A new initiative to improve employability for people with additional needs and learning disabilities, Building Bridges, is set to launch in autumn this year. This collaborative project between the Octagon, Bolton Wanderers in the Community, and The Met, Bury, is made possible by investment from Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Collaborate Fund. This highly competitive funding programme backs innovative projects that will make a meaningful difference to communities.

Building Bridges will create transformative opportunities in theatre, music, and sport for people with additional needs and learning disabilities. The project aims to unlock individual skills and talents, bridging the gap between participation and employment, and responding to the needs identified through the lived experiences of people the organisations currently work with.

This innovative project is designed to break down barriers, providing a supportive, inclusive and safe environment where participants will work closely with experienced mentors to increase confidence, communication and teamwork - building essential employability and leadership skills.

Roddy Gauld, Chief Executive, Octagon Theatre, commented: We’re really excited about this new project for people with additional needs and learning disabilities. Building Bridges will provide skills and experience for people to use their talents to build sustainable careers in the arts and sports. We’re delighted to be joining forces with Bolton Wanderers in the Community and The Met in Bury. With this funding from GMCA, we will be able to provide specialist mentoring and training, career signposting, and networking with employers. In a year’s time, we’ll have a cohort of amazing people ready to work professionally in arts, sports and elsewhere, and contributing to a more inclusive Greater Manchester.

Hayley Ranicar, Health and Communities Manager, Bolton Wanderers in the Community remarked: “We are delighted to be working with new and existing partners within the arts and culture sector to provide new and innovative opportunities to our community. Partnerships like this help to support our mission to create sustainable pathways that transform lives, enabling our Bolton community to thrive and succeed.”

Steph Meskell-Brocken: Engagement and Access Manager, The Met, Bury said: “The Met are thrilled to be part of this exciting collaboration, making important and strong connections between the arts and sports to further opportunities for some of the most marginalised people in our society. It’s an extremely exciting project that has the potential to make real change to people’s lives and to society.”

Councillor Neil Emmott, Greater Manchester Lead for Culture, remarked: “The Collaborate fund is all about connection - bringing together communities, local authorities, cultural organisations and individuals to work in new and creative ways. This investment is a great example of how we can use culture to build stronger partnerships and tackle shared challenges.

“By supporting collaboration across sectors and places, we’re helping to create a more inclusive and joined-up cultural landscape across Greater Manchester.”

Cllr Nadeem Ayub, Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Culture said: “The Octagon is one of the jewels in our cultural crown and a vibrant celebration of our town’s creativity and community spirit. 
“They have always been part of a thriving cultural landscape in Bolton, and this investment will continue to showcase the rich culture of the town.
“I look forward to seeing how this collaboration between the Octagon Theatre, Bolton Wanderers in the Community and The Met Bury, provides opportunities to unlock new skills and talents.”

The funding is part of a wider ambition to embed culture into all aspects of life in Greater Manchester and to ensure the benefits of creative engagement span across the city-region in an inclusive manner.

By investing in collaboration through the fund, GMCA aims to build a strong foundation for long-term impact by creating networks and partnerships that continue to grow well beyond the life of each project.

The Octagon will be announcing plans for the project soon. If you’d like to be part of it, please subscribe to the Octagon’s Creative Engagement mailing list, www.octagonbolton.co.uk/creative-engagement , you’ll be the first to receive the details before anyone else.