Welcome

The Bridge Ventures is a Community Interest Company that has been set up to provide extended education for adults with learning disabilities in and around North Lincolnshire. It has been set up by like-minded parents who believe that everyone with learning difficulties can make a social contribution by coming together in a learning environment and developing their skills in horticultural pursuits.

This social, developmental and growing process will raise their aspirations, spirits and sense of belonging as a direct alternative to seclusion and isolation. It is our belief that by experiencing the dignity of physical work, taking part in a creative process and socialised learning, people with learning difficulties can be truly valued and may progress into paid employment.

The strategy

To provide a horticulture training facility for people with learning difficulties initially and then use the organisation model to develop drama, music and a social networking group. Our organisation is set up to assist people with learning difficulties improve their social contribution. We will enable them to make a social contribution by coming together in a learning environment and develop their skills and qualifications towards employment. This social, developmental and growing process will raise their aspirations, spirits and sense of belonging as a direct alternative to seclusion and isolation.

Our Principles

· The service to be provided from a number of centres in North Lincs…Brigg, Winterton and Sawcliffe Manor allowing clients to access the service locally.

· After initial set-up of capital equipment, the clients will make a contribution to daily training (where affordable) and produce will be sold to create revenue.

· LSC funding for clients enrolled on appropriate courses will be drawn down via North Lincs Adult Education Service.

· The Bridge will endeavour to provide transport between centres but clients will be required to make their way to their local centre Hardship cases will be considered)   

 

your views

If you are interested in getting your child participating in this new opportunity you can contact us direct using the email link above. Where someone will be able to contact you via email or telephone if you provide your number when contacting us.

During the next few weeks more details will be available for the course description, however as the site is being updated please bare with us.

The Course Structure - Click For Full Details

The first steps 2009

The Bridge Ventures have now had its official launch with the Brigg Ventures officially opened by The Mayoress of North Lincolnshire and Ian Cawsey MP, full details and photo gallery can be seen by clicking the menu link above.

Phase 1
The first venture will start on Monday November 2nd and will be horticultural based. There are classroom facilities for a portion of theory based learning however, the majority of the course will be hands on practical. The Brigg base which is located in the adult education centre will feature a number of polytunnels and a garden for preparing and planting of various seeds that will suppport the academic learning.

Phase 2
There will be a Mucis & Drama group set up that will be based at Winterton Rangers Club. This is thought to be run on a weekly basis. Social interaction is a very important part of our lives and this part of the venture is hoped to provide some fun activities that will help bring together people from across the region with special needs and will hopefully allow everyone attending to build up a strong friendship with others. All our courses and activities are independent and you do not have to attend one to go on another if you do not wish to.

Phase 3
The third part of the venture will begin in Spring 2010 on a site kindly loaned to us by Robert & Marina Elwes at Sawcliffe Manor, Risby. Initially, a horticulture course will be available on 2 half days a week supported by a qualified leader and project assistant. the lessons will be run in conjunction to the Brigg venture. This project is centred around a walled garden area that will require clearing and construction. [ see picture 3 above].

Phase 4
Situated back at Sawcliffe Manor and will move on to a larger garden area and be able to cater for up to 4 groups a week. This land [see pic 4 above] will be used for the planting and growing of vegetables and flowers.

Phase 4
Sawcliffe Manor has potential land available to considerably increase the size of the land available to us to begin other countryside courses including land management, hedging and countryside environmental awareness.

future visions

Life can have a habit of dealing us with the most unusual tasks and decisions, and for most people these are decisions that we get to make ourselves that determine the way we want to carry on in our life - however, young people with learning disabilities don't get the chance to make these important life decisions for themselves, and for most they don't even get the opportunity to make a choice. This needs to change.

The Bridge Ventures has been set up to help create a new structure of adult education with will help build skills necessary to help aide young people gain some form of paid employment. The start of the venture is a horticulture based project that will not only allow a hands on experience whilst training towards a recognisable qualification but it aims to help lay the foundations for a new social system where young people on the course will meet new friends and feel part of a creative experience.

We have many plans to extend the range or courses available over the coming months and as soon as these have been secured full details will be available on this site.