About us
From an idea in 2006 to building a team of 5 members of staff and 18 volunteers from diverse backgrounds
The Bridge Plus+ was set up by Pa Musa Jobarteh and Gervais Kouloungou-Mambs.
Pa Musa and Gervais identified a need for a community-based, user-led service tailored to the information and advice needs of ethnic minorities and migrant communities in Norwich. Supported in 2010-2012 by MENTER (East of England BME network), The Bridge Plus+ first registered in 2012 as a not-for-profit company.
Meet the team
Béatrice Humarau
Executive Coordinator
Béatrice first joined The Bridge Plus+ in 2012 as project officer. Béatrice took over the management of the organisation when Pa Musa Jobarteh, founder of The Bridge Plus+ left the position in 2018.
Corine Sylong
Advice and Advocacy Coordinator
(part-time)
Corine joined The Bridge Plus+ at the end of 2022. She previously held HR and administrative positions, while volunteering for other local charities working with asylum-seekers and refugees.
Elizabeth Morgan
Advice and Advocacy Coordinator
(part-time)
Elizabeth first joined The Bridge Plus+ as an intern in 2019. She became a member of staff early 2020. Elizabeth has a background in research and translation.
Manuel Pereira
Project Advocate
Manuel first joined The Bridge Plus+ as a volunteer in 2017. Manuel worked in the care sector before becoming a member of staff at The Bridge Plus+ in 2018.
Rasha Ibrahim
Advice and Advocacy Coordinator
(part-time)
Rasha has been with The Bridge Plus+ since Autumn 2022. Before joining The Bridge Plus+, Rasha worked in education and in support roles for other local partner charities.
The Bridge Plus+ Volunteers
Office-based roles
Administrative and logistical support in the office; triage role for service user queries
Community event roles
Community chefs, kitchen assistants, community engagement assistants
The Bridge Plus+ key milestones
2012-2013
Grant award from Norfolk County Council to employ paid staff and pilot an information, advice and advocacy service at The Blue House on Muspole St. The report of our Norfolk Racial Equality Pilot Project is launched.
2013-2015
Volunteer-led again, The Bridge Plus+ moves to Sackville Place on Magdalen St and carries on with advice and advocacy work as well as community engagement activities, albeit on a reduced capacity
2014
The Bridge Plus+ launches its first issue of its B-ME community magazine
2015-2018
Having formed the Norwich Integration Partnership (NIP) with New Routes and English+, The Bridge Plus+ and NIP partners secure their first multi-year grant thanks to Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities Programme. The Bridge Plus+ successfully registers with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) at Level 1.
2017
NIP is awarded Norwich Civic Charity project of the year by the Lord-Mayor and Sheriff.
2018-2021
NIP partners secured a second multi-year grant from the Lottery’s Reaching Communities programme.
2020
The Bridge Plus+ joins the Steering Group of the Norfolk Community Advice Network (NCAN)
2020-2021
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we launch a telephone information, advice and advocacy service. 30% increase in our level of activity between April 2020 and April 2021. We work closely with New Routes and English+ in order to offer a wide range of practical and financial support to our service users throughout the pandemic.
2022
Partnerships grant secured from the National Lottery Community Fund. Face-to-face appointments with service users and community lunch events resume. in recognition for our work during the pandemic, The Bridge Plus+ team is awarded a commemorative plaque by The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Marian Prinsley.
2023
The Bridge Plus+ moves to its new offices at The Charing Cross Centre on St John Maddermarket.