Features / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020, day 23: The Bridge Foundation
The Bridge Foundation was founded in 1983 by Sally Box, a psychoanalytic psychotherapist trained at the Tavistock clinic.
Almost 40 years later, the charity now provides therapy services for more than 100 clients every week, both in the centre of Bristol and within schools across the city.
Specialising in children’s and family mental health, the charity was able to quickly adapt to changing circumstances to support children, parents and schools.
is needed now More than ever
“We were able to turn around and work online within a week,” says Bridge Foundation CEO Michelle Windle.
“It was a case of ‘we have to adapt because it needs to be done’. We were already in schools so we were able to support them at a critical time.
“Mental health is critical, and there’s an awareness around in now that there wasn’t before the pandemic.”
The Bridge Foundation helps young people and their families with their mental health. Photo: The Bridge Foundation
With schools at the forefront of safeguarding and taking supporting children and their families with their mental health during a challenging year, the Bridge Foundation was able to help learning institutions with additional support.
Currently, the charity works in 27 schools across the city and is a partner with 12 others. With 70 per cent of the budget for the Bridge Foundation’s work coming from schools and the remaining 30 per cent coming from fundraising by the charity, its work is only limited by the amount of funds that are available.
“In 2021, we hope to continue to strengthen the work we’re doing,” says Michelle. “We want to keep helping those kids who might otherwise fall through the gaps.”
Main photo: The Bridge Foundation
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