Making a real difference through training and research 

Building Bridges Training CIC is an independent social enterprise which makes a difference to people’s lives through delivering training, research, easy read and creating resources.

Our mission is to enable people with a learning disability to be included and have full and valued roles in their local community. We do this through our co-produced and co-delivered services.

  • Everything we do is driven by the lived experience of people with a learning disability.

  • Co-production and co-delivery are at the heart of everything.

  • Fun, laughter and pub lunches keep us going!

Two women sitting at a table in a meeting room, with a projector in the foreground. The woman on the left has blonde hair, glasses, and a striped sweater, looking to her left. The woman on the right has dark hair and is wearing a white sweater with red sleeves.
A family of four drawn with coloured pencils, standing side by side. The children are smaller with distinct outfits, and the adults are taller. The family includes one adult woman, one adult man, and two children all smiling.

For the community

Building Bridges is a social enterprise. We are registered as a Community Interest Company, this type of company exists to make a difference to people in the community. This means that our profits are used to further fund the projects we do; including social campaigns, research projects and producing the easy read resources.

Meet the team

  • An illustration drawn with coloured pencil of a woman with blond hair and glasses

    Chrissie

    MEMBER

    I started at Building Bridges in the early days, and I have a lot of different jobs. I am an artist for our easy read work, I also work on our easy read projects and join meetings, go to conferences and am a researcher. I particularly like doing research, as it gives me the chance to visit new places and meet people. Changing the lives of people with learning disabilities is important to me because it will make a difference. When I’m not with Building Bridges, I am a volunteer at a charity shop where I’m known as the queen of tagging! I also like taking part in social events and like going on day trips. 

  • An illustration drawn with coloured pencil of a man with dark hair, blue eyes and a West Bromwich Albion football shirt

    Darren

    MEMBER

    I joined Building Bridges in 2023. I am part of the easy read team, am a researcher, and a conference presenter! I love being part of Building Bridges, it gives me more confidence, especially after presenting at a conference for the first time. It’s important to me that people with learning disabilities are treated equally and have equal rights. In my spare time I like doing park runs and recently celebrated my 100th park run! I also like gaming, meeting friends, and do various activities with Special Olympics.

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    Kraig

    MEMBER

    I started at Building Bridges in 2008 and do a little bit of everything, including research, going to conferences, parent training and easy read. My favourite thing about Building Bridges is getting to meet new people, and I think it’s important that people with learning disabilities can have better lives. When I’m not with Building Bridges, I like going to Special Olympics and social events with friends.

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    Trevor

    MEMBER

    At Building Bridges I help with our easy reads and do research. I am very good at breakout games and getting people talking, and giving people advice on independent travelling. It's important that people with a learning disability are included. I’m a massive Albion fan! I play snooker and lots of other social activities with friends.

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    Fran

    DIRECTOR & MEMBER

    I joined Building Bridges around 2016, and in my role I create easy-read documents and am a researcher. I really enjoy that everyone at Building Bridges gets along and we’re all understanding of one another. I think it’s really important that people understand that every person with a learning disability or autism is different, and not everyone likes to be labelled. When I’m not with Building Bridges, I am doing activities with another group and am a volunteer in a local charity shop. I am also a DJ at a social club on Saturdays! 

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    Nazia

    MEMBER

    I started at Building Bridges in around 2008. My main jobs are helping with easy read and doing parent training. I enjoy socialising and meeting new people. I think it’s important that people without learning disabilities learn about people with learning disabilities. Outside of Building Bridges, I am a mom so I am often doing the school run or doing social activities with friends.

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    Teresa

    MEMBER

    I started at Building Bridges in 2008, and I take part in training and research. I’m passionate about teaching people that haven’t got learning disabilities about learning disabilities, so that they can understand better. It is important to me that people with learning disabilities are seen as human, to be noticed and for people to listen to what we have to say. When I’m not with Building Bridges, I’m usually at home making bags and diamond art pictures, or making things with lego.

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    Vicky

    BOOKKEEPER

    I do bookkeeping and invoicing for Building Bridges, and have been here since 2014! The thing I enjoy most about Building Bridges is the people, and it’s important to me that people with learning disabilities receive equal and fair opportunities, and they have a voice. When I’m not with Building Bridges, I do bookkeeping and accountancy for work and enjoy reading, yoga and hiking with my dogs.

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    Chloe

    PROJECT WORKER

    I started at Building Bridges in 2024, and my role is to support Building Bridges members with different projects, such as producing easy read and conducting research. I really enjoy working at Building Bridges as it gives me the opportunity to make a difference. I also think that everyone is really good company and I love our trips to the pub! It is important that people with learning disabilities have access to fulfilling opportunities and can be full citizens in society. In my spare time I love shopping in the charity shops, gaming or gardening. 

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    Liz

    DIRECTOR

    I set up Building Bridges in 2008 and my role involves developing the organisation, training, and producing easy text of larger documents. I love the team work and fun we have together, and seeing people grow and develop in confidence. It is important to me that they can live full and safe lives, and be included as equals. In my spare time I love running and walking in the countryside, and looking after my 4 cats.

  • An illustration drawn with coloured pencil of a man with long grey hair and a grey goatee beard wearing a brown shirt

    Gareth

    DIRECTOR & DESIGNER

    I’ve been with Building Bridges pretty much from the beginning. My role is to design what the team produces and document what we do visually as required, involving design of easy read documents to shooting & editing video and anything else. I really enjoy the fun of working with the team and understanding and interpreting the needs of people with learning difficulties and other challenges so everyone can be treated equally and everyone has access to, and can understand, the same information easily. In my spare time I am a fine artist, illustrator & graphic designer. I also perform regularly in 2 different bands as a guitarist. I love travelling, popular science and new tech.

  • An illustration drawn with coloured pencil of a man with short grey hair and beard wearing a black t-shirt

    Steve

    DIRECTOR & DESIGNER

    I’ve loved working with Building Bridges since 2023, helping to create easy read documents and advise on communications. Originally from the Black Country, I’ve lived in London for 30 years working in advertising, so it’s been great to reconnect with such a wonderful organisation back in my home region.

Find out more about us

Discover more about what we do by downloading our info sheet below.

Download info sheet
A drawing with coloured pencils of a person with ginger spiky hair sitting in a chair at a table, smiling, there is a notepad and a marker pen on the table.

Illustrations by Chrissie

The illustrations on our website and our holiday films have been produced by Chrissie at Building Bridges. Chrissie has a unique style and includes many lovely details in her work. She creates most pictures from memory of the people and places in her illustrations. She is naturally creative and loves to do crafting and card making at home.

If you would like to commission a bespoke set of images from Chrissie, please get in touch with us! We would need to know topics and timelines required so we can let you know a cost.