I’d accepted that, although Bristol Saint may continue, it was never going to get back to the level it was pre-covid. I wanted to stay in the sustainable fashion field but find something different to focus on that wasn’t my own business for a change!

Enter… Sparks Bristol.

I saw on social media, a new ‘Sustainability Hub and Department Store’ had opened in the old Marks & Spencers building in Broadmead, Bristol. It was a collaboration between Artspace Lifespace, Global Goals Centre and Invisible Circus. It looked amazing, innovative and right up my street! On their website it said there were volunteering opportunities, so I signed up to see what it was all about.

I asked to be in the fashion department for my first volunteer shift. It was really interesting to see the mix of different small makers, vintage businesses, organisations and charities that had come together to create an exciting and dynamic sustainable fashion section. It was inspiring to see such dedication and determination from all the traders to make Sparks the best it could be. The passion they all had reminded me of myself when I first started my business, but instead of working for hours alone at a computer screen with no one to bounce ideas off of, it was a completely collaborative effort.

Over the next few months, Sparks as a whole would change and evolve like a living organism; old businesses leaving, new businesses coming on board, but constantly shifting to ultimately, make it better and better.