Bridges is an independent Monmouth-based charity, established in 1984, whose aim has always been to enhance the wellbeing of the local community. The base for its work since 2003 has been Drybridge House, an important part of Monmouth’s heritage.

Drybridge House now opens its doors to young and old alike; its spacious interiors welcoming and able to accommodate the diverse needs of mother and toddler groups, children, young people with learning difficulties and social challenges, the able-bodied, the elderly, the vulnerable and the socially isolated.

Bridges supports vulnerable people
We make a difference to the lives of older people, rurally isolated people, young adults with additional needs, people with mobility challenges and those who are economically disadvantaged.

Bridges is a focus for the community and a place for people to meet
It’s a place where people can be fit and healthy, learn new skills, make friends, build social connections, contribute through volunteering and become more resilient.

Bridges helps sustain locally accessible services
It’s a local base for services from the local authority, charities, voluntary groups, and commercial services.

With more than 60 regular meetings per week – providing a wide range of services from Bereavement Support to the National Childbirth Trust – Bridges plays a vitally important role by offering services to the local community.
We provide a base for four charities, local health visitors and 15 self-help and support groups.

Bridges supports enterprise and job creation
An affordable, connected base for small businesses, business start-ups and freelancers offering hot-desking, permanent occupancy and room rental for meetings.

Drybridge House is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain as it is now being used far more extensively than was ever originally envisaged. 

By the time Bridges reaches its 40th birthday in 2024, we aim to have:

• incorporated all our projects, which are currently dependent on short-term funding, into mainstream provision
• developed new social initiatives in response to the needs of the community e.g. expanding our befriending provision to those with dementia, supporting a social prescribing scheme across the county and developing our community car scheme
• achieved self-sufficiency by increasing the market for weddings, conferences, meetings and catering to provide a secure commercial income stream, as well as consolidating our retail shop operation
• negotiated a new lease with Monmouthshire County Council so that we can stay at Drybridge House for many years to come
• furthered the conservation of historic Drybridge House and its gardens for the benefit of the community
• brought the facilities of the building up to modern standards.

We will not be able to achieve this vision without your financial support.