The Joshua Trust was set up informally many years ago as a vehicle to promote the amazing transformation that a major tourist attraction, based on Hengrove Park in South Bristol, could have on the lives on those people living in South Bristol.

The difference between the North and South side of the city in terms of wealth, health and local facilities is considerable, with deprivation levels in the South being among the highest in the UK.

A major tourist attraction based in the middle of such deprivation would have the ability to reduce this disparity. Joshua Trust was set up to promote this vision and to take it from possibility to probability to a finished, functioning, exciting and profitable facility benefiting all who are involved.

As a Christian charity, we are particularly keen to see certain concepts as part of this project:

1. Jobs for those who otherwise would not find employment.
2. Levels of pay (or schemes) which provide a way out of state dependency and lead to greater self-esteem and satisfaction.
3. Training to support the job opportunities so that people can progress.
4. A percentage of profits returned to the community through this Christian Charity.

Humberts Leisure ran a feasibility study on the proposed project and found that such a proposal was not only viable, but could generate some 3,000 new jobs.

This would also open the landscape to Churches and other Christian organisations being involved beyond their own immediate area of interest and provide many opportunities for contributing to the well-being and growth in the lives of the people in South Bristol.

There are a large number of marginalised people in the area and having a constant stream of revenue for outreach projects could make a significant difference to their lives through projects which would be set up in the community.