Each week Bristol Business News gives a prominent member of the city’s business community the last word on its weekly e-bulletin.
This week Emma Grant, an arts and filmmaking consultant at Milestones Trust – a Bristol-based charity that supports people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and dementia – answers our 10 questions.
What was the LAST: 
Film you watched? The last film I watched was made with a service user of Milestones Trust – called Basil’s Shed. It was the finale film of Milestones Trust’s Expressions Film Festival, held recently at Watershed in Bristol. The festival showcased work created by Milestones service users and aimed to celebrate the lives and creativity of adults who are at risk of social exclusion. Basil’s Shed was shot with the help of care staff in the home where Basil is a resident. The film is about his shed that they have had put in especially for him – a place where he can go, tend to his plants and have some space of his own, away from the main house.
Book you read? I always have four or five books on the go at any one time! One of the last I finished reading was Why Grow Up? by philosopher Susan Neiman which looks at what it means to be ‘grown up’, how our political system infantilises us, and how as grown-ups we should accept the world as imperfect and seek ways to improve it, rather than remaining in a permanent state of adolescence and distraction. Lots of interesting points and exploration of Kant and Rousseau, a very accessible philosophy book!
Music you bought/downloaded? I’ve been listening to Philip Glass a lot recently. I really love the power and emotion that his compositions stir up. I’ve also seen lots of short films that use his music as a sound track – classical music lends itself so beautifully to film. This is something I’d really like to work on with my participants, using music to create powerful films and to tell the story.
Concert or play you went to? It was a month or two ago now but it was at The Wardrobe theatre. I went to see the The Beanfield. The production was about the infamous Battle of the Beanfield in the 80s, using film and live performance. It worked really well.
Sporting event you attended? I’m really not into sport. I honestly think the last event I went to was a T20 cricket match in Taunton about five years ago. It was for my partner’s birthday so I was obliged.
Holiday you went on? We have a camper van so we go away on lots of ‘micro holidays’ (as we like to call them). We are both self-employed so taking a week or two off is hard for us but a night or two in Devon or The Cotswolds is something we try to do at least once a month. The last trip was to Volksfest - lots of cool vehicles, graffiti and good times.
Restaurant you ate in? The last meal I had out was at The Riverstation on the harbour, right after the film festival – a well-deserved break from cooking! I have a three-year-old son so there was lots of pre-dinner entertainment – guessing what colour the next boat along the river might be!
Thing that annoyed you? So much June and July rain! I have been appreciating the warm and wet climate from my garden’s point of view, everything is growing so well, but it would be nice to have a few more breaks for the odd beach trip or picnic!
Thing that made you laugh out loud? The Dogfather – one of the films that screened at the Expressions Film Festival. A hilarious take on a famous film created by a very talented young lady that I’ve been lucky enough to work with. It was so great to hear the hearty laughing of the audience at the film festival.
Piece of advice you were given? I have been getting into those Yogi teas and I love those little bits of insight they put on the labels! The one I stuck on my cupboard door last week was: “The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment.” I’m always trying to live in ‘the now’ and feel how great life is despite the ups and downs, it’s so magical that we’re here. I’m trying to keep that with me at all times and enjoy all the little moments.
Emma Grant is an arts and filmmaking facilitator working with vulnerable adults and people at risk of social exclusion in and around the Bristol area, including within Milestones Trust, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Emma studied a degree in anthropology and media at Goldsmiths College before eventually making her way to Bristol in 2008. With a passion for ‘ordinary’ stories and an interest in people and communities Emma feels lucky to spend her days working with a wide range of people on creative projects to inspire each other and promote social change.
