Mandy - Bridge Northumberland

"Mandy is the perfect example of what people can achieve in their Bridge journey. She has embraced all the support offered and has developed so much from our first conversation."

It’s hard to believe Mandy initially struggled with confidence and felt socially isolated when she first joined. She wanted to gain new skills and get some support to re-enter work having been unemployed for a while.

Sheena Smith, Mandy’s Bridge Worker:
“Mandy is the perfect example of what people can achieve in their Bridge journey. She has embraced all the support offered and has developed so much from our first conversation. Mandy is such a caring and kind person… She is part of the Bridge family and I am proud to be a small part of her success.”

Sheena helped organise a volunteering role for her with Community Food & Friendship food bank in Blyth and she’s now a valuable member of the team.

Here are just some of the lovely comments we’ve had about Mandy!

Lynne Craggs, Coordinator at Community Food and Friends food bank:
“Celebrating Mandy? Where to start?! She works packing emergency food boxes and keeping our food storage in order. She’s also part of the Market Team who raise funds for us at Blyth market most weeks. Wouldn’t be without her.”

Leanne Brown, Northumberland CVA:
“Mandy has grown in confidence since I first spoke to her during the first lockdown. Mandy has completed all Bridge Connector training remotely and is now currently supporting two beneficiaries via Zoom call. Mandy is a positive person which rubs off on others and is always willing to help. It has been an absolute pleasure working with Mandy and I know she has a great future ahead of her.”

Sarah Tate, Northumberland CVA:
“I can always rely on Mandy to be there as a support for the two beneficiaries she carries out the 1-1 Zoom chats with and is always ready to go even before I’ve even started the chat! She is so easy-going, non-judgemental and an inspiration to many, including myself.”

We asked Mandy what our Bridge programme has done for her:

“Bridge has given me more confidence. I am more sociable once again. I have met a lot of lovely people and I am loving what I do. I am hoping to get a job in this type of field in the future as I love my Support and Food Bank roles.”