How we build stronger communities

To build stronger communities, we encourage sharing of people's passions and visions for the future. We also encourage conversations and knowledge sharing around:

how many complex problems, including alcohol and other drug problems, have underlying contributing factors
how to build on strengths and skills of people, groups and communities for addressing the problems and the contributing factors
ways to strengthening relationships and work together in families, communities and across organisations to address the challenges we face and build more resilient communities

By working with other organisations, we help people to gain new personal skills as well as skills for community building. We support people to share their experiences, stories and ideas through community projects such as:

Workshops for parents
Children's workshops
Film and photography workshops for young people at schools
Music, drama and art activities
Training and education sessions
Community events

These kinds of activities encourage increased understanding of people and groups. Participants can contribute and share their strengths while forming new relationships and connections. Bridges promotes and profiles people’s creative ideas and stories at events, through publications, films, other creative expressions and on the Bridges website. We encourage shared leadership in our communities.

To address drug issues, we implement both drug-specific and non-drug specific strategies. For instance, we work to strengthen relationships in families and communities. At the same time we provide or link people to information on drugs. We also provide counselling for substance users and their families as needed. Counsellors use the collaborative, strengths-based model of the Bridges Network Approach to support clients in individual and group settings. Where possible, Bridges' counselling services link with community development activities because this integrated approach helps clients to be more connected to and supported in their communities.

We also engage communities to address drug issues using the Bridges Network Approach.