Bridge Creative

Background

Photo taken by Josh

Bridge Creative was set up in 2018. They have supported over 200 people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and other mental health conditions across County Durham. The organisation is based in Bishop Auckland.

They support autistic and neurodiverse adults as well as people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities etc, get work experience and get into work, and also to learn new skills and gain confidence as well as meet new people.

And they also offer in-work support for people starting employment.

The center (The COSE), which opened in 2022, is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and is based in Bishop Auckland. The center has rooms that people can rent to use as private work spaces, and it also has communal spaces and events and workshops.

Projects with Bridge Creative

Bridge Creative organize and run many projects to help adults get work experience, and learn new skills.

Photo taken by Bridge Creative

The following projects that they have so far done include:

• Creative placements take place Monday to Friday at various times, for people to gain work experience. For more information on job opportunities, click here.
• E & O project, which is to help people start up their own social enterprise business. They have already helped two people start a business including Inclusion.
• Voluntary work, which includes working at events including the Christmas Town, Food Market, Halloween Hunt, Canny Communities, pop-up bar at Mrs M’s and also music festivals including Glastonbury and Greenfair. People can also volunteer at the COSE too.
• Employ-ability workshops which take place at the center on a Thursday 10.30 am to 12 pm.
• Made By Bridge is another enterprise project which Bridge Creative set up and involves making
•  things out of recycled materials and they have their own workshop based in Bishop Auckland. Click here to read more about this.

Taken by Bridge Creative

Social Activities at Bridge Creative

Bridge Creative also run plenty of social activities for people to meet new people and increase confidence. The following include:

• The friendship groups, 3.30 pm to 5 pm at Mrs M’s or Number 42 in Bishop Auckland marketplace every Friday.
• The Inclusion events are organised by one of the E & O projects supported by Bridge Creative, and take place at Mrs M’s once a month. People can buy tickets via Skiddles app or on the door. The next event is 13th February 6 pm to 10 pm.
• Coffee mornings which take place at the center, 10.30 am to 12 pm every other Wednesday.
• Keeping Connected is an online social activity, a chat from 11 am to 11.30 am, and gaming from 4 pm to 4.30, every day Monday to Saturday.
• Influence group is on 2 pm to 4.30 pm every Wednesday at the center.

Accessibility

Photo taken by Josh

The COSE is a very accessible-friendly place for people with different needs and abilities. The following

important points to know include:

• Wheelchair ramps at the back of the building.
• There is a lift in the center to access the upstairs.
• Soundproof pods, or small rooms for people to access for a quiet private space. There are five of these located in the building, three downstairs and two upstairs.
• There is an accessible toilet downstairs but the upstairs toilet is currently out of order until further notice.
• The doors at the entrance are automatic making it highly accessible for people with physical disabilities.
  

  Photo taken by Josh

• There is a spacious communal room in the building for people who prefer more space.
• The lighting in the rooms is adequate for all people’s needs.
• There are no disabled car parking spots but there is a bus stop five minutes walk from the center.
• Comfortable chairs and sofas in the spaces for people with back problems and people who prefer soft seating.
• Colorful decor in the building which helps with people to feel motivated and happy.
• The COSE has a kitchen area both upstairs and downstairs which includes a sink, a fridge and there is coffee, tea, and water. People can bring their own food as well.
• The furniture in the rooms includes both high and low desks/tables to suit people of different comforts and needs.
• There is WI-FI available.
• Bridge Creative Has Won An Highley Commended Award On The 19th July 2023 At The North East Charity Awards

We hope that this listing has been helpful for you and you will enjoy your visit at the COSE. If you’re interested in finding out more about the area of Bishop Auckland, view some of our other listings here.