We Are Bristol Cornavirus Hotline
A dedicated free telephone hotline has been launched in Bristol to help the city’s most vulnerable citizens during the coronavirus pandemic.
The We Are Bristol support phone number – 0800 694 0184 – is now live today and is free to use. It will offer a potential lifeline to isolated and worried residents across the city.
Call handlers will be available from 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays to provide support for people with a wide range of needs, including obtaining food supplies, other essential items and medication. They can also help arrange follow-up support with different organisations.
Deaf BSL users can contact the phoneline through a BSL Interpreter using SignVideo.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said:
“The free hotline is in place to ensure we have a non-digital way for our most vulnerable residents and those at risk to access the help they may need, wherever we can. The coronavirus pandemic means many of us are worried, anxious and need help. Here in Bristol we have volunteers who are waiting to help you – when you most need it.
“Anyone concerned about feeling isolated, getting food, essential items or medicine they need could benefit from the phone line. Even if you simply need someone to walk your dog or a person to talk to once a week. After all, a problem shared is a problem halved.
“Call the We Are Bristol support hotline on 0800 694 0184. Together we are stronger. Together We Are Bristol.”
The line will be answered by up to 30 staff who are all trained to handle calls and refer those with specific needs to the right areas.
There will also be a call back option to limit waiting time during busy periods and ensure everyone who needs help can access it.
More blog posts
Preached by the Canon Guy Wilkinson
We are so very excited to be part of The Forsytes , a new TV adaptation of John Galsworthy's beloved novels. Produced for Channel 5 and Masterpiece, the show’s first season - which premieres on Monday 20th October 2025 - was filmed almost entirely in and around Bristol between May and August 2024, with significant scenes filmed within St Mary Redcliffe. You can read more about the production on Bristol 24/7 and watch the series' trailer below.
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
On Monday 13th October 2025, members of the SMR staff team visited Bristol Archives to meet Senior Archivist Lucy Bonner and retired archivist Anne Bradley who has been leading the process of transferring archival documents from the church to the Create Centre - home of Bristol Archives - for a number of years. The purpose of the visit was to gather information on best practice for storing, preserving, organizing and transferring documentation to the archives, and to receive advice on how to meet the challenge of archiving in the digital era in which most documents are created and held digitally, rather than printed. This shift in process has had significant implications for the management of archival material, processes for which must now respond to risks associated with the fast pace of technological change and the likely future redundancy of current forms of digital storage technology. During the visit, the team were shown examples of important documents from the church archives, including the original deed for Redcliffe Pipe and the associated pipe lands, dating from around 1190-1200; the founding charter of Queen Elizabeth's Free School of Grammar and Writing from 1571; the C15th deed for one of William Canynges' chantries; and materials relating to the major Victorian restoration of St Mary Redcliffe that took place between 1842 and 1872. The staff team will continue working with Anne and Bristol Archives to embed processes that will ensure current data is preserved for the benefit of future generations.
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
