Changing Bridges’ own context: building supportive networks

Given Bridges Network Approach’s theme "Recognising and changing contexts", it is important to consider Bridges’ own context.  

At the same time as providing counselling services, Bridges has been partnering with others to reduce and prevent alcohol and other drug related problems through undertaking strengths-based strategies for long-term and broader contextual change. Yet the alcohol and other drug field is a field that is defined by "the problem", and which is not known for working to address the broader interconnecting issues.

In addition, Bridges has been mainly operating from short-term funding. Like many small community organisations, this has mostly come from government funding. Bridges has an ongoing(renewable) project funding base of $155,000 per year from two different government sources.  Any additional funding is temporary and requires separate reporting. In recent years our annual funding base has averaged $680,000 per year from between five and ten funding sources.

Despite the funding challenges, Bridges has had periods of growth and has developed extensive networks of support.

In 1999 Bridges (then called Blacktown Alcohol and other Drugs Family Services)' funding base covered the equivalent of two full-time staff, and with increasing costs each year in real terms this funding base was decreasing. At this time, despite being seen as an innovative organisation with  social capital strategies and a strong vision for the future, there was limited financial support for Bridges.

Many small organisations were facing similar challenges. In general small organisations were operating in an environment  or context where there was limited understanding of their value and potential, and therefore limited support for them.

Concern for the Bridges' future viability as well as that of other innovative and responsive small community organisations led Bridges' Manager to begin raising the organisation's sustainability issues as common issues for the sector. Bridges' advocacy and collaborative efforts with grassroots and peak body stakeholders led to the establishment of Voice for SONG. Voice for SONG promoted the value and raised the profile of small community organisations, and in doing so changed Bridges' context. Many people and organisations increased their understanding of the value of small community organisations. Bridges ' context changed as it also became more valued and supported.

In many other ways, Voice for SONG has contributed to Bridges' survival and development. Bridges benefited from new relationships and networks formed through Voice for SONG. Conference presentations on Voice for SONG raised the profile of Bridges. Using her "voice" and her struggles as Manager of Bridges, Tirrania Suhood promoted her experience as common for many managers of small community organisations (Passion Challenge and Hope, 2000). The decreased isolation from sharing her experience, supportive partnerships and increased project funding enabled Tirrania to remain with the organisation and progress the development of Bridges Network Approach.

To increase understanding of Bridges' value and potential, in 2002 Bridges promoted itself  as a  model_of_a_small_community organisation, while encouraging promotion of other models of small community organisations. In the same year, Nirimba TAFE students ran a campaign for funding for Bridges.

Over time, Bridges has also benefited from many other networks that have developed. Bridges has gone from strength to strength, despite the ongoing challenges that come with operating on short-term funding. Bridges’ resilience and success relies on our relationships, partnerships and our innovative approach to addressing drug issues and strengthening communities. This includes the relationships we have with individual funders who have been supportive and who have been able to think outside the square.The name change from  BADFS to Bridges has also institutionalised the organisation's systemic and network-building or "bridging" approach to addressing issues, including alcohol and other drug issues.

Bridges continues to be active in Voice for SONG and to advocate for improved funding models and more supportive policies and environments for small community organisations.

While Bridges has strengthened, the challenges related to short term project funding continue. We are now putting out a  Call to Action