BBO Steps to Work are the lead organisation on two Building Better Opportunities (BBO) Projects which aim to help people overcome their barriers and reach their individual goals with expert help and guidance. If you would like to speak to us about either of these projects, you can call us on 01922 627555 or view our list of partner organisations here to find out who you can speak to about accessing the project. The BRIDGES Project Steps to Work are the lead organisation on the BRIDGES project, which covers the Black Country area offering support for people to overcome their barriers no matter and move closer to the job market. Steps to Work has received over £10.5 million from the Big Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund to run the project for three years, alongside partner organisations across the Black Country. EVOLVE Steps to Work are the lead organisation on the Evolve project, which offers the same support to participants in East Staffordshire. It covers Cannock, East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth. The project has received over £3 million from the Big Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund to run the project for three years alongside partner organisations across East Staffordshire. Home BRIDGES Evolve Blog Case Studies Our Funders Sign Up Our Delivery Partners BBO Simon lands business loan and follows his passion “The support from BRIDGES has been phenomenal, I don’t think you realise the help you’ve given me and how it will change my life. You have to try new things in life or you’ll never move forward, although scary it’s part of the adventure” Simon joined the BRIDGES project early November 2016 after meeting the project officer at Walsall Job Centre.Simon had been unemployed for many years after sustaining an injury in his last role. He has always been a keen fisherman and is able to fish anywhere from local canals to competition pools and made his own bait when he was a child.Although he lacked confidence, Simon was keen to explore this further and worked with the project officer to develop a robust business plan as he wanted to progress onto New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) and access a £2500 business start-up loan.They worked on a one to one basis to look at every element of the business from customer base to sales and financial forecasts. The plan was accepted and the loan was granted, he then moved onto NEA. He has now developed and sold some testing baits and is getting ready for the new fishing season.Simon said of the support he had received from Access to Business and BRIDGES: “You’ve helped me focus, I know where I want to be and how to get there” Simon Boguszewicz – Holy Grail Baits