A community hub at the
heart of Aylesbury
Why are we here?
Bridgeworks exists to serve and resource the Southcourt neighbourhood of Aylesbury
We want to see a community where:
change is empowered, the hungry are fed,
the streets are safer, the next generation is thriving,
the people are more united, minds and bodies are being mended,
relationships are flourishing, and more laughter is heard.
Our Neighbourhood
We love Aylesbury and we love our Southcourt neighbourhood! Amongst the 7,000 or so residents, there is a truly vibrant mix of outlook, culture and demographic diversity.
Many of our neighbours are thriving. However our daily reality is that Southcourt ranks
amongst the top 20% of most deprived areas in the UK. The 2023 Census revealed that
60% of Southcourt households are experiencing some level of measurable deprivation.
Bridgeworks is a place-based community resource that exists to serve positive
and empowered life-change. We believe in better for Southcourt!
Southcourt Boxing
Our non-sparring boxing club provides targeted sessions for both adults and children. This year the club has 150 registered students supported by 4 fully qualified coaches and 3 apprentice coaches. The aim is to provide a place to get fitter, grow in self-discipline and other life skills. We also provide nutritional information. The club is a health-focused, non-judgemental and supportive social space.
Thames Valley Police
Community Policing Award
2023
Foodbank
The ‘Bridge The Gap’ food bank has been a key feature of the Bridgeworks community support strategy for the past 7 years. Food poverty is a very real issue for many people in Southcourt.
Bridge The Gap creates a safe,
non-judgemental social space
where clients can receive essential food and household supplies. We also provide a trusted and successful signposting service that has helped many past clients to make the first steps out of the grip of food poverty.
A recent activity snapshot revealed that, over the past 12 months, we
have helped 570 families via 3,780 food boxes.
Community Safety
Knife & Nitrous Oxide
Amnesty Bins
Bridgeworks, in partnership with Thames Valley Police and local charity ‘In This Together’ are continually exploring what can be done to make our streets a bit safer. Our first focus has been to provide two ‘amnesty’ bins. This year we installed the UK’s first Nitrous Oxide Canister Amnesty Bin.
In the first two months of this year 70 full & half full canisters have been disposed of... These are just two examples of how we can make some positive changes together.
In 2021 we opened our Knife Amnesty Bin which was the first ‘fixed location’ bin in the UK.
To date, 876 knives have been removed from circulation
Community Fair
Neighbours who play together stay together - so once a year we get outside for a big old party. Bridgeworks provides volunteers, free food, entertainment, outdoor games and a safe space to mingle with new friends.
Last year, over 700 people decided to come out and enjoy the fun!
Pre-School
Treehouse Pre-school is set in a purpose-built facility with provision for up to 38 children.
We have created a loving and welcoming environment for families from our immediate neighbourhood and beyond. Children learn and grow through play and self-selected interests. Our professionally-qualified staff are all highly experienced in early years development. We welcome diversity and offer very affordable fees for those not eligible for funded childcare.
Operation Santa
Is a two day, free of charge, Christmas time event to which all families from all of our projects are invited. We are so grateful to a variety of community partners who kindly supplied SantasWorkshop with brand-new toys.
All of this created a whole lot of HO! HO! HO! for some very excited little people (and quite a few bigger people too). More laughter, that’s what we all need isn’t it?
Operation Santa 2023 saw us providing Christmas dinner for 300 people and a visit to Santa who gave out 1,700 toys and books.
New for 2024
Youth Hub is a new club for young people in Aylesbury. It values fun, teaches dignity and respect, and aims to introduce teenagers to good adult role models. Sadly, our Southcourt home has the second highest rate of deprivation in Buckinghamshire. This means that many go-to activities for young people are unaffordable.
Youth Hub provides a safe, accessible, and welcoming place to youth in Aylesbury - completely free of charge. Volunteers connect with young people over Fifa, table football, screen games and a whole variety of often crazy, group activities.
Shift.
Life Coaching
Bridgeworks is partnering with ROC UK to pilot a brand new, highly accessible community resource. Shift. life coaching is laser-focused on empowering those who may be experiencing challenge because of adverse economic circumstances, lack of connections and limited opportunities.
Shift. uses a selection of visual tools to help identify a key area of ‘stuck’. Our Shift. coaches then facilitate the discovery of the First Next Step (FNS) forward in one chosen area of challenge. Our pilot is offering this life coaching resource to our food bank clients and our boxing club students.
One of the challenges that people often face is knowing what help, support and resources are available to them. Our weekly Bridgeworks Drop In provides an easy access contact and information point. Partner agencies, charities and individual professionals are present to assist with questions relating to housing, benefits, basic health needs, money and income issues, job applications, food poverty and personal safety.
Bridgeworks Drop In
