Factory Talks

Our INSPIRE Talks invite you into the world of inspirational makers to find out more about their journeys, motivations and processes.

INSPIRE Talks take place each month, and the format is usually of a live talk or discussion followed by a question and answer session (Q and A).

Since March 2020, we have moved these talks online as a result of social distancing rules. Although we can’t be together in person, we very much encourage the shared drinking of tea and use of the chat function within the talk to ask questions and share ideas!

After you have registered for a talk you will receive an e-mail with a link to watch the talk and instructions about how to join in the chat if you’d like to. If you require any support in using the online talk technology, please let us know.

For more information please e-mail thefactory@kwmc.org.uk

Previous Talks

Tales of Care and Repair: Building Repair Centred Neighbourhoods – 6th October 2021

KWMC The Factory have partnered with Repair Acts (UWE) to bring together community members and local residents to share their knowledge and experience of repairing objects, from cars to clothes and furniture to footwear. Here Therese Dillon of Repair Acts talks about this international project to celebrate repair culture and how it relates to Knowle West.

Watch the talk here:

Content Confusion with Amy Morse – 15th April 2021

With so many different options and new platforms popping up all the time, the ever-changing world of digital marketing can be overwhelming. Where do you focus your attention? How do you get the best return on your investment? You can’t possibly master all of the different content marketing platforms effectively and still have time to run your actual business! In this talk and Q&A Session, Enterprise Mentor and Writer, Amy Morse, cuts through the hype to help you decide where to put your energies. We’ll compare and contrast the different Social Media and Content Marketing options so you can make the best use of your time and energy to grow your business.

Watch the talk here:

Making the Difference: Filwood Fantastic Mini Golf, 2nd September 2020

Continuing our  Making the Difference strand of talks, which focus on making as a tool of social change, we met up with local artist and general fun-maker Megan Clark-Bagnall as we explore her work on the Filwood Fantastic Mini Golf Club project which tee’d off during lockdown. As designated ClubHouse Manager, Meg has brought together a community of modern families, who have been working on creating their own mini golf holes inside their homes, sharing skills and celebrating the community of Filwood and Knowle West. Megan is joined by local carpenter Nic Marshall who has been tasked by re:work to create a real-life, full-sized mini golf course in the heart of Filwood Broadway. Nic will also be sharing how you can get involved in this construction.

Watch the talk here:

Making the Difference: Human and Community Centred Design, Wednesday 29th July 2020

We hear from collaborative designer and all-round sustainability hero Lisa Cole about her locally-focused project Show Some Love designed to tackle waste on Stapleton Road by inspiring local pride, and from conceptual artist and lifelong proud Bristolian Claudia Collins about her latest lockdown projects ‘Knowle West beaches’ and ‘Kindness rocks’, aimed at bringing creativity and community spirit to her local streets in a time of uncertainty and isolation.

Watch the talk here:

Making the Difference: Coronavirus Response, Wednesday 3 June 2020

In the first of our new Making the Difference strand of talks (which explore making as a tool of social change), join us in conversation with Hack the Pandemic, Airway Medical and independent face shield producer Jo Symmons.

Together we’ll explore how they went from their day jobs to mobilising armies of volunteers and producing industrial quantities of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and healthcare products from garages, gardens and village halls around Bristol and Bath.

Watch the talk here:

Image Josh Forwood for Hack the Pandemic

PositiveNegativePositive – Wednesday 8th April 2020

Walter Jack Studio, May 2020: join Factory Technician Fiona in conversation with Walter and Paul of Walter Jack Studio, discussing the forthcoming 2D design and public art programme PositiveNegativePositive.

Watch the talk here:

Image: Ibolya Feher