Support our Future: Prout Bridge Project for 2024

Aim: The Prout Bridge Project urgently needs your support to keep offering essential youth, community & mental health services in West Dorset

*A VITAL PILLAR AT THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY* 

In the heart of Beaminster lies a beacon of hope and support.

The Prout Bridge Project is a local cornerstone charity, nurturing the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children, young people and adults. 

Multiple essential services are housed under one roof in a welcoming community centre, used by hundreds of people every week, including:

• Safe and supportive youth clubs where our young people can thrive, in sports, music, art, outdoor and other activities. Physical activities on offer include football, hockey, basketball, rounders, badminton, tennis, table tennis, scooters, skateboarding, running and games. We also have a youth band - the Phoenix.
• Experienced youth worker mental health support in schools and one-to-one sessions for young people who are struggling + outreach in the town, skatepark and surrounding villages
• A free adult counselling service for anyone over 16 that people can turn to in crisis and time of need
• A community hub, bringing people together in local social, sports and craft groups + a baby and parent group, providing a safe warm space, and giving easy access to the Food Bank, Citizens Advice, Read Easy adult literacy and the Clothes Bank 4 Ukraine.
  
  

*IN NEED OF SUPPORT*

This well-run and highly-respected charity receives no ongoing Dorset or Town Council funding and has to fundraise tirelessly to keep going via grants and donations. We run a lean operation underpinned by volunteer involvement, but it still costs around £100k a year to run Prout Bridge for our local area.

With rising costs and fewer grants available, especially to small, rural charities, it's getting ever harder to keep the doors open. We're not alone - 85% of charities say this winter will be as tough, or tougher, than the last (NCVO). Despite costs climbing and funding falling, demand for our services is increasing.

Although we have secured some 2024 grant funding already, we still face a significant funding gap for the next year. We are sadly having to plan towards revising our services and cutting back if we can't secure immediate financial assistance.

The consequences would go beyond the loss of services and would have a devastating impact on the fabric of our community. Young people use the Prout Bridge Project as a trusted source of guidance and support, a place where they take part, learn, grow and be understood. People of all ages use the Prout Bridge Project as an accessible space to come together to connect and a route to practical help at times of crisis. 

For many in our community travelling elsewhere or taking part in other activities is not affordable. Other services have been cut back to almost nothing and waiting lists are impossibly long. This really is an irreplaceable provision, building community resilience in tough times. It is no overstatement to say that the Prout Bridge Project has saved lives. We cannot lose it now, in a cost-of-living and mental health crisis when people need it more than ever.

*PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CHARITY*

Please join us in our determination to keep the Prout Bridge Project going and help sustain our future. 

We need your donations and sponsorship now. 

We need to raise at least £20,000 before Christmas. This would give us the breathing space to apply for more grants and sponsorship to bridge the funding gap and keep services running through 2024.

We've been here before and we made it through then with the support of our wonderful community. We know you are there, and that you will step up to the challenge.

*HOW WE'LL USE THE MONEY WE RAISE*

All the money we raise through this Crowdfunder campaign will go directly to the running costs of the charity -- paying for our experienced and committed staff, running the community building and outreach and supporting the other services, clubs and activities on offer. 

We are hoping to raise enough money to cover at least 2 months of running costs. This will allow us to continue to offer our full youth community and mental health provision, as well as giving us more time to fundraise and secure grant funding to the end of 2024 and beyond.

* WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP *

If you are fortunate enough to be in a position that you can afford to give this Christmas time, please, support your local charity and donate what you can now to our December appeal. 

All we ask is that you give what you can. If we all give a bit, we can achieve a lot. Every pound will be spent delivering these services, and every pound counts!

There are 3 ways you can give:

• You can simply donate any amount you choose
• You can choose a reward in return for your pledge -- we've got some great gifts, goodies and vouchers thanks to the generosity of our local businesses
• You can become a Friend (£30+), Champion (£100+), Partner or Business Partner (£250+), Patron or Business Patron (£1000+) or Major Corporate Sponsor (£2500) - you can find these options in the rewards

And whatever you do, please spread the word, share this page with people you know, tell them about the Prout Bridge Project and why it matters to you and encourage them to support us too!

*THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY.*

Our service users say:

• "The Prout Bridge Project has been a life saver by supporting us through challenging mental health issues caused by trauma. I've been incredibly impressed by the variety of services they offer - and which has been impossible to get elsewhere. Thank you."
  
• "They helped a lot because now I know how to deal with anxiety"
• "It's a happy and fun social place."
• "To say I would not be here today without the help from the counselling I had would be an understatement."
• "It's fun and a reason to come out and do something."
• "I feel safe and comfortable at the youth club."
• "I think it is an amazing service - would 100% recommend."
• "They helped me a lot, made me realise I am able to talk to someone about how I feel."
• "It's warm."
• "I would be sat at home doing nothing if I didn't come to youth club."
• "I volunteer because it teaches me to work out money and socialise, and this helps my anxiety."
• "I like to make new friends."