Anyone at Oasis last Sunday would already have gained a bit of insight into The Bridge’s current financial situation and the challenges that lie ahead. I wanted to take the opportunity here to let you know a little more about what is going on behind the scenes at The Bridge…
We can now confirm that local government funding, through supporting people will be stopping in April. I can say that with a degree of calmness and peace, because we have had the opportunity to get a right perspective on what this means for us.
Supporting People funding makes up 40% of our income, mainly covering front-line worker’s salaries, so its imminent removal is no small thing, but we do have sufficient funds in the bank to ensure that we can still keep running for at least another 6 months after its removal. More importantly, the delay in this funding being removed has meant that we have been able pray this through, put good plans in place and submit some funding applications to grant-making trusts.
Needless to say, many hours of prayer have gone in over the last few months both seeking God’s direction for our future and for him to provide for what we feel he is leading us to.
The plan that has come about as a result is essentially two-fold:
1. For us to be carrying on our focus on those struggling to escape addictions, but pushing forward in this. We plan to be much more visible across the city by getting our recovery programme to a point of being recognised as an excellent model, and all our staff equipped to a very high level. We also plan to open a house for women with addictions later this year.
2. For us to be re-focusing on the roots of this work; determinedly re-engaging The Bridge with the church in a practical way and making sure that what we do, and why we do it, is firmly anchored and sustained from God’s church; not becoming confused by other influences.
In a nutshell, our aim for The Bridge is to be highly visible and excellent by the world’s standards, whilst being firmly rooted in, and motivated by God.
This resounds with what Jesus teaches us about being a salt and light.
Over the next two years the challenge is for us to be taking our recovery programme up to the highest recognised levels, as well as establishing a good, sustainable support from the church that will act as a strong ‘backbone’ for all that we do.
I use the image of a ‘backbone’ because by Oasis providing a strong, unwavering source of support, we will be able to build in other, often larger sources of income, without being pulled away from our essential reasons for doing the work, and what keeps us secure. We need the church’s support for the long term; both in building up this backbone of financial support and in praying in the extra funding needed.
We have some large funding applications pending at present, the most imminent of which is with the Tudor Trust, so your prayers would be very much appreciated there right now. The committed giving of the church, no matter at what level, is far more important to us than any thousands of pounds that we might be able to secure for two years from the generous giving of a charitable trust.
Please consider whether you can get behind this work and practically get involved in one of the ways in which God is tangibly rescuing people in our city through the local church.
With thanks,
Jim Nicholls on behalf of the Bridge team
