Building Bridges
After six extraordinary years, the Building Bridges programme has come to an end. The programme, which has been jointly funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund, has supported adults across Swindon and Wiltshire to overcome their barriers and develop skills to achieve and sustain employment.
Since the start of the programme, we have supported over 100 individuals on their pathway to employment; those considered to be furthest from obtaining work, due to factors such as a long-term health condition or disability.
We are delighted that over 50% of the participants have gained employment or a volunteer placement and 80% have gained new skills and/or qualifications that will help them find employment.
What have we done?
During the programme, we have worked across many of the Trust’s nature reserves and projects, and assisted private organisations to carry out practical land management and conservation activities.
Building Bridges participants have assisted on projects at The Willows Care Farm and nature reserves such as Langford Lakes, Blakehill and Ravensroost, to name a few.
We worked with the Taking Action for Insects project which got participants involved with coppicing and tree popping at Blackmoor Copse and Coombe Bissett Down nature reserves.
We also led weekly wellbeing walks and provided 1:1 support to people on their employment journey. The benefits of this support has been apparent, with 80% of participants having increased wellbeing and self-esteem from being on the programme.
Case Study
One participant was on the programme from September 2021 until February 2023 and made amazing progress during that time. He was on a long journey to overcoming significant mental health barriers, from not leaving the house alone for seven years to finding a voluntary role in a local charity shop. This is what he had to say:
Building Bridges has been the best thing I have done, as I have gotten so much from it. It has taught me skills, from working as part of a team and communicating with each other, to doing different activities such as tree popping, coppicing, planting and garden work. It has also taught me how to follow different instructions and problem solve.
I have met some great people along the way who have looked out for each other, making sure we all felt comfortable and helping out with the problems that we may have been facing. I have gained the confidence to try new things. I am in a much better mind-set than I was before I joined and now I am trying to think more positively about things, facing challenges head on.
The main thing that I am going to take away is that things don’t always go your way; you may face challenges, obstacles and other types of barriers, but it doesn’t stop you from moving forward and progressing your life.
I would like to thank the team for pushing me forward while keeping me motivated and helping me overcome my barriers while increasing my confidence along the way.
What's next?
Whilst the Building Bridges programme has now ended, Community First will be announcing a new back-to work programme in 2023.
If you or someone you are supporting is facing significant challenges in being able to develop their skills, access education or move towards the world of work, please register your details below. A member of the team will be in touch to talk about our future plans or help signpost you to other support in the meantime.
Register for updates here: https://buildingbridgessw.org.uk/register/