We are in the middle of the Staple Hill shops, and although our entrance is only small our building is huge - people often call it a 'tardis'!

If you know where Greggs is then we're just a few doors up from there.

Parking

On a Sunday and after 6pm you can park on the road or in the car parks for free and for unlimited time (except the car park directly behind our building which is free for the first hour only).  

Monday - Saturday (8am - 6pm) you can park right outside on Broad Street, for free (although there is a limit of 2 hours).  You can park for free, all day, in the roads around the main street. There are several paying car parks very close, please check the signs. The car park directly behind our building is free for one hour, after this you need to pay on an app.  

Buses

We are on a major bus route with bus stops right outside - numbers 7 and 49.

What3words

Front Door: drop.turns.buyers

Christmas on the Hill

Saturday 29th November 10am – 2pm (and in the square at 4pm)

The yearly event in Staple Hill – our building will be open from 10am to 2pm for hot drinks, homemade cakes and bacon rolls, plus plenty of free Christmas crafts for the whole family to join in.  Our band will also support the lighting of the Christmas tree in Fountain Square at 4pm.

Christmas Messy Church

Sunday 30th November 4pm - 6pm

A different opportunity to worship - great for families to explore the Christmas story using crafts, activities, creativity and lots of fun and noise!  A cooked dinner is also available.  No charge, but donations are always gratefully received.

Light Up a Life Concert

Friday 5th December 7pm – 9pm (tickets £5)

A concert featuring Staple Hill Salvation Army Band and St Peter’s Hospice Choir.  A chance to celebrate Christmas, sing carols and remember a loved one.

Family Carol Service

Sunday 7th December 10am - 11.15am

A carol service suitable for the whole family, led by the young people of our church.

Carol Service on Thursday

Thursday 11th December 11.15am – 12pm

An opportunity to sing carols and hear the Christmas story on a Thursday morning – everyone welcome – coffee and tea served from 10am.

Toy Service

Sunday 14th December 10am – 11.15am

During our usual Sunday morning All Age Worship, we will welcome donations of brand new toys & gifts for our Christmas Appeal – wearing of Christmas jumpers encouraged!

Community Carol Service

Sunday 21st December 5pm – 6.15pm

Our main carol service of the year for the whole community.  Plenty of opportunity to sing carols and think about the real meaning of Christmas: with our Band, Songsters and Children's music groups. A collection for our ongoing work will be taken during this event. Everyone welcome!

Christmas Eve Carols in the Square 

5pm – 6pm

Our famous gathering in Fountain Square (outside Iceland) with the band and a noisy retelling of the Christmas story.  Wrap up warm and bring the whole family (and a torch!) before you go home to bed and wait for Santa!

Christmas Day Worship 11am – 12pm

A relaxed worship meeting on the day itself - everyone welcome

Every Sunday morning 10am – 11.15am

Throughout December (and all year) you are welcome to join us for our All Age Worship every Sunday morning.

You will also see our band in various places throughout December.

If you're interested in our Christmas Appeal, or our Christmas Day meal then please see the section 'Be a Star'.

We have a number of different worship opportunities at The Salvation Army Staple Hill.  They vary in style, location and time, but they are all ready to welcome you!  Take your pick from below:

Sunday Morning All Age Worship Every Sunday 10am - 11.15am

An inclusive meeting for all ages, including singing, music, Bible reading, prayer, talks and sermon etc.  We always include an offering which funds our weekly expenses.  There are usually parts of the meeting designed for children, although most adults enjoy this just as much!  You can sit anywhere, wear what you like and come as often as you like - everyone is welcome!

Children's Church Sunday 11.30am - 12.15pm

Children's church is for children aged 3 to 11 years old.  This is a time for children to learn more about God and the Bible.  An opportunity to sing, draw, make things, play games, chat and have fun.  There is no formal charge, but donations are helpful to fund the activities.

Youth Group Sunday 11.30am - 12.15pm

Our youth group is for those in secondary school and older.  It's an opportunity to explore the Bible and what is means to be a Christian.  The youth group is much more than just a Sunday meet-up, they enjoy regular residential trips, take part in special events, trips and musical activities.  There is no formal charge, but donations are helpful to fund the activities.

