A silent mind’s view of Knowle West

Edition 4 15th July, 2015

Knowle West is a neighbourhood in south Bristol, home to 12,000 residents. Since its creation in the 1930s following slum clearance in the city centre, the area has been plagued by long-term social and economic issues and scores high on multiple measures of deprivation.

Perceptions of Knowle West in the media and among other outsiders tend to focus on stereotyped understandings of ‘issues’ and ‘problems’ and have often been formed without a dialogue with the people who live in the community.

However, below misplaced media representations lies richness in Knowle West and places like it. Familial and social networks built over the years offer its community a strong sense of identity, and often practical solutions and everyday support.

Through this photo essay I intended to engage and interact with the community of Knowle West with a silent mind and without preconceptions to create an authentic record of my interactions and experiences.”

Read more on: community, drugs, knowle west, youth

Tommy Sussex

Keep the Lights On

Investigative journalism strengthens democracy – it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

The Cable is Bristol’s independent, investigative newsroom. Owned and steered by more than 2,600 members, we produce award-winning journalism that digs deep into what’s happening in Bristol.

We are on a mission to become sustainable – will you help us get there?

Join now

What makes us different?

Comments

Report a comment. Comments are moderated according to our Comment Policy.

Judith Davis

March 22, 2016 at 9:01 pm

Good, very insightful and thought provoking.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Ruth Pitter on the role of the charity sector, pioneering Black theatre and her recent MBE

Neil chats to Ruth, a daughter of the Windrush generation, on her decades of work with Bristol's voluntary and community groups, how that's changed as public services have been cut – and whether she feels conflicted about receiving an honour associated with empire.

Neil Maggs, George Colwey and Priyanka Raval

Reports

Community standoff with council over eviction threat of beloved Kuumba Centre in St Paul’s

The space next to Stokes Croft has served the local community for decades but activists are now fighting to secure its long-term future.

Isaac Kneebone-Hopkins

Future of Cities

Urban growers are quietly laying the ground for a food revolution. Can it become a reality?

Growing fruit and veg close to home is better for our health – and could help keep us fed when climate change disrupts supply chains. Could doing more of it provide a secure, affordable, and sustainable way of meeting Bristol's needs?

Tom Wall

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Neil Maggs

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Babbasa CEO Poku Osei on changing the system from the inside

In the wake of the recent murder of St Pauls teenager Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia, Neil talks to Poku Osei from Babbasa who aim to empower young people from local income and ethnic minority households.

Neil Maggs, Adam Cantwell-Corn and George Colwey

Features

Turbo Island got tarmacked, was there a better alternative?

An outpouring of posts eulogising the wonders of Turbo Island poured forth on social media, bemoaning the loss of a “cultural icon”. But what does it mean for Stokes Croft?

Priyanka Raval

Your Bristol Life

Listen: Skate or Cry by Jazlyn Pinckney

In this audio documentary, five women taking space in Bristol’s skateboarding scene speak to Jazlyn Pinckney. Some have just picked up a board for the first time, others have been skating for decades.

Tom Brothwell and Marcus Smith

Cable

Community

Sections

Membership

A silent mind’s view of Knowle West

Knowle West is a neighbourhood in south Bristol, home to 12,000 residents. Since its creation in the 1930s following slum clearance in the city centre, the area has been plagued by long-term social and economic issues and scores high on multiple measures of deprivation.

Keep the Lights On

Comments

Related content

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Ruth Pitter on the role of the charity sector, pioneering Black theatre and her recent MBE

Community standoff with council over eviction threat of beloved Kuumba Centre in St Paul’s

Urban growers are quietly laying the ground for a food revolution. Can it become a reality?

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Babbasa CEO Poku Osei on changing the system from the inside

Turbo Island got tarmacked, was there a better alternative?

Listen: Skate or Cry by Jazlyn Pinckney

Knowle West is a neighbourhood in south Bristol, home to 12,000 residents. Since its creation in the 1930s following slum clearance in the city centre, the area has been plagued by long-term social and economic issues and scores high on multiple measures of deprivation.

Keep the Lights On

Comments

Related content

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Ruth Pitter on the role of the charity sector, pioneering Black theatre and her recent MBE

Community standoff with council over eviction threat of beloved Kuumba Centre in St Paul’s

Urban growers are quietly laying the ground for a food revolution. Can it become a reality?

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Babbasa CEO Poku Osei on changing the system from the inside

Turbo Island got tarmacked, was there a better alternative?

Listen: Skate or Cry by Jazlyn Pinckney

Get the essential stories you won’t find anywhere else

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter