Surrey’s Bridge the Gap service receives £120,000 from Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

The Police and Crime Commissioner has awarded £120,000 to Surrey's Changing Futures Programme, which supports vulnerable adults across the county.

The Changing Futures Bridge the Gap service supports people who are experiencing a combination of problems including mental health issues, substance use, homelessness and domestic abuse.

Often these individuals suffering multiple disadvantage have a history of offending, and the support offered by Surrey County Council's Bridge the Gap provides stability and a path to recovery. It aims to reduce re-offending by supporting people to improve their lives and re-engage positively with their local communities.

Multiple disadvantage impacts all areas of Surrey and senior programme manager, Collette Le Van Gilroy said more funding is needed for this vital work to continue.

"This is a wonderful boost to our Bridge the Gap programme and shows the confidence the Police and Crime Commissioner has in the work we are doing," said Collette.

"By working with people who are experiencing multiple disadvantage we are helping to combat violence against women and girls, addressing alcohol and drug-related crimes and anti-social behaviour while reducing re-offending. However, to continue supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Surrey we need an additional £1.3 million, and so our fundraising efforts will continue." 

Bridge the Gap is currently funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the National Lottery Community Fund. The programme was designed by Surrey's Lived and Living Experience Community, a group of people who have experienced multiple disadvantage, including a history of offending.

This unique support for Surrey residents is done in partnership with eleven charities and sees 22 specialist outreach workers supporting vulnerable adults to help them lead more fulfilling lives.  

Lisa Byrne, Changing Futures' programme manager said: "The value of having people from a recovery community in our workforce is key as they themselves have walked that path and transformed their lives to becoming thriving citizens. Peer to peer support helps beneficiaries to change how they see themselves and the world offering them hope to work towards a brighter future and any funding we receive to continue offering this service is vital."

Eleven of Surrey's voluntary and community partners have partnered with the Changing Futures Team to deliver the Bridge the Gap project. These include Catalyst, Guildford Action, The Hope Hub, Oakleaf, The Richmond Fellowship, Rentstart and St Peters Community network as well as two of Surrey's High Intensity User programme at A&E departments. There is also Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership, which includes North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service, Your Sanctuary, Southwest Surrey Domestic Abuse Service and East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: "Bridge The Gap offers those experiencing multiple disadvantage the vital support they need and a chance to help rebuild their lives.

"I recently visited Oakleaf, one of those community partners who will benefit from the outreach workers the programme will fund, and saw first-hand the amazing work they are doing.

"Often those most in need are the ones who can sadly find themselves in the criminal justice system. So I am delighted my office is able to support this programme through our Reducing Reoffending Fund which will provide such a crucial lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities."

Craig Jones, left, and George Bell from the OPCC who work closely with Bridge the GapPolice and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Ends

For more information on Bridge the Gap:

Changing Futures - Bridge the Gap | Healthy Surrey

[email protected]

Changing Futures - Power of Co-production (youtube.com)

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.