The Building Bridges Programme
Helping people overcome their barriers to employment and education, across Swindon and Wiltshire.
The Building Bridges Programme offers a holistic service which provides personalised support to people with significant barriers and challenges to help them build their independence and move towards education and employment outcomes.
For further information on our eligibility criteria, the support we provide and how to make referrals please see below.
For information about the impact delivered by our previous Building Bridges programme from 2016-2023 please visit our impact page.
About Building Bridges
Building Bridges (Swindon & Wiltshire)
Support for people aged 16+ in Swindon and Wiltshire.
The programme supports people aged 16+ (no upper age limit) who want to move towards sustained education or employment goals.
For young people at college who may be at risk of becoming NEET we can collaborate closely with them and the college to provide tailored support that enable them to maintain and progress within their placement.
Programme Referrals
People can refer themselves to the programme or make a referral on behalf of someone else they are supporting (with their permission).
People can refer themselves to the programme or make a referral on behalf of someone else they are supporting (with their permission). Please note that for young people under 18, we need the permission of their parent, carer or guardian in order to accept the referral.
Eligibility
The Building Bridges programme can support people who:
Have the legal right to work in the UK
Are currently unemployed or not working
Live in Swindon or Wiltshire
Are aged 16+ (those under 18 must be NEET or At Risk of NEET)
Are not in prison or on remand
Make a Referral
Make a referral for yourself or on behalf of someone else you are supporting with their permission, using our online referral form,
Programme Support
Information about the support on offer for participants
What We Do
Our support focuses primarily, though not exclusively, on careers and job search guidance. This may include
Exploring transferable skills and personal strengths
Identifying suitable training opportunities
Providing tailored careers advice
Helping participants build a strong job‑search toolkit
Our goal is to help individuals progress towards their longer‑term education and employment aspirations at a pace that feels right for them.
How We Work
In addition to employability support, we also offer help in key areas such as confidence building, wellbeing, motivation, communication skills and working effectively with others.
We work one‑to‑one with each participant to understand the challenges they face and to create a personalised plan that supports their goals. Every journey is unique, and we tailor our approach to meet individual needs.
Participation in the programme is entirely voluntary
Participants may be unemployed, receiving benefits or economically inactive. Unfortunately, we are unable to support individuals who are already in employment.
For more information, please contact the Building Bridges team by telephone: 01380 732821 or email:
It has 100% changed my life - I recommend it to anyone. It has boosted my self-confidence more than I thought possible.
The programme really helped me take the next step to get back into work.
