DELIVERED PROJECTS
E+O Projects
The E&O Project is a previous project of ours, supporting leaders with lived experience to become leaders of their own social enterprises, and leaders within Bridge Creative. Experiences and Opportunities are what make us who we are, and inspire us to dream big and reach our potential. We are immensely grateful to National Lottery players and the National Lottery Community Fund for funding this project.
The E&O Project enabled us to support a cohort of young adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults to become Lived Experience Leaders. Over the 2 years of the project, we supported people to become company directors, social enterprise owners, change-makers and positive influencers in their community.
The project was based on four key principles:
- Learning by doing
- Extraordinary positive life experiences
- Innovative opportunities that inspire others
- Putting lived experience at the forefront
The following enterprises were all started with our support
Inclusion
Shaun Ridley launched his own social-enterprise- Inclusion- in 2022. A club night for adults with a learning disability and autistic adults to enjoy a ‘normal’ night out. Shaun is a professional DJ and started out deejaying as a hobby to help with his mental health. He now runs these events once every two months at Mrs M's in Bishop Auckland marketplace.
Little Fire Arts
Little Fire Arts is a non-profit social enterprise started up by Aiden Dawson- our marketing & IT officer- in 2022. It's aim is to help the environment through using recycled wood, and support adults with learning disabilities and autism in pyrography workshops sessions. Aiden will run these sessions in Bishop Auckland at our MADEBy workshop once every two months in 2024.
Dapper Dog Walks
Meet Oliver who has begun a new dog walking social enterprise in July 2023. He is autistic and finds being around and working with animals helps his confidence and improves his overall wellbeing. He's been working on setting up his own business and now takes on new clients all the time! He currently covers Bishop Auckland, Middridge and Newton Aycliffe area.