The Bridge Project was set up in 1985 by a small group of local women in Washington, Tyne & Wear, in the North of England.  With help from a Community Worker they worked together to put in a bid to the European Social Fund to set up a project in Washington that could provide education and training for local women, which incorporated quality childcare to enable them to gain qualifications. 

After months of searching for a building, Sulgrave Hall was found and the first Confidence Building Course for Women started. Once the women completed this course, they wanted to go further, so links with the City of Sunderland College were made and the range of courses expanded to Motor Vehicle Repair, Electrics, Woodwork, Welding and many more.  

Since then the Project has grown into a dynamic voluntary organisation, run by women for women. We now have charitable status and are a Limited Company. All women are welcome at Bridge, using our specialised outreach methods we particularly target areas and groups which are socially excluded and women who have no educational qualifications.

Bridge aims to increase women's confidence, self esteem and support their personal development to enable them to be independant and have control over their own lives and learning activities. Bridge works extensively within the Project and with other agencies to raise awareness of the ways in which gender, race, class, impairment and sexuality can affect women and prevent them reaching their full potential.