We are Bristol Community Legends!

On March 6th at Ashton Gate, the Open Minds Active team joined friends, partners, and inspiring community organisations to celebrate this year’s Bristol 24/7 Bristol Legends awards. The event showcased nine categories that reflected the rich diversity of our city, from art and music to food, business, sport, sustainability, and of course, community. The food was amazing thanks to Anti Banquet and community organisations like Square Food Foundation who worked so hard to feed over 600 people!

We were honoured to be shortlisted in the Community Legends category alongside so many incredible organisations that form the beating heart of Bristol’s voluntary sector.

So when our name was read out as the winner of our sub‑category, we were absolutely over the moon. It was unexpected, and deeply meaningful. For us, being recognised as a community organisation is so important. Our mission has always been simple: to strengthen mental health and wellbeing within communities by widening access to nature and blue spaces. Creating joyful, inclusive swimming spaces where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and supported is at our core. Yet, in the challenging times we live in, this hasn’t always been easy. We’ve seen racism and intolerance reach levels we haven’t experienced in years, and it has made our commitment to kindness and community feel more important than ever.

This award is a celebration of that commitment. It belongs to all our swimmers, many of whom joined us on the night to celebrate. Thank you for being part of our community, for showing up with courage and joy, and for making the water feel like a home for so many.

To everyone out there using your own tools whether it be sport, food, art, music, creativity, or care, keep spreading the love and humanity. Your crucial work helps make Bristol the vibrant, safe, and welcoming city we all want it to be. Special mention to Charlie from Active Being the Nature Consortia who was also shortlisted in the sports category!

For the full list of winners and some great photos from the evening, click here.

Thanks again to all who nominated us.

Maggy

Founder and Director