Messy Church Sunday 4pm - 6pm (monthly)

Messy Church is a different form of worship for both children and adults that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality.  We hold these once a month and they offer a great time of fun, learning, games and craft, plus a meal for the whole family.  If you're not used to formal worship services this could be for you, bring the whole family along!  There is no charge, but donations are helpful to fund the activities.

Thursday Church Thursday 11.15am - 12pm (monthly)

An opportunity to worship on a Thursday morning including singing, prayer and a short Bible message – everyone welcome.  From 10am coffee and tea are served.

Page Park Praise Sunday 3pm - 4pm (monthly from May to September)

During the summer we take worship to Page Park - as long as it doesn't rain!  Based around the bandstand, you can join in with the singing if you want to and a short Bible message is given.  We also have a gazebo with free children's activities.  Bring a picnic and join us! 

Sunday

10.00am - 11.15am All Age Worship followed by coffee

11.30am - 12.15pm Children's Church For ages 3 to 11 years old

11.30am - 12.15pm Youth Group - For ages 11 years +

3pm - 4pm Page Park Praise (monthly May-Sept - please check dates)

4pm - 6pm Messy Church (monthly - please check dates)

Monday

8pm - 9.30pm CAMEO Craft Group (monthly - last Monday of month)

Tuesday

10am - 2pm Open Doors (anyone welcome to drop-in) (home-made soup at 12.30pm)

9.30am - 2.30pm Employment Plus (help for those looking for employment) (booking essential)

10am - 11am Fitness Club suitable for all abilities

11am - 12pm Extra Slice Group (in our building) (Coffee from 10.30am)

6:30pm - 7.10pm Young People's Band rehearsal (weekly)

7.20pm - 8pm Singing Company rehearsal (Junior Choir) (weekly)

8pm to 10pm - Senior Band rehearsal (Fortnightly)

8pm - 9.30pm Songsters rehearsal (Senior Choir) (Fortnightly)

Wednesday

9:30am - 11am Tots on the Hill (toddler group) (Term time only) (waiting list in place)

3.30pm - 4.30pm Extra Slice Group (online)

8pm - 9pm Extra Slice Group (Linda's house)

8.15pm - 9.15pm Extra Slice Group (online)

Thursday

10am - 12pm Open Doors (anyone welcome to drop in)

11.15am - 12pm Thursday Church (monthly)

11.15am - 12pm Extra Slice Group in our building (weeks when Thursday church is not on)

12.30pm Lunch Club (booking required)

8pm - 9pm Extra Slice Group (Colin & Nicola's house)

8pm - 9pm Extra Slice Group (Bev & Jon's house)

8.15pm - 9.15pm Extra Slice Group (online)

Friday

Morning Slimming World groups

10am - 12.00pm Open Doors (anyone welcome to drop-in)

Saturday

10am - 12pm Coffee Morning (monthly - please check dates)

The Salvation Army provides a range of services to support families, young people and children from all backgrounds, ages and walks of life to develop and grow their own personal relationships with each other and with God. We are blessed to have a number of children in our church.

Children's Church: Sundays 11.30am - 12.15pm (for ages 3 to 11 years old)

This is a time for children to learn more about God and the Bible.  An opportunity to sing, draw, make things, play games, chat and have fun.  There is no formal charge, but donations are helpful to fund the activities.  The children also take part in special events including occasional parties and trips and participate in musical groups.

Messy Church: Monthly Sundays 4pm - 6pm

Messy Church is a different form of worship for both children and adults that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality.  We hold these once a month and they offer a great time of fun, learning, games and craft, plus a meal for the whole family.  If you're not used to formal worship services this could be for you, bring the whole family along!  There is no charge, but donations are helpful to fund the activities.

Tots on the Hill: Wednesdays 9.30am - 11am

A friendly group for babies and toddlers and their parent/carer featuring song, story, play and snack time.  This group is part of our Church outreach and includes Christian rhymes, songs and stories.  There is a charge of £3 per session. (Please contact us for more information as this group often has a waiting list.)

