Where we work

Fairbridge West works in the following areas: Bristol, South, Gloucestershire, Bath, North and North East Somerset.

Local area map

Issues our young people face

Henry Lawes, Partnership Development Officer, Fairbridge:

"There is a lot of money in the centre of Bristol. The economy is booming, but it has meant that a lot of local people have been pushed out into the surrounding estates.

Here they can become isolated, at risk of social exclusion and the communities face a range of problems that have adversely affected its young people.

One of the main issues is with the schools. Truancy and exclusion rates are really high and our young people can often feel let down by the education they have received. Some schools are at the bottom of achievement league tables and Bristol has double the national truancy figures.

The high exclusion rate can lead to further problems, as expelled students are more likely to commit crime and less likely to move into employment or training.

As a result deprived areas have a large number of young people not in employment, education or training, a higher rate of young offenders and an established pattern of anti-social behaviour".