At Bristol Charities, our Trustees play a vital role in shaping our strategy, guiding our work, and ensuring we stay true to our values and purpose. They bring a wealth of experience, insight and passion to the organisation – helping us make a lasting difference in the lives of the people and communities we serve.
In this series, we’re introducing you to the individuals behind the boardroom table – sharing their stories, what motivates them, and why they chose to be part of our journey.
Today, we’re delighted to shine a light on our Chair of the Board, Trustee Andy Street. Andy’s commitment to Bristol and the charitable sector is renowned. He is a pioneer in connecting people and businesses with indefatigable energy and a razor-sharp focus.
Andy moved to Bristol in 1980 after graduating from London University with a first-class honours degree in Civil Engineering. Alongside a successful career as an environmental consultant and one of the five founding directors of global consultancy SLR, Andy has become a leading figure in Bristol’s charity, social enterprise, and social investment sectors.
He is the founder and Chair of FareShare South West, Chair of Turnaround Bristol – one of Bristol’s leading homelessness charities, and leads several other charities and community-based initiatives. Andy has spearheaded the redevelopment of numerous derelict buildings for community and charitable use and is at the forefront of city-wide projects tackling food poverty and creating training, employment, and mentoring opportunities for ex-offenders. He is also a passionate advocate for supporting refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Bristol.
Bristol Charities is proud to call him our Chair, and we were delighted to sit down with him to learn more about the man behind so many missions.
Trustee Profile: Andy Street
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and what brought you to Bristol Charities?
My background is very much rooted in engineering. I trained as a civil engineer, but my entire career has been in the environmental sector. Around 20 years ago, I made a conscious decision to step back from full-time work and get more involved in life here in the city, particularly through charity work. As I explored Bristol Charities’ history, achievements, and, most importantly, its potential, I was drawn to the role. It’s a fantastic charity, doing vital work, and I’m proud to be part of it.
Q: What inspired you to become a trustee of Bristol Charities?
Bristol Charities is an extraordinary organisation – one with an amazing history, doing great work right across the city. But what really stood out to me was the potential to do even more, to have an even greater impact. Given my involvement in the city across various areas, it just felt like the right time to get involved.
And now, a year and a half in, I can say – so far, so good!
Q: What does being part of the Bristol Charities family mean to you?
Being part of Bristol Charities, means a lot. I know some of the people involved in the organisation from previous projects, and I’ve discovered a real depth and unparallelled track record over 600 years. The staff and trustees are a group of people who really care about what they do, they are amazing. Bristol Charities has an incredible opportunity to contribute a huge amount to the city with its new strategic vision and I’m excited to work with everyone to play my part in this.
Q: Is there a moment from your time as trustee that’s really kind of stuck with you or inspired you?
I remember attending my first Bristol Charities meeting, even before I officially became a trustee. I sat quietly at the edge of the room, just observing – and it was clear even then that something important was beginning to shift. The organisation had done incredibly well in the housing space, but there was a growing appetite to develop a wider, more ambitious strategy.
Now, 18 months on, the progress we’ve made is remarkable. The Board is fully aligned and supportive, and we’ve moved from those early conversations into meaningful action. That transformation is thanks to Julian and the team’s leadership, but also to the commitment and energy of the trustees who’ve really embraced the vision.
Looking back, that very first meeting was a turning point for me. It showed just how much can happen when you have the right people, purpose and passion. I find it incredibly encouraging to see how far we’ve come in such a short space of time.
Q: How do your personal or professional experiences help you in your role as a trustee?
Over the past 20 years or so, I’ve gradually transitioned from working full-time in the business world to focusing more on community-based work, with charities, social enterprises, and social investment. In that time, I’ve come to know Bristol in a much deeper way. I’ve visited places I might never have gone before, connected with people and communities that have really shaped my understanding of the city.
I’ve lived in Bristol for nearly 45 years and I’m incredibly proud to call it home. It’s a brilliant city, full of creativity, energy, and potential, but it also faces some serious challenges. I care deeply about the injustice and inequality that still exist, and I believe we have a collective responsibility to address it.
I hope the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over the years, and my real passion for this city, can offer something of value in my work with Bristol Charities. That’s certainly my hope, to make a meaningful contribution alongside others who care just as much.
Q: Why do you think the work Bristol Charities does is so vital for the city – especially now?
One of the things I really love about Bristol is the way the city has embraced the One City Approach over the last decade. For me, that represents something powerful, the idea of a whole city coming together, working collaboratively, and moving forward with shared purpose. When that kind of unity happens, something special is possible.
In the last year or two, I’ve seen Bristol Charities really lean into that vision. We’ve committed ourselves to building stronger communities and to being an active part of a citywide effort to tackle inequality and create opportunities at a local level. Bristol Charities has the track record, and, most importantly, the passionate commitment of its staff and trustees to play a meaningful role in that.
And that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning, often far too early(!), but with real energy and belief. I think we’re at a moment in time where we can make a significant contribution, and I feel proud to be part of that.
Q: What would you say to someone thinking about getting involved – as a volunteer, donor, or future trustee?
I’ve been involved with quite a few charities over the years, and one thing I’ve seen time and again is that those making the biggest impact in their communities are powered by strong volunteer support. Volunteers really are the lifeblood of so many organisations, and that’s absolutely true of Bristol Charities.
If you’re reading this and wondering whether you’ve got something to offer, I’d say the answer is almost certainly yes. Whether it’s lending a hand at one of our community hubs, helping out at the Vassall Centre, or supporting one of our projects, of applying to be a trustee, there are lots of ways to get involved.
We’d love to welcome you. You’ll be part of something meaningful happening in the city, and I think you’ll find it incredibly fulfilling too. So, give it some thought, there’s a place for you, and you’ll be joining a warm, vibrant community.
Q: In three words or a phrase, how would you describe Bristol Charities?
For me, it all comes down to a simple phrase: building great communities. That really captures what Bristol Charities is growing into, especially over the past year or two. We’re not just delivering services; we’re actively working to help create places where people feel connected, supported, and proud to belong.
Q: Tell us a bit about the new strategy? What does it hope to achieve?
Housing remains at the core of the strategy, but our focus has grown, we’re now committed to building strong, thriving communities across the city, investing in ‘forgotten postcodes’ who have suffered gravely from underinvestment and entrenched, multi-generational, multi-issue poverty. We’ve started this work in Stockwood, Henbury, and here in Frome Vale where the Vassall Centre is, and we’re looking ahead to see how we can build on that in other postcodes. It’s about creating a much broader, more rounded offer, with community and homes at the heart of it.
Q: Now, how do you take your tea – we have some pretty specific tea-making preferences in our staff, and we’d love to hear yours?
Now, I’m a bit choosy when it comes to tea, my family’s from Yorkshire, and we’re very proud of our tea up there! It’s milk first, never after. You’ve got to warm the pot, use proper tea, and let it stew to get a nice strong brew. I take it with a dash of milk, no sugar. You can’t beat it!