Two new faces as Bridges expands with new programmes

Georgia McQuillan and Chris Carter have joined Bridges to deliver the two new Bridges Motivation and Bridges Access programmes.

Georgia will be responsible for Bridges Motivation, which will support young people aged 13-21 from East Lothian to reduce their social isolation, improve their mental health and develop life skills. Partly funded by Global’s Make Some Noise, the programme will be delivered through informal one-to-one activities such as going for walks, utilising community facilities across East Lothian or simply having a chat at Bridges.

Being a young East Lothian local herself, who has experienced the uncertainties being a young person can bring, Georgia hopes to become a positive role model for the young people she will be working with.

“I remember feeling lost when I was at the age of the young people I will be working with. Even at 19, I had no idea what I wanted to do,” she said.

This uncertainty turned out to be what would lead Georgia towards her career path. A meeting with a careers guidance advisor at university inspired her to do a postgraduate degree in Careers Guidance, which included a placement at Skills Development Scotland. Georgia is therefore well prepared to work with young people who are uncertain about their future, many of whom will be struggling with social isolation and anxiety.

“I’m looking forward to being there for young people who are in that in-between stage before they need to take any big decisions about what they want to do in life. I want to be there to help them lay the stepping stones for their future, rather than making them feel like they need to make a big jump. I hope I can be that person who can help them just as I got help when I was unsure about my own future,” said the new Bridges Motivation Support Worker.

More employability support

Bridges Access is the second new programme which Bridges has just launched. Made possible through funding from funders such as the Gannochy Trust and the Foundation Scotland administered Bairdwatson Charitable Trust Fund, the programme will add to Bridges’ portfolio of employability support programmes.

Like the other employability support programmes at Bridges, Bridges Access will support young people with developing employability skills and life skills and with moving on to destinations such as employment, further education or volunteering. It will be open to young people aged 12-25 from East Lothian and will be delivered both through one-to-one sessions and industry-specific training courses.

Chris will deliver Bridges Access. Originally from Australia, he was working in the construction industry for 20 years before he decided to make a career change and do a counselling course. He is now looking to put his transferable skills into action as he has experienced first-hand the difference the right support can make to young people.

“When I worked in construction, I worked with a lot of young apprentices and I could see the effect the right mentoring had on them. I remember how much difference it made to myself when I first started out. A little can go a long way and have a big impact,” said Chris.

He is looking forward to helping young people on a daily basis.

“I’m excited about making people’s quality of life better through person-centred support and being there through young people’s journeys and development. I’m really excited to have this opportunity,” said the new Employability Support Worker.