our roots

It’s no surprise that at the end of the First World War women in Britain decided it was time to let their hair down. Women had made a significant contribution to the war effort and the start of the 1920’s was a time to p.a. r. t. y.  The fun didn’t last though, and by the mid 20’s unemployment soared and poverty was widespread. A group of radical women formed an organisation with the aim of supporting the intellectual, physical, spiritual and moral interests of its members.

Today, the work carried out by The Bridge continues in the spirit and drive of those feisty, pioneering women. Our work is rooted in their principles.

Read more about women’s empowerment

the 'old' charity to today

The Charity was initially set up to fill a growing need after the WW1, a time when many young women were moving to London to find work. It was called the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Central Club, and it provided a safe space where women living in, moving to or visiting London could meet – as well as a space to support their intellectual, spiritual, physical, social and ‘moral’ needs.

The ‘old’ Charity provided accommodation, a café, a gym and swimming pool to the local community. 

A partnership back in 1933 with The City Lit pioneered the first of many educational programmes run by the YWCA Central Club, starting with classes for unemployed women, and later branching out into programmes for music, cookery and languages. 

Today all of our programmes have a focus on health, fitness or wellbeing, which are still in line with those very first programmes we ran in 1933!

The Charity’s roots have always advocated a connection between people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Today, as The Bridge Central, we follow a more modern context of spiritual support; ‘respect for self and others’ and general ‘well-being’. This can mean different things to different people – from relaxation, meditation and yoga classes to spaces for young Muslim women to pray. 

We continue to build on the Charity’s strong past tradition of partnership work, promoting women’s health, fitness and wellbeing and delivering innovative activities and programmes.