Make a referral

Fairbridge in Greater Manchester receives referrals from a wide range of statutory and voluntary organisations including schools, housing services and hostels, youth offending teams, CAMHS, youth and social services. We also receive referrals directly from parents and young people themselves.

To refer a young person to Fairbridge please contact the Outreach and Development Workers on: 0161 848 9666

• U16 - Brian, Kate or Jacqui
• 16+ - Catherine, Gary or Jacqui

Referral case study

John Plaiter, Trafford Connexions

For the young people that we refer, Fairbridge is a unique opportunity.

Although within Trafford there is good provision in the area in terms of colleges and E2E courses, for young people who do not engage in this, there is very little else.

Fairbridge opens an opportunity for young people to improve their confidence and self esteem, and if they want to, to work towards going to college. Their approach is holistic, working to address each individual’s unique needs.

While Fairbridge offers a wide range of developmental activities, the contact with the outreach workers and development tutors equally important to the young person succeeding in life. The staff never turn anyone away, and offer one to one support when they, or the young person feels it’s needed. They also take ownership of the young people, keeping regular contact with them, even calling in the mornings to make sure everyone remembers they are due in. Although many of the young people we refer move from Fairbridge into college, they are never moved on until both Fairbridge and the young person feel the time is right. Of course, even then, it sometimes still doesn’t work out, but Fairbridge keeps the door open to their young people, welcoming them back.

It’s a testimony to Fairbridge that everyone we have referred has gone back at least once. If they decide they no longer want to attend, the staff will always let us know so that we can get back in contact with them.

Staff here at Connexions know they can refer their most vulnerable young people to Fairbridge to help develop their confidence and motivation. We also know they’ll have a great time while doing it.

Vonnie Archibald, Scheme Manager, Petrie Court

Fairbridge has been fantastic for us: it’s a service we can’t do without. The support we get is invaluable. Many of our clients don’t respond well to a classroom situation, but at Fairbridge they are always in small groups and get treated as individuals. Fairbridge is really supportive and the outreach workers will phone up to get people out of bed in the morning, or check where they are if they don’t turn up for sessions.

Part of the agreement that our tenants have with us is to find a meaningful occupation. This can take many forms, but is vital in helping them avoid depression and low self esteem. Some of the provision for socially excluded young people requires a high level of commitment but at Fairbridge the young people have more say over which sessions they want to attend. This way Fairbridge provides for the young people who are not ready for more intensive programmes.

The residentials Fairbridge runs are fantastic and are often the first time a young person has been out of the city. Sometimes they haven’t seen hills or farm animals before: it challenges them out of their comfort zone and gives them completely new experiences.

Fairbridge works because it helps the young people to build their confidence through experiencing new things and having the opportunity to make choices about their lives in a safe and supported environment.