Bridges Programme is governed by a board of Trustee who meet quarterly. We are a company limited by guarantee(Compnay number SC352017) and a registered charity (Scottish charity number SCO36344). 

We also have a refugee steering group, who help us develop our services in order to better meet the needs of our client group. The Bridges Programmes currently has six members of full-time staff, two part time staff, a secondee from the Open University and a number of volunteer mentors who work on our youth and our womens projects. 

We are able in certain circumstances to extend some of our services to others for whom English is not a first Language.

Our Core Activity remains arranging work shadowing and work experience placements for asylum seekers and refugees across all industry and business sectors. By matching the skills of clients with the skills of employees of Scottish businesses and organisations we provide valuable opportunities of practical experience of the Scottish Labour Market.

Women's Empowerment Workshops. Bridges commitment to working with women has been developed into a series of women empowerment workshops thoughout the city, which provide transport, childcare and ongoing mentoring support. 50% of our placement clients are also women.

Youth project. We have a dedicated team of staff who work with young asylum seekers and refugees including unaccompanied minors offering a number of services including a Life Skills Development Course and mentoring.

Equipped for the Future is our dedicated pre-employment training course for refugees and those with leave to remain and work. 5 week long and involving employers throughout, the EFF team, led by Suki Mills, covers all aspects of employment training including  specialist ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) support for the workplace, CV building, mock interviews, application workshops and placement activities. We are also introducing for 2009 sectr specific pre-employment support for Social Care, and introducing Literacy and Numeracy support for appropriate clients

Childcare. We are able to assist some clients access childcare if they are taking up  placement with us or attending either an Empowerment Workshop or an Equipped for the Future Course.

Beneficiary Support. Travel costs to placements and courses are generally covered either by the host employer or Bridges. We also have access to limited funding for other support such as document translation, course materials, clothing, for registered clients and  provided it is linked to employment, training or education needs.

Referrals. Access to our services is either through self referral or by referrals from other agencies.

We are currently funded by:

The Big Lottery

Scottish Government

Glasgow City Council

European Social Fund (EPSOL partnership)