Bristol OneCity have published the fifth iteration of the Bristol OneCity Plan, which outlines a vision for a fair, healthy, and sustainable city, with specific goals and collaborative efforts aimed at achieving this vision by 2050.
We look at how Ablaze Corporate Volunteering can help Bristol reach those goals.
The Bristol OneCity Plan sets out a shared citywide vision for a fair, healthy, and sustainable Bristol by 2050, built on collaboration between communities, businesses, public services, and voluntary organisations.
Ablaze, as a charity dedicated to tackling inequality through supporting young people with education, aspiration, and employability, is strongly aligned with the aims and values of the OneCity Plan.
In late January 2026, the latest Bristol OneCity Gathering will bring together leaders from across the public, private, third and voluntary sectors to discuss and understand the city’s progress in alignment with the One City Plan and to collaboratively drive improvement on its goals and priorities. At this event the Ablaze CEO, Gilly Samuddin, will be attending to talk about how Ablaze Corporate Volunteering can help deliver the plan.
Here is how Ablaze Corporate Volunteering aligns with the OneCity Plan:
| 1. Creating Fairer Life Chances for Children and Young People |
The OneCity Plan recognises that Bristol’s young people currently face inequalities linked to socio‑economic background, neighbourhood, and family resources.
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| 2. Supporting an Inclusive, Sustainable and Equitable Economy |
The One City Plan places strong emphasis on developing “an inclusive, sustainable and equitable economy that provides good work and addresses structural inequalities”. Ablaze helps build this economy by:
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| 3. Strengthening Connected and Cohesive Communities |
The OneCity Plan focuses on building connected and cohesive communities with trust in institutions and each other. Our Corporate Volunteering programmes contribute to this by:
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| 4. Tackling Inequality Across the City |
| Bristol is a city of contrasts: while many people thrive, others face entrenched inequality, particularly in education and access to opportunity. For example, in South Bristol, only 22% of young people progress to higher education, well below the city average. Ablaze’s programmes help to address these inequalities. By focusing on literacy, confidence, and employability, our programmes help to raise aspiration, attainment, and skill levels among disadvantaged young people. |
| 5. Supporting the One City Approach Through Partnership |
| The OneCity Plan emphasises that Bristol’s progress depends on strong partnerships across businesses, communities, and the voluntary sector. By linking schools with business volunteers, Ablaze helps to build and strengthen these partnerships. |
Our work is well aligned with the OneCity Plan. Our programmes help to strengthen educational outcomes, promote equity, build social capital, and support a fairer economy—all central priorities of the city’s shared vision for 2050. By continuing to forge partnerships between businesses, schools, and communities, Ablaze actively contributes to the Plan’s collaborative, mission‑led approach. In many respects, Ablaze is already delivering the kind of initiatives that the One City Plan identifies as essential to Bristol’s future.
If you would like to find out more about Ablaze’s programmes, or about how volunteering can help your business, get in touch with us at enquiries@ablazebristol.org.