Bridge–Building

Welcome to the community bridge-building pages. These pages are run by members of Develop's community bridge-building inclusive practice forum. This is a partnership of organisations and individuals with an interest in building links between mental health services and mainstream organisations to make community spaces and services more welcoming for people with mental health problems.

Our forum meets on a quarterly basis at a different community-based venue each time e.g. libraries, leisure centres and colleges. We get to hear about services the host organisation offers and how we might be able to help each other (it is all about win-win partnerships). We are also interested in recruiting local people to volunteer their time to support people with mental health problems who need a bit of help.

What we have to offer:

• We share stories of inclusive practice.
• Support the development of mental health services and mainstream community organisations to promote community bridge-building.
• Events related to community bridge-building.
• We share information about useful contacts, projects and schemes to support your bridge-building activities.
• We can signpost you to training opportunities and help you find solutions to current issues related to community bridge-building.

In this section you will be able to find:

• Services that support people with mental health problems to gain welcoming access to a variety of life opportunities in sports and leisure, arts and culture, faith and spirituality etc.
• Events about local community activities and interests and about community bridge-building practice.
• Evidence and policy - Research and other materials describing effective community bridge-building practice and how the skills of community bridge-building can improve the effectiveness of your services.
• Guidance and tools that can be used to help plan people's access to ordinary opportunity including 100's of tips for community bridge-building practitioners and their clients.
• News - stories about people's experiences of community bridge building in the borough.
• A discussion forum - A place to ask questions, find support and obtain advice about all things to do with building bridges to the community and supporting people to gain access to goods and services and what to do if issues relating to mental health matters arise in your community.
• Training about community bridge building, how to be an effective bridge-builder, working with community organisations, supporting people well, mapping your local facilities etc.

If you would like to take part in the bridge-building forum please contact: bbforum@developbromley.com