Watershed’s Big Give Christmas Challenge

Between Tue 2 and Tue 9 December, every pound you donate to Watershed will be doubled – at no extra cost to you.

Donate at Big Give to double your donation now.

Donate now

In a world more divided than ever, the power of community has never been more vital.

For more than 40 years, Watershed has connected community and nurtured talent as an independent, creative home for Bristol.

However we are facing challenging times. Rising costs and funding cuts mean that we need your help to continue to provide artists and audiences with a place to gather, work and showcase creativity.

Together, we can build community through culture.

temop — Deaf Conversations About Cinema in the café & bar

Why your support matters

Your donations will help us:

Amplify Diverse Voices and Stories: Share 3,500 screenings each year that spark conversation and celebrate creativity, diversity and new perspectives.
Provide A Welcoming Space: For the 400,000 people who visit Watershed each year.
Champion Access & Inclusion: Providing captioned, relaxed audio-described screenings, hosting BSL-interpreted and sensory-friendly events, working with Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent communities.
Back Bristol’s Creatives: Supporting over 200 residents at the Pervasive Media Studio, providing mentorship, funding and peer support for emerging talent.
Deliver Culture that Cares for the Environment: Underpinning all our work is our commitment to minimise our environmental impact.

Help us to unlock more funding

The first £7,500 donated between 2-9 December will be matched pound-for-pound, helping us reach our target of £15,000. Donations will only be doubled during the Big Give week. Your generosity goes twice as far – but only while the match pot lasts.

Maximise your support for participating charities

The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest match-funding campaign. For one week only, donations to participating charities are doubled by Champion Funders, philanthropists and foundations. Learn more at Big Give.

How the match funding works

A generous group of supporters pledged £3,750 earlier this year, and Big Give Champion funders, Reed Educational Trust, added another £3,750 to the pot. The gives us a match pot of £7,500. This is used to double donations made during campaign week while pot funds last.

Make a difference even if we don’t reach the target

All funds raised will still go toward helping Watershed remain an inclusive, accessible and welcoming space for the community.

You can still donate if the match funding runs out

Every donation helps us deliver our work, even if it can’t be doubled.

Donations are eligible for Gift Aid

If you are a UK taxpayer, your donation through The Big Give platform can be increased by 25% at no extra cost.

Double your gift between 2-9 December

You can visit our campaign page when it goes live between 2 - 9 December. You must make your donation during this time, through the campaign page in order to have your gift doubled.