Welcome To

1. Welcome To

2. Who Are We? • Registered Charity since 2002 • Work with vulnerable Young People aged 10-25 (mentoring) • Provide a variety of accredited programmes for adults and young people • Recruit and train volunteers Aim: To Break Down The Barriers Of Social Exclusion; To Encourage Young People, Aged 10-25, Build Bridges To A More Positive Future

3. Mentoring • Training volunteer mentors to provide a one-to-one mentoring services for 10-25 year old’s throughout the Borough of Bridgend. • Providing educational, recreational and emotional support in a confidential, non-judgmental way. • Mentors help young people achieve personal goals thus reducing the risk of social exclusion. • Volunteer Mentors help young people to address the problems they are experiencing, by setting goals related to areas the young person has highlighted in their Action Plan. • Activities are based around the young person’s interests, and are used to achieve the following desired outcomes: • Increased confidence/ self esteem • Greater independence/ responsibility • Increased capacity to solve problems • Ability to initiate and sustain actions • Management of emotions & relationships

4. Volunteers • We have over 60 volunteers on our books, anyone from the age of 16 up can volunteer, our oldest volunteer being 72 and supporting two young people on a weekly basis • Full Agored Cymru level 2 Mentor Induction training is provided, so no previous experience is necessary 30 hours learning, 30 hours practical experience. • Mentors at The Bridge Mentoring Plus Scheme can gain new skills and qualifications that can support career/job changes, and gain much needed practical experience that is expected when enrolling for certain college courses.

5. Training • Training at the Bridge is becoming ever more wide and varied in response to our work in schools, colleges and with the general public. • Currently we receive funding under Siardwn Ni, Families First, Garfield Weston Foundation and PreVENT 14-19 and Engagement Gateway. • We run courses for schools, particularly PSHE work, Colleges, General Public, Workplaces. • Courses can be tailored to the needs of those attending, and new courses can be written in conjunction with the school/college/workplace. • Range of accredited and non accredited courses

6. Learning Methods • Variety of Learning Methods utilised to catch the interest of all learners • Volunteers assist on courses to provide 1 to 1 support • A wide range of sessional tutors with differing skills, attributes and qualification • New methods such as info screen training being utilised. • Training for a purpose – working for a definite purpose such as Peer Mentoring Schemes in organisations • Utilising partner organisations to ‘share’ course delivery

7. Some of the courses we offer: • Communicating with parents! • Communicating with Teenagers! • Handling Conflict • Recognising and Handling stress (including in children) • Drug and Alcohol Issues • Rights and Responsibilities • Cyber bullying • Communication skills • Human Rights and how it applies to you. • Prejudices • Mentor Training OCN levels 1 and 2 • Peer Support/Training OCN Levels and 2 • Emotional Wellbeing (various topics) Levels 1 and 2 • Introduction to Youth Work OCN Levels 2 and 3 • Community Food and Nutrition • Money Matters • Stress Relief • Parenting (Care for the Family) • Goal planning • Bullying • Friendship • Peer Pressure

8. 2012 Training Figures • Since 1st April 2012: • Peer Mentoring: Level 1 – 98 Level 2 – 40 Other - 102 • Friendship: 267 • Rights and Responsibilities: 250 • Nutrition 125 • Relaxation and Stress 98

9. Where now....Moving Forwards

10. To grow or not to grow... • Sustainability • New projects

11. The New Family Centre • A lounge with coffee bar • Encouraging those not currently receiving support to access information and support to improve their situation • Early intervention for all family members aged 0 – 100!

12. What else? • A drop in for help and advice on many issues or problems • Programmes on a range of different subjects • Volunteering opportunities • Computers with Internet Access will be accessible for public use both during the day and on the drop- in evenings for young people. • An office with a consultation area (manned by staff or used by counsellors) will provide a private space for those in need of more in-depth support. • A programme of training courses, both short and long, accredited and non-accredited, plus training on “information screens”.

13. And there’s more! • The kitchen will be equipped to cater for those with and without disabilities, for Healthy Eating and Cookery programmes and general use • The addition of a washing machine and tumble drier for people who are classed as homeless to have supervised opportunities to use the facilities to keep clean and to cook themselves a hot meal • A paved garden area offers a place to relax in the sunshine during the summer months. This will be a sensory garden. • The large back room will have a number of uses including a conference room, training room, dance/exercise studio and can be for our own use or rented out. • Driven by Community Steering groups will meet here to discuss new ideas for the centre and take up issues facing people in their communities.

14. Plan of what it will look like

15. Opening hours and support • It is anticipated that the building will be available for public use 6 days a week. • In addition to the staff that will oversee the activities or provide services, a large group of trained volunteers will be recruited to support the day to day running of the centre whilst gaining valuable experience and skills to enhance job opportunities • Local agencies and organisations have also agreed to help with support, information and running courses and one to one training. These include: • Careers Wales • The Citizens Advice Bureau • Local PCSO’s • BCBC • Family Information Service • Want to Work • Transition Team (Heronsbridge)