Blackpool Citadel
A warm welcome awaits you at Blackpool Citadel Salvation Army
The Salvation Army
Blackpool Citadel Corps
Raikes Parade
Blackpool
FY1 4EL
Contact details
Majors Pat and Peter Exon
Tel: 01253 626 114
Fax: 01253 625 820
The Salvation Army is working to combat many of the social problems affecting Blackpool in a practical and proven effective manner, through The Bridge Project.
Blackpool, like many a seaside resort that flourished during Victorian times, is facing a very difficult future. Economic and demographic indicators show that the town is in a period of rapid decline. This even includes traditional employers such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach which has stated a loss of visitors on the previous years. The town has become a place where alcohol, drugs and sex trade issues dominate the local agenda, and the problem is becoming more and more visible and apparent.
The Bridge Project, held and run in The Salvation Army centre by Salvation Army staff, exists to:
- offer help and support to all in need of care
- offer a person-centred opportunity for everyone to seek and work out their potential
- offer targeted opportunities and development programmes that will help redefine and rebuild lives and lifestyles.
We are an essential aspect of Blackpool's provision for its most vulnerable residents and have a growing reputation for our work, results and caring staff. Currently, The Bridge Project helps on average 1,100 people every month.
Some 25 years ago, the Blackpool Salvation Army centre was involved in a volunteer based provision to the visibly homeless in Blackpool. Over the years the work has developed to encompass a number of activities to help vulnerable people in the surrounding community.
Our social enterprise, Manna's Bistro, now serves as a café and provides a learning opportunity for clients of The Bridge Project by enabling them to get involved in all aspects of running and maintaining the business.
The funding also enabled us to create a working partnership with Blackpool Council and the Oasis Night Shelter, for The Bridge to provide resettlement services for night shelter clients. This work has now extended and caters for vulnerable members of the community rather than solely the Night Shelter clients. Thanks to partnerships and joint-working with a number of local organisations a variety of services are offered including:
- Debt advice services
- Early intervention for those just released from prison - to prevent the likelihood of re-offending
- Relevant support services for the top 40 most vulnerable and chaotic families in Blackpool
- Resettlement services - providing early intervention and appropriate support
- GP and medical centre
- A programme for mediation and counselling with the Alcohol and Drugs Services for those in localised alcohol rehabilitation
- A business enterprise ‘Manna's Bistro' which provides the opportunity to gain work experience with vocational and NVQ level qualifications
- A learning centre supported by fully qualified tutors, providing learning and development in a non-threatening environment
These are just a few of the wide variety of services that The Bridge Project provides in Blackpool. A network of agencies refer vulnerable adults to the Bridge Project, they are then interviewed to assess their needs and brought on to an appropriate programme.
We are also able to offer immediate access to a café, showers and washing facilities, a clothing store, food and sleeping bag distribution, and a needle exchange.