have commissioned respected University of Bristol researcher Dr Richard Stone to undertake detailed archival research. We are committed to publishing all findings, along with our response and next steps, when the work is complete, with the final report expected in Autumn 2026.
Dr Richard Stone notes, “In a city such as Bristol, links to the enslaved people whose labour formed such a linchpin of the Atlantic economy in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries are never far away. Few of the city’s institutions have not been touched by this troubling history, or indeed benefited from slavery derived wealth in some way. This need not, however, be something which is hidden and shied away from. The many organisations which have investigated their links to slavery in recent years are proof positive that difficult pasts are something we both can and should face up to. By doing so, we are able to tell the stories of all of those who, willingly or not, contributed to making Bristol the city it is today. But also, even more crucially, can reflect on the trauma and inequalities which remain today, and look towards repair and healing.
“I am pleased to be able to help Bristol Charities investigate and understand its links to historic slavery. The archival research will aim to address two key questions:
- Did Bristol Charities (or its predecessor charities) receive funds derived from slavery enslavement or trafficking of enslaved people?
- Did Bristol Charities receive funds from those manufacturing slave-produced commodities (sugar, rum, tobacco, cotton) or closely related trades (shipping, insurance, finance, provisioning)?
“Founded in 1835, but with its roots in multiple predecessor institutions, the history of Bristol Charities will be a complex but fascinating one to unpick. Extensive archival work will be carried out, examining the known connections such as the Enslaver and Philanthropist Samuel Gist, but also the hundreds of others who benefited from slavery in Bristol.”
“As custodians of a long-standing Bristol institution, we have a responsibility to confront every aspect of our history with honesty and integrity. Undertaking this research into Bristol Charities’ potential associations with slavery is a vital step in acknowledging the full story of our past. Publishing this report openly reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and learning. Only by understanding where we have come from can we ensure that our future actions are rooted in justice, dignity, and the values we hold today.”
—Andy Street, Chair of Trustees, Bristol Charities
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