Member Article

North East voluntary women’s organisation enters administration

Voluntary women’s group, the Bridge Organisation, has entered into administration, having played a key role in the community for the last 26 years.

Joint administrators from Begbies Traynor in Newcastle were appointed to the organisation, which employed 110 staff.

Since 1985 the Bridge Training and Education Opportunities for Women, provided educations and training for local women, which was supported by the provision of free quality childcare.

It operated three centres across the Sunderland districts of Columbia, Sulgrave and Albany, with an additional base in Durham.

Gillian Sayburn, insolvency director at Begbies Traynor, said: “It is very sad to see an organisation which has played such a key role in the local community over the last 26 years having to close.

“Bridge established and maintained a link between local women, regardless of age, ethnic background, disability or financial situation, providing access to training which may not have been available elsewhere.

“The business has won a succession of accolades and awards and the staff, many of whom are volunteers, have worked tirelessly to promote opportunities for local women.”

As a not for profit organisation, Bridge relied on fund raising, grants and charitable donations in order to operate.

Gillian continued: “Due to the changes and restrictions in central funding within education, the number of students has been steadily dropping over the course of the last year. In addition, Bridge has encountered problems itself with funding due to the general economic climate, leading to dwindling reserves.

“With no prospect of a positive change in future funding policy on the horizon, the Board has taken the view that losses will continue to be accrued. As the majority of staff have been with Bridge for many years, it was not possible to reduce the workforce as redundancy costs were prohibitive, leaving the Board with no alternative other than to investigate insolvency options.

“Whilst it will be a huge blow for the local community, it is hoped that by entering administration, negotiations can be held with various stakeholders in an attempt to rescue, if only in part, some of the business.

“However, the goodwill of a number of parties will be required to reach such a position. In the meantime, with no significant funds expected in the short term, the Board and administrators had no alternative other than to take the difficult decision to dismiss the majority of the workforce with immediate effect.”

Sheila Davidson, chief executive of the Bridge Organisation, said: “Over the last 26 years, Bridge has worked with tens of thousands of local women in Sunderland and Durham providing vital learning opportunities, health and support services and volunteering initiatives.

“It is with much regret and sadness that the business is now in administration. We offer our sincere thanks to all of the funders, partners, colleagues and friends of Bridge who have supported the organization over the years.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .