The Happy City team have seen time and time again that every community, every city has the people, ideas, resources and solutions to solve all their problems, but most of those things remain unseen, un-celebrated and the learning lost.  The Community Voices pilot aims to prove the case for a sustainable hub of citizens journalism to help the voices of change to be heard, the examples of replicable solutions to be shared, and the stories of inspiration and opportunity to be aired as widely as possible. 

Happy City in partnership with Plastic Buddha Productions has set up a Participatory Community Film Facility, providing film training to community groups across Bristol.  Community Voice is working towards creating a wider resource bank of professional film makers, journalists, photographers and writers to support local people to learn the skills to get their voice heard, and tell their story of positive change to the world. 

The Happy City Crew were welcomed into the heart of the Easton area of North Bristol in Autumn 2010 for the first of our Happy City Local Festivals.  As we spent time exploring the area with local volunteers, the number of inspiring projects we found was incredible.  The place is teaming with people and projects that are supporting community happiness in hundreds of different ways.  There is so much to be learned, shared and celebrated that it was hard to limit it to a series of events for our roadshow festival.  

The skills, habits and actions for a happier, more fulfilling life can be learned.  This 10 week programme offers people the chance to learn how to develop lasting happiness and resilience in their own lives, and in turn, their families, friends, workplaces and communities.  It supports learning across a range of themes, from self-awareness and empowerment, to relationship building, community action and life-long learning & growth.   It makes the tools and habits of a flourishing life, easily accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and dreams.