About The Bridge Trust

The Bridge Trust are a registered charity based in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

We reach out to the young people of Maidenhead by welcoming them to our project - re:charge café in Queen Street, Maidenhead.

Background

The Bridge Trust Thames Valley is a registered charity no: 1063163. It was established on 24th April 1997 and the initial project was a housing initiative for homeless young men. When local statutory provision improved, the project reached a natural end and was sold. A proportion of the proceeds were allocated to setting up re:charge.

With a lot of support from the people and churches of Maidenhead, re:charge café opened in November 2002.

Aims & Objectives

To have a positive impact on both target groups by providing a venue and creating an atmosphere in which positive relationships can develop and opportunities can be offered.

Objectives

Empower young people and young parents to reach their full potential.
Participation in the development of the project as part of a user group.
Help prevent target groups making negative choices such as drug and alcohol misuse, by providing an alternative, positive environment where a range of activities is on offer.
Provide a place when young people can come and meet the team whenever they want to and for maintaining contact with those who have left school.
Enable young parents to bring young children at times convenient to them, for an indefinite period, and to meet others in a similar life stage.
Give other organisations somewhere to meet young people and utilise the space for mentoring, as an access point for more informal work.
Give local people the opportunity to demonstrate care in the community.

Who's Involved

The Board of Trustees have overall responsibility for the strategic management of the project. They are:

Phillipa Boyland
Pat Hunt
Lucy Pettitt
Anthea Wratten

The project staff consist of:

Service Manager - Hilary Bone
Cafe Coordinator - Linda Crew
Assistant Café Coordinator - Hannah Lucas
Youth Coordinator - Dan West
Community Fundraiser - Vanessa Cummings

The work could not be done without the many volunteers in Maidenhead and the surrounding area who support the activities and come alongside the young people.