David Ward

The Bridge staff, volunteers and friends have been devasted by the news of Dan’s passing and will miss him greatly. We are still here and available to any members that would like to get in touch during this sad time.

Kindest regards

Maria

Bridge is a substance misuse programme based in Northampton but working throughout the county.

Unfortunately due to Coronavirus, all Bridge sites are currently closed. However, we are providing one to one telephone and virtual support to our members with a view to mirroring our normal timetable wherever possible as well as providing information and advice on our facebook.

Members can keep in touch and maintain contact with Bridge workers on the numbers below. All our Recovery Workers from the three sites are there for support and guidance, just give us a call.

• Northampton (9am - 5pm): Monday - Friday - 01604 621259.
• Corby (10am - 2pm): Monday - Friday - 07931 316289 and 07958 664338.
• Wellingborough (10am - 2pm): Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - 07931 109353.
• Wellingborough: Tuesday to Friday (10am - 2pm) - 07775 280602.
• For Housing Support (9am to 5pm): Monday - Friday - 01604 621259.

Don't forget to join the Online Quiz every Friday at 8.00pm. To join in click here.

If you would like to join any of these groups, please call 01604 621259 to book a place for those groups at Bridge or just click on the link for the Zoom meeting on the above timetable. The meetings will be open 15 minutes before the start time. If you have any problem joining a meeting, please call 01604 621259 and a member of Bridge staff will be able to help.

Housing, employment and financial support is all still available; just give us a call and we can give you advice over the telephone on the number above.

Peer support groups are available via social media and members are encouraged to share any advice and coping techniques they are participating in with each other.

For information on other tips, support being offered by other local services and courses, feel free to give us a call or click here.

Keeping fit with Gerry

During this period, we are aware that some of you will find it hard to either find the motivation to exercise, or to know which exercises are the most effective. Our gym instructor Gerry has put together a few videos to help you with your home workouts.

A brief overview of the work that the Bridge Programme does to support people with substance misuse issues

Bridge is a peer support project which links volunteers who have recovered from alcohol and/or drug misuse with members with serious substance misuse problems. Bridge also provides a range of activities, events and support. There are recovery workers who work with members to sustain their recovery and staff who specialise in advice and guidance on benefits, housing and employment.

Members will have some motivation to control, reduce or cease their drug/alcohol use and benefit from the support and encouragement of volunteers who have direct experience. Volunteers are trained for their role and fill an important and sensitive position.

Members can benefit from all the services Bridge provides or choose those that would be most beneficial.

Our volunteers are keeping busy by completing online training courses such as safeguarding, information sharing, mental health; so far 8 volunteers have completed 47 courses between them! Two of our volunteers in Northampton are currently volunteering for the NHS helping at the hospital. One of our volunteers is taking this time to learn Portuguese. Four volunteers have returned to their paid employment due to being vital keyworkers (care work, nursing, telephone support for a bank and at a supermarket) whilst others are helping the local community by getting shopping for family members, friends and neighbours who are in need. Three Wellingborough volunteers have been working hard to maintain the allotment; members can now join them but need to arrange this via Bridge. Another Wellingborough volunteer has been facilitating Relapse Prevention via Zoom. Finally, one volunteer has gone back to his other volunteering role in a charity shop.

Bridge holds a quiz every Friday night via Facebook. Rounds have consisted of general knowledge, plus other subjects such as sport, music, geography, movies etc. Anyone can join in and interaction is welcome, although if you don't want to interact you can still take part. It's friendly, welcoming and inclusive, with members, volunteers, staff and other Bridge supporters taking part.

To take part all you have to do is go to the Bridge Facebook page. You do not need to sign up to Facebook to play. Have a pen and paper ready to record your answers and have a friendly challenge against others. Hope to see you there!