Can art change lives?
In Bristol, it’s already happening — one spray can at a time. This May, a new street art festival will turn shipping containers into symbols of hope, housing, and community revival.
A New Festival With a Powerful Mission
The shipping container homes on Spring Street in Bedminster are about to get a vivid makeover, as some of Bristol’s most iconic street artists gather for the city’s first-ever Help Bristol’s Homeless Paint Fest. Held on May 10 and 11, 2025, the event is not just a celebration of art — it’s a movement for meaningful change.
The free two-day festival invites locals and visitors alike to watch live mural painting by over a dozen top UK street artists, transforming the site’s converted shipping containers — which serve as temporary housing for homeless individuals — into colourful, inspiring works of art.
This isn’t art for art’s sake. It’s art with a purpose: raising awareness, fostering inclusion, and generating donations for Help Bristol’s Homeless (HBH), the grassroots charity behind the container housing project.
Artistry Meets Advocacy
Among the featured artists are household names in the UK graffiti scene, including:
- Andy Council, known for his dinosaur-meets-architecture mashups
- Inkie, a legendary figure in British street art and one of Banksy’s early collaborators
- Pekoe, whose work brings bold, illustrative styles to urban spaces
Throughout the weekend, these artists will be painting live across the site, accompanied by a festival-style atmosphere with local DJs, food stalls, and creative workshops. Visitors can secure free tickets on Eventbrite, although donations to HBH are warmly encouraged.
The Bigger Picture: What Help Bristol’s Homeless Does
The containers being painted aren’t just canvases — they’re homes. Since its founding in 2016 by Jasper Thompson, a former Royal Navy veteran and social entrepreneur, Help Bristol’s Homeless has converted shipping containers into fully functional micro-homes complete with kitchens, bathrooms, and heating.
To date, the charity has housed over 500 individuals, with 288 successfully transitioning to independent living. Residents are supported with job placements, counselling, and community reintegration schemes — all without government funding.
“This is more than just art; it’s about transforming lives and spaces,”
says Jasper Thompson, founder of Help Bristol’s Homeless.
“By bringing together creativity and community, we’re highlighting the potential for change and hope.”
Paint Fest, he says, is both a fundraiser and a visual celebration of what’s possible when the city comes together to support its most vulnerable residents.
Community, Culture, and Colour
Bedminster is no stranger to street art. It’s home to the world-famous Upfest, Europe’s largest street art festival. But Paint Fest brings a different kind of intimacy — smaller in scale, but rooted deeply in community and care.
The event is designed not only to raise funds, but to start conversations. How can public spaces be repurposed for good? What does dignified housing look like in a housing crisis? And how can street art — often seen as rebellious or fleeting — be used as a long-lasting statement of resilience?
“Art has always told the stories of our cities,” says Inkie, one of the participating artists.
“Now we’re telling the story of people getting back on their feet — and that deserves the brightest colours we’ve got.”
Support and Participation
The festival is being supported by a mix of local businesses, volunteers, and arts organisations, all working in tandem to create an event that is inclusive, impactful, and unmissable. It’s a chance to celebrate Bristol’s vibrant cultural identity while tackling some of its most pressing social challenges.
Visitors can enjoy:
- Live mural painting on container homes
- Food and drink from local vendors
- Live music and DJ sets
- Art workshops for all ages
- Insight into the mission of Help Bristol’s Homeless
Entry is free, but attendees are encouraged to donate what they can — either at the event or via HBH’s website.
A Festival That’s More Than Just a Weekend
Paint Fest may only last two days, but its impact — like the murals themselves — is intended to endure. With Bristol’s housing pressures showing no sign of slowing, the festival aims to inspire more alternative housing solutions, more grassroots advocacy, and more creative ways to involve the community in meaningful change.
Whether you’re a street art fanatic, a social change advocate, or just someone who loves a bit of colour in their weekend — Paint Fest 2025 is a moment worth witnessing
