We The Curious will share their experience of the first 6 months since re-opening after substantial damage from a fire in April 2022.

The team behind the beloved Bristol landmark worked tirelessly for two years to be able to welcome visitors back, including going out and about in the city visiting schools, festivals, community centres, and more to deliver over 270 free activities reaching more than 37,000 people.

The science centre re-opened with its newest experience which launched just months before closure – Project What If. Inspired by seven intriguing questions from the people of Bristol – from the science of happiness to the nature of time – the experience explores some of life’s biggest mysteries in fun and interactive ways.

Audience Director, Nicole Briggs, and Commercial Operations Director, Lydia Ladbrooke, will share how the first 6 months have gone for visitors, staff and volunteers. From the city-wide consultation that led to the ambitious rebrand in 2017 to Project What If, the first exhibition of its kind developed around the curious questions of Bristol, We The Curious is committed to working collaboratively with underrepresented audiences.

More recently, this focus on partnership and collaboration has seen the charity through a challenging two-year period of venue closure, following a fire on the roof of its building. The organisation responded with a programme of activity across the city’s community spaces, to reopen in July 2024 with a sell-out summer and a renewed sense of community connection.

After the talks, there will be a chance to visit the science centre.

Your itinerary for the afternoon:

• 1pm: Meet SWFed trustees in the foyer
• 1.15pm: Talk from We The Curious staff
• 2.30pm: Networking and time to visit We The Curious
• 4pm: Event closes

Tickets:
Member: £18
Concession/Student/Unemployed: £13

Speaker Bios:

Nicole Briggs, is the Audience Director at We The Curious. Through her leadership of the marketing and inclusion teams, Nicole guides the charity’s strategic mission to create visitor-led programmes, spaces, and experiences. With 15 years of marketing experience, she is responsible for delivering adaptive strategies which centre insights and long-term partnerships to broaden visiting audiences and respond to Bristol’s changing needs. She is passionate about how cultural spaces can celebrate and be led by their communities to create more inclusive and relevant experiences for everyone.

Lydia Ladbrooke joined We The Curious in 2000 and is responsible for the commercial success as well as the smooth and safe operation of We The Curious. She is passionate about the organisational mission and is focused on providing organisational resilience, whilst also ensuring that every decision made is across all pledges and values. The last few years have been a huge challenge, but seeing We The Curious open and creating amazing experiences is the most incredible motivation to keep going, keep learning and always striving to do better

Photos courtesty of Lisa Whiting Photography