Musical Groups: Tuesdays 6.30pm - 8pm

Any young person who attends our church is welcome to join one or both of our two musical groups, their rehearsals are on Tuesdays.  These groups: Singing Company (children's choir) and Young People's Band, provide worship music in our Sunday All Age Worship and also take part in other special events.  During the rehearsals, parents are welcome to grab a coffee and wait in the foyer.  

We want young people to feel valued, to understand their significance, skills and talents and to give them a voice among their families, friends, where they live and in their future.  A number of young people are a part of our church.

Youth Group: Sundays 11.30am - 12.15pm

Our youth group is for those in secondary school and older.  It's an opportunity to explore the Bible and what is means to be a Christian.  The youth group is much more than just a Sunday meet-up, they enjoy regular residential trips, take part in special events, trips and musical activities.

Students

Students are very welcome at The Salvation Army Staple Hill.  Please contact us if you need a lift and we can also arrange for Sunday dinner if you would like it.

Musical Activities

Many of the young people who attend our church are involved in our musical sections.  This includes our Singing Company, Young People's Band, Songsters, Band and Worship Band.  Most rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings.  

Our Extra Slice groups are an essential way to get to know each other and grow as Christians.  In church it can be easy to get lost in the crowd and these groups provide an opportunity to build relationships, study the Bible, apply it to our lives, support each other and pray.  For those who find it difficult to make an in-person meeting, we also offer online groups.  We have groups at various times and in various places so the choice is yours.  Please ask if you want more information about these groups.

Music is a central part of The Salvation Army in Staple Hill and it plays an essential role in our worship and outreach.  We have 5 different groups for music making:

Young People's Band & Singing Company

Any young person who attends our church is welcome to join our Young People's Band or Singing Company (children's choir).  They rehearse on Tuesday evenings, take part on Sunday mornings and provide music at other special events.

Songsters, Band & Worship Band

Our Songsters (adult choir) and Band meet on alternate Tuesday evenings to rehearse and are an integral part of our worship on Sundays.  They also provide music at numerous special events throughout the year, both in our building and in the local community. We also have a worship band consisting of keyboard, guitars and singers that meets periodically to practice.

The Salvation Army is in the centre of the Staple Hill Community and provide a regular programme of community activities as well as responding to need as it arises.  Here's a flavour of what we do:

Open Doors: 

Tuesdays 10am - 2pm

Thursday 10am - 12pm

Fridays 10am - 12pm

Anyone is welcome to pop-in for coffee, tea and cake or just a friendly chat.  Pay what you can afford.  If you come at 12.30pm on Tuesday there is homemade soup available too!

Employment Plus: Tuesdays

Employment Plus is a service run by The Salvation Army and offers tailored support aiming to help job seekers to get a job and stay in work. We empower individuals to overcome obstacles they face professionally and personally, and to fulfil their life ambitions. If you want to know more or make an appointment please contact Tyrone: email tyrone.simpson@salvationarmy.org.uk or phone 07548 313 767.

Tots on the Hill: Wednesdays 9.30am - 11am

A friendly group for babies and toddlers and their parent/carer featuring song, story, play and snack time.  This group is part of our Church outreach and includes Christian rhymes, songs and stories.  There is a charge of £3 per session. (Please contact us for more information as this groups often has a waiting list)

Lunch Club: Thursdays 12.30-1.30pm

Our weekly lunch club for the over 60s provides a main course, dessert and tea or coffee for £5.  If you are interested in joining us then just ask or give us a call to book a place.

Emergency Food Store Thursdays 10am - 12pm

We are open on Thursday morning to provide basic food parcels for people in need.  Everyone is welcome, ID is not required, but we do ask you to fill in a short form for our records.

Coffee mornings Saturdays 10am - 12pm (monthly)

About once a month we organise a coffee morning to raise money for different projects, please keep an eye open for the next one. Homemade cake, hot drinks and sometimes even a bacon roll!

