The Bridge is a youth provision by Adoption UK supported by The Haramead Trust, Jack Brunton Charitable Trust, the Woodsmith Foundation and the National Lottery Community Foundation Awards for All.

Launched in January 2023, The Bridge provides adopted young people with essential support and an inclusive space to connect with eachother, share experiences and gain important life skills.

 

Building skills for life and the future

The Bridge programme focuses on developing key soft skills essential for personal growth such as:

• communication,
• teamwork,
• resilience,
• self-advocacy
• confidence
• independence,
• self-esteem

Many adopted young people encounter challenges in education, social settings, and confidence-building.

Developing these skills is critical in bridging the gap between their potential and opportunities.

Bridge empowers participants to navigate professional environments, build relationships, and advocate for themselves.

Through a range of hands-on activities, young people have applied these skills in meaningful ways including:

• presenting their experiences to policymakers, including at the Houses of Parliament and local education authorities.  
• contributing to professional training by designing resources such as a board game on care-experienced challenges, now used by social workers,
• engaging in high-level discussions, including meetings with the Minister for Children and Families.

 

Ofsted Report

In a recent Ofsted inspection, Adoption UK was awarded “Outstanding”.  The section below assesses and describes The Bridge:

[Adoption UK] …has developed a provision ‘The Bridge’, which further enhances the support that children, young people and families can access.  This provision has had a significant impact on the life experiences of adopted children.  Here, the children have opportunities to build lifelong relationships built on shared experiences.  The project is highly successful.  Children like to attend, and for some children this is their only outlet for socialising.  This project has grown exponentially, and the impact it has had on relationships and adoption stability is extraordinary.  One parent said: ‘We can see an independence emerging in them [the child].  Their resilience and tolerance are growing.’

 

Join a group

Each of the five different groups of Bridge, across the region look and feel very different, responding to the needs of the young people and group that has come together.  Involvement in Bridge, for young people, is voluntary and young people are given new experiences and opportunities that develop them and give them responsibility, at a level appropriate to them.

Please get in touch with Mark to find out more about the groups: [email protected]

All local Bridge groups operate in the evening – 6.30-8.00, fortnightly.

Grimsby – Wednesdays

Hull – Thursdays

York – Mondays

Scarborough – Mondays

Skipton – Tuesdays

 

Looking Ahead

Previously, with the support of the John Lewis Partnership Foundation, Adoption UK has been able to explore new ways to address the higher rates of NEET status among adopted young people.  As the programme evolves, we aim to expand opportunities, strengthen partnerships with education and employment sector, and ensure adopted young people have access to the skills, experiences, and networks they need to thrive.  By equipping young people with the tools to succeed in life, Bridge is laying the foundation for brighter, more confident futures.

 

Supported by

The Haramead Trust, Jack Brunton Charitable Trust, the Woodsmith Foundation and the National Lottery Community Foundation Awards for All

 

If you would like to know how your organisation can support care experienced people learn valuable work and life skills, or for any questions about the project, please contact [email protected]