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A piece of the puzzle

The Cable's solutions series

There’s an old saying in journalism that “if it bleeds, it leads”, meaning that news organisations put the grimmest stories front and centre. No doubt, it’s necessary to highlight the bad and the ugly around us. But journalism too often focuses on just the problem, not the solution. That’s why we’re launching this solutions series.

Expect to find vibrant debates and big ideas, inspiring tales of innovators and people champions, and realistic solutions to some of the most pressing issues on our streets. Together with members, community activists, residents and local experts we explore the pieces of the puzzle that can help solve some of the biggest issues facing our communities.

Inside the Bristol clinic offering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for mental health and addiction

The evidence from the £6,000 treatment plans is encouraging despite a lack of large-scale studies, but questions remain around disparities of access.

Locked out of nature: Making Bristol’s parks accessible to Disabled people

Being outdoors is vital to our wellbeing, even more so during a pandemic, but for Disabled people, getting out into nature is harder than ever.

The chemistry detectives tracking down illegal emissions

Five years ago, Bristol scientists discovered illegal ozone-destroying pollution on the other side of the world. Their findings prompted action – but they say the climate crisis demands better atmospheric monitoring.

Would a database that names and shames rogue landlords help protect renters?

London renters can access a searchable database of enforcement actions against landlords. Could something similar help people navigate the minefield of finding somewhere to live in Bristol?

Bristol is exploring the idea of rent controls. But will they help fix a broken system?

Campaigners are demanding the city’s political leaders lobby the government for local power to introduce regulation in response to steep rent rises.

Council commits to crackdown on benefit discrimination against renters

Following a renter-led campaign by Shelter, councillors from across parties voted to support the Labour motion pledging to tackle landlords excluding renters who claim benefits.

Respite rooms offer a vital breathing space to women facing abuse and homelessness

Women experiencing violence or domestic abuse in conjunction with homelessness and other traumas have long been at risk of slipping through gaps between services. A new project aims to make sure that doesn’t happen.

A space for people to come together and know their rights: the Bristol Unemployed Workers’ Centre

Unemployment has soared during the pandemic, and things are probably going to get worse. The organisers of a new project for people who have lost their jobs say they’ll offer practical support – and solidarity at a time when many are feeling ‘atomised’.

How can schools address the long-term impacts of Covid-19 this academic year?

As kids go back to school this week, schools are considering how to repair the damage of the last 18 months.

Why Bristol Rovers have joined the campaign for football reform

English football is dominated by big clubs and billionaire owners. But calls for a fairer football pyramid are more prominent than ever.

Swimming in Bristol Harbour is possible. How can we make it happen?

We talk to Julien De Smedt, the architect behind Copenhagen’s first and best-known swimming harbour bath, and Johnny Palmer, founder of local campaign group Swim Bristol Harbour, about what it takes to make a harbour swimmable.

‘Tents and shipping containers won’t solve our homelessness crisis. Here’s what will’

Former council lead for housing, Paul Smith shares his take on what Bristol needs to do about homelessness.

A new home for Bristol Bike Project to help make bikes available for all

A co-operatively run project that provides affordable means of transport to the most vulnerable is very close to moving to a new home.

Big ideas of what a good ‘new normal’ could look like after coronavirus

As part of the Cable’s solutions series, we look at some problems facing the city, and ambitious but achievable ways to address them.

‘You need to see yourself’: tackling the national curriculum’s overwhelming whiteness

“Put yourself into their shoes for a moment.” Aisha Thomas, the assistant principal at City Academy in Easton, is explaining how the national curriculum is...

Meet the Bristol collective putting surplus wealth in the hands of people tackling injustice

In a society where hoarding money and power is the norm, what can be achieved by thinking differently? Bristol Redistro is trying to find out, by encouraging rich individuals to channel their excess into a pool of money that community groups control.

The idea of sharing a home across generational divides is having a come back

Housing is expensive for Bristol's young people, so what about bridging the generational divide and saving some cash?

How to heat your home, save cash and the planet

Some basic measures can go a long way to tackling carbon emissions.

Could Housing First put an end to the idea of people being ‘unhouseable’?

A radical alternative to traditional housing solutions is offering hope and stability to Bristolians who have spent years without a home to call their own.

Bristol SEND crisis: from isolation to family

Amid a crisis in special educational needs, these parents are building their own community.

Bristol: A city of solutions

There’s already so much great work being done across the city to find solutions. Here’s just a few ...

The routes out of Bristol’s bus nightmare

Bristol’s buses are gridlocked and there's growing clamour for change. But where to next? We break down the options.

We asked: What needs solving in Bristol?

This issue is about solutions, so we asked the Cable’s 2,100 members what they most want to see solutions for. Here we explore some ideas for solutions to the biggest themes members raised: transport and housing. 

Why we’re starting a series of ‘solutions journalism’

Looking at ambitious and realistic solutions to the problems facing our communities - not just the problems.

Grub’s up: the projects tackling food poverty and social isolation

We investigate the community projects grappling with Bristol’s growing food poverty.

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