Local Charnwood MP Ed Argar first visitor to The Bridge (East Midlands) new working hub model

Upon the week of The Bridge (East Midlands) relocating to a new working hub model, Local Charnwood MP Ed Argar (Minister of State for Health) was keen to talk to the life changing charity about their next steps in working together to support the community.

Together with Jay Webb (Chair of the Board of Trustees) Sue Langley (Chief Executive Officer) and Molly Boggis (Head of Programmes and Services); Argar discussed in detail the challenges within the local community, and in response the advice, support, and assistance services The Bridge offers to the Charnwood area and beyond. Argar relayed the sense of pride and gratitude felt across his constituents about the work The Bridge does to help those in need.

The Bridge’s service offer has grown exponentially in the last few years, with referrals rising to over 6,000 in April 2020 - March 2021. In response to this demand, The Bridge have adapted their delivery to a new hub working model, making their services more accessible across the East Midlands. Argar gave praise to this new way of working: “I’ve known The Bridge since I was first elected as a Member of Parliament for Charnwood in 2015, when I visited the organisation’s previous office at Leicester Road. It was very clear from this early meeting just how valuable the work of The Bridge is to our community, in helping people with challenges around homelessness or housing issues.

“Today, I’m the first official visitor to one of the three new hub offices, and I’m here to work with Sue [Langley] and everyone at The Bridge to make those connections across the county to help deliver their important services” Argar explained.

This new era of exciting change for the organisation prompted discussion of future partnerships being key to formulate a safety net for a recovering community in a post pandemic era. Langley advocated for the organisation’s new initiative: The Bridge2Collaboration, that aims to support the community in this way, by working with local businesses in “strategic partnerships that make a difference,” explained Langley. Argar explained how beneficial this was, as The Bridge “acts as a catalyst to bring organisations together, to help provide those services that people need”.

The Bridge2Collaboration is inviting new members from local businesses to their next event on Friday 29th April 2022 at the Marriot Hotel, Smithy Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 1SW. For more information, please visit: www.thebridge-eastmidlands.org.uk/the-bridge-2-collaboration