We are unable to accept any items of clothing, bedding or furniture at our building in Broad Street.  There are a number of Charity shops in Staple Hill who will be glad to take your donations.

If you particularly want to donate your items to The Salvation Army then the nearest Charity Shop is in Kingswood: 387 Two Mile Hill Road, BS15 1AD, 0117 9616129.  (Please note they do not accept furniture).  There is also a clothing bank in the public carpark near Tesco, Staple Hill.

The Salvation Army has a larger Donation Centre in Filton that accepts clothing, homeware, books, toys, etc and also furniture: Unit 1, 31-39 Gloucester Road North, BS7 0SH.  Email address: bristol.DC@satcol.org
Phone: 01173 636404.  They are also able to collect.

Thank you for supporting the Salvation Army in this way.

Each year we organise a Christmas Present Appeal which aims to bring joy to the lives of people who would otherwise have little or nothing under the tree on Christmas morning.  We work with Social Services and other agencies to ensure we help those that need it most.

We also host Christmas day in our building, for individuals who would otherwise be alone on this special day.  We provide them with a traditional Christmas dinner, a family atmosphere with seasonal entertainment and a food hamper and gift to take home, this is all free of charge.  

During Christmas 2024: 

• over 2000 people throughout South Gloucestershire and Bristol received gifts from The Salvation Army
• 100 people shared Christmas Day together at Staple Hill Salvation Army

All this is only possible due to volunteers and the generous donations of money and gifts we receive from the public, so if you can help in any way we would be very grateful.  Please find more details below:

As you do your Christmas shopping maybe you could buy an extra gift.  Gifts can be anything you choose.    We are looking for gifts for children aged 0 to 18 years and gifts for adults on Christmas Day.  All gifts need to be brand new and unwrapped, please.  We are often short of gifts for children over 10 so if you were able to provide these that would be much appreciated. 

The gifts need to be at The Salvation Army Staple Hill by Sunday 14th December, ready to sort and distribute before Christmas Day.

On behalf of the families we represent, thank you so much for your generosity - if you need any further information please don't hesitate to ask.

If you would like to donate money that we can then use to fund our Christmas gifts and Christmas day here are the different ways you can do that:

• make a donation using the 'donate now' box further down this page
• pop into our centre on Broad Street with cash/ cheque or bring your card
• post a cheque to us - The Salvation Army, 21 Broad Street, Bristol BS16 5LN
• cheques made payable to 'The Salvation Army'
• donate when you see our band out and about
• Use the QR code below

Thank you!

0-2 years

Shape sorters, interactive play mats, cot mobiles, mega blocks, dolls, cars, fabric/board books.

3-5 years

Imaginative play toys, cars, dolls, duplo sets, board games, jigsaws, crayon sets, playdough, books.

5-7 years

Lego & construction sets, board games, art & craft sets, jigsaws, books.

7-9 years

Lego & construction kits, magic kits, science kits, board games, art & craft sets, jigsaws, books.

10-13 years

Construction kits, science/magic kits, art/craft sets, board games, stationery, footballs, books.

14-18 years

Art, craft & stationery sets, nail varnish sets, hairdryers, jewellery boxes, jewellery, watches, board games, footballs, books, adult colouring books with pens/pencils, comfy throws.

Adults

Toiletry sets for men and women, jewellery boxes, jewellery, watches, adult colouring books

Please avoid:

• 2nd hand items
• Anything that needs batteries/wifi/phone/computer
• DVDs or CDs
• Anything that contains food
• Candles

Thank you!

If you have contact with any families who are struggling this Christmas, we may be able to provide you with gifts.  If the family has links with social services, then they will already be receiving from us through them.  But for other families and individuals, please get in touch to find out more.

If you attended our Christmas Day activities last year, then you will receive an invitation early in November, please return it as soon as possible. In 2024 we were oversubscribed, but if you haven’t attended before, then get in touch to see if we have space. 

Before Tuesday 25th November:

We are open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday 10am - 12pm

From Tuesday 25th November to Christmas Eve:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday 10am - 12pm

Also during ‘Christmas on the Hill’ Saturday 29th November 10am – 2pm