Centre goes the extra mile to win top award

A shopping centre has a spring in its step after being rewarded for its support of a training organisation.

Sunderland’s the Bridges has been named Supporting Business of the Year in the Spring board Trust’ s GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Awards, in recognition of its on-going commitment to the training provider.

The centre has been working with Springboard –which aims to create sustainable communities through training, apprenticeships and opportunities for unemployed people – for three years.

Springboard, which has a unit in the Bridges, has worked with the centre to create a quiet room which families with children with autism or learning difficulties can use to have time out.

The Springboard Access Point unit allows shoppers to access free careers and education information, advice and guidance and to participate in training.

Steve Reay, chief executive of Spring board, said: “The Access point has proved a huge success since its launch, allowing learners of all ages and abilities to access their free training in a fantastic city centre venue and this has been even more essential throughout the challenges of Covid-19. The Bridges was awarded best Supporting Partner 2020 as a result of the close work carried out between our two organisations throughout the pandemic.”

Karen Eve, centre director, said: “Springboard does a fantastic job in providing a whole range of services and opportunities for people of all ages and we are glad to be able to continue to support them.”