What is TPO Bridge?
TPO Bridge is a community initiative from The People’s Orchestra, with a long and distinguished history of helping unemployed people into work. We provide work experience in the arts and music sector, along with practical help to give you the tools to get back into employment. We have helped over 1000 people get back into work since 2013.
What we do...
TPO Bridge is a project that helps unemployed people of all ages find a route back into paid employment. Recognising that people have very different needs, TPO Bridge takes great care in creating Individual Plans to ensure that the support provided is appropriate. This is done by a series of 1:1 appointments with our in-house Employment Liaison Officer, Mariann. Support can include assistance with work placements, CV creation, impressing at job interviews, confidence building and more. Our work placements contribute to a behind-the-scenes office team, as well as concert day and events support for the orchestras and choirs.
We are experts in helping some of our most vulnerable participants to grow in confidence and knowledge, supporting them to recognise their own unique personal skills to benefit their new employers. The People’s Orchestra also operates a unique online service, which allows our participants to access resources, such as interview technique and non-work-related workshops, remotely from home or wherever is convenient.
This is a free service.
“I feel more positive about the future and not so anxious. The support and guidance was fantastic. I’ve recommended TPO Bridge to other people in the same situation as me."
"Please do not be ashamed of accessing help."
"I found the whole experience really fulfilling… It’s been a positive journey of learning from beginning to end."
Where are we?
We operate from our Head Office in West Bromwich and our services cover the Black Country. We also provide an outreach service, often in local Jobcentres, to offer a bit more support to those who lack the confidence to come directly to us.
This service is free of charge and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, Henry Smith Charitable Foundation and Trusthouse.
Travel information: Can be accessed by downloading the PDF
Venue Details: West Bromwich Town Hall, High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8DT 0121 569 545
Contacts: Mariann Harris – 0121 569 2614
Methods of Transport:
Tram/ Metro Station – Available stops for Town Hall Access are West Bromwich Bus Station or Lodge Road.
Bus Station – 4H (Stops at Victoria Street/Bus Station), 74 (High Street, directly at front of Town Hall), 79 (approaching from the opposite direction, directly at front of Town Hall).
Driving – There is a carpark available at the back of the Town Hall.
How to get in contact:
We continue to provide a remote support service during the Coronavirus lockdown and beyond. We have extended our usual hours of Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm, as well as Friday 9am – 1pm, specifically to give a listening ear and a friendly voice at the end of a telephone to this struggling with isolation and job loss.
Contact form:
You can also book an initial consultation with our Employment Liaison Officer Mariann to discuss your needs and to plan how we can help you. There is no fee involved.
Our Impact:
Our community work has provided 1800+ work placements to our volunteers, improving their confidence and chosen skill set so that they are able to enter the workforce with competence.
We have helped many people to enter the workforce, from those with no experience to those with many years of expertise. To date we have supported 1000+ unemployed people to enter the sector of their dreams, and we continue to work with many marginalised groups in our community.
Of the people we supported in the last 12 months
56% had a disability
29% were carers
28% were young people under 24 years old
72% came from the 30% most deprived areas of England
"I’ve been working with TPO for a year now, and I want to keep coming for as long as possible.”
"The help and support I received was second to none and really did help me through an extremely difficult period in my life."
"The support I received was excellent, my CV was improved massively… I like to think my new CV gave my employers the reason to follow up my application with an interview. You might be old like me, and have loads of experience, but always be available to listen and take help when offered, it might be one small thing that you change that works better for you."
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
