My Future My Choice

 

Community Rooms Afloat - The MV Balmoral

 

 

This working historic ship is moored in Bristol's Harbour under the cargo cranes. Its lounges, saloon, and decks are used for learning activities for schools and public.


The MV Balmoral Community Rooms -Afloat

  • Community partnerships and engagement 
  • Learning for all ages - schools and families 
  • Cultural, maritime and industrial heritage
  • Community engagement
  • Inter-generational - purposeful practical and social activities for elders and the young
  • Unique location - creating vitality and divesity in the Harbourside 
  • Working with volunteers from business and industry 
  • Travel Initiatives for community groups and schools 

Community Projects 

Facilitated by our staff and the ship's crew and volunteers from business and industry. Click on the project title to find out more. 

Home - Artists Collective with Caribbean Heritage. Exhibition, spoken word food and more.

27th March - 3rd of May - Part of  Diaspora 2026 Festival events  - 

Exhibition opens 27th February at 5pm - 7pm Music and spoken word. 

28th February - 12noon -5pm exhibition open - Food and music to follow 

31st March - Closing event details to follow 


'Lady Nade and Friends' A gathering of singer songwriters on the last Friday of the month. Next event 27th March - Incorporating spoken word from the exhibition 'Home' a Caribbean artists collective 

 

Lady Nade and the House Band host musicians from around the world in. All welcome, free entry.

  • Want to perform with the House Band Contact Lady Nade via her socials
  • Singer songwriters helping everyone to understand life better 
  • Promoting mental health and wellbeing

    • Windrush Pioneers Project.  Engineering, Drama,  Poetry, History and PHSE

    For ages 8 to12 and families. 30 Max one day
    • Explore our historic  passenger vessel (The Peoples Liner)
    • Suspend disbelief, turning the ship into the Empire Windrush
    • Understanding migration and post colonial society
    • Poetry workshops with poets sharing their stories of migration
    • History with Elders from the Windrush Generation 
    • Work with Ex-Merchant Navy Sailors to operate a Derrick Rig Crane
    • Work with engineers to explore maths, computers and lifting technologies 
    • The day ends with a class performance, reading and winching poetry from the ships hold onto the quayside
    • Special events for families to join weekend celebrations on the ship with food, music and young people's poetry and performance
    Listen to the 'MV Balmoral Windrush Event' Podcast from Ujima Radio Broadcaster Roger Griffith OBE https://bit.ly/MFMCpodcast
      

    Shipping 2050 - Engineering and Science.

    For ages 13 - and over. Max 30. One day plus follow-up in schools

    • Explore issues for global shipping
    • Explore the MV Balmoral inside and out to find out how ships are built and work
    • Work as a small team mentored by engineers and maritime architects to design and present a model of a concept ship for the future
    • Exhibit designs at the Bristol Harbour Festival in July

     

    Build a Ship-on-a-Ship - Heritage, Science and family fun

    For ages 8 to 12 and families. Max 40 one day. Max 30 half day

    • Explore the ship and the local environment, shipyards and locks
    • Work in small teams to build a model of one of these iconic boats
    • The Balmoral 
    • SS Great Britain 
    • Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 
    • Tudor Caravel - Like The Matthew 
    Incorporate ferry boat and walking tours
    Model Sail Boats will race in the Bristol Harbour Festival Boat Race at the end of July 

     

    Cranes- Engineering, Science, History and Robotics

    Programmes for Ages 8 to 12 and 12 to 14 and families . Max 30 a day 

    • Operate the historic cargo cranes standing above the MV Balmoral
    • Build your own robotic arm onboard 
    • Compete as a team to see who can improve the operation of their robotic arm

     

    Rocket Rescue Adventure - History, Science and Teamwork

    Ages 8 to 12 and families Max 30 a day 

    • History of marine rescue from Rocket Brigades to Helicopters 
    • Operate the historic cargo cranes standing above the MV Balmoral
    • Team challenges to work as rocket brigades to rescue stranded crews
    • Teams use pneumatic rocket launchers to secure a pulley system from ship to shore to recreate the engineering and coordination needed to save live
    • Understanding post colonial society and migration using drama and poetry
     

    Catch the Train To My Future - Schools and Families Travel Initiative

    For families and schools

    • Rail and Ferryboat travel
    • Staff training and risk assessment for community groups and schools to make better use of the rail network 
    • Curriculum development with Heritage England Education integrating learning into travel
    • Links to activity in the Historic Harbour and the Bristol Port Company Docks
    • Links with businesses in city centre and cultural venues

    Science Cafe  - Public engagement in science topics impacting on people and communities

    • First Tuesday of every month  - 7pm Free entry 
    • Friendly discussion 

     

    Music House Band Hostings   - Community music initiative 

    • lady Nade Hosting friends and local and international talent 
    • Apply to perform with the House Band  
    • Singer songwriters helping everyone to understand life better 
    • Promoting mental health and wellbeing 

    9. Urban Sketchers and Drink and Draw 

    • Art groups- social and practical activities  

     10. Art Gallery and Exhibitions 

    • Rolling programme of exhibitions 
    • museum displays
    • paintings 
    • sculpture  
    • photography   

     

    To book

    • Contact us to discuss the way in which you want to use the community rooms afloat, and set up a visit
    • Activites are often sponsored by businesses or Trust funds so they are affordable 


    The Community Rooms Afloat 

    • Safe working environment in a unique location
    • Innovative projects tailored to suit you
    • Multiple adaptable spaces and breakout rooms for your own ideas
    • Catering can be provided 
    • Friendly knowledgeable staff  
    • Teams of volunteers who work in sectors specific to your interests 
    • Fun and laughter