Would you like to make a real difference, support the mental wellbeing of your workforce and help to save lives on London’s Bridges?
It’s hard to think of Central London without thinking of its famous landmarks: the River Thames, witness to many historical events. The river weaves and snakes its way past London’s most impressive architecture and iconic buildings, including the Greenwich Naval College, Saint Paul’s Cathedral or the houses of parliament, and modern triumphs like the Shard and the Tate Modern. A centuries old source of prosperity for residents of our bustling capital and primary transport thoroughfare, at the heart of the city, are its nine iconic bridges. From Tower to Blackfriars and Millennium Bridge, they each provide a snapshot of British history and serve as an essential North-South connection for the people of our city! Every hour, of every day tens of thousands of people: residents, tourists and workers, cross London’s many bridges.
But regrettably, our bridges also have a darker story to tell. Almost every day, the lives of many residents, workers and visitors to London, hang in the balance. In today’s modern world, pressures can mount and quickly reach crisis point; for some, the River Thames is often their last, desperate thought. The Bridge Watch programme offers hope and support to people who are at their most vulnerable and provides a welcome dimension of relief to the existing response agencies who are overwhelmed and under funded.
Bridge Watch was set up in 2023 with a clear mission to raise awareness of the dangers that entering the water can have and to work together to prevent unnecessary loss of life on our Bridges. Bridge Watch exclusively operates using a presence of volunteers, to patrol the bridges that span the Thames, working in partnership with numerous agencies to equip volunteers with professional training and safeguarding methods in order to identify and safely engage with any vulnerable individual they encounter on the bridges.
Bridge Watch is a force for good for the Central London community, may it be residents, its many workers or tourists. The volunteers are there to look after everyone and make the Square Mile a flourishing, vibrant and safe public place and destination.
You may have noticed the team of volunteers in their green jackets or jumpers, walking along the bridges and offering a compassionate ear to anyone who needs it.
Since its launch, many exceptional people have volunteered their time to help and made a real difference to the mental wellbeing of the people of London. After vetting and ongoing training, the growing volunteer teams have tallied around 1000 hours of patrolling so far, actively providing a physical presence of skilled people with an aim to intervene with those indicating intent to enter the water of the Thames – with your help and support we can do even more.
To date we are proud to say that positive interventions have been made with 61 individuals displaying signs of significant mental crisis; on 23 of those occasions, it was determined that there was a very high risk of those people entering the Thames to end their lives. We can’t say for certain how many, but it’s very likely that a significant number of people are alive now for the presence of the volunteers of Bridge Watch.
It’s a start that has exceeded expectations, but we cannot do this alone.
If you are passionate about protecting the positive mental health of your colleagues and community, if you want to make a difference – join us in the fight to save lives We need people who believe as firmly as we do that every life matters. Will you stand with us?
Bridge Watch needs you! – We are actively recruiting volunteers for the Bridge Watch team. To learn more and express your interest in contributing to this vital project, please see the website bridgewatch.uk
Bridge Watch Volunteer Profile
Meet Naina, one of our incredible Bridge Watch volunteers
Bridge Watch Team – Naina Maier
We sat down with Naina Maier (26) a London student finding connection through helping others
How did you find and become involved with Bridge Watch?
As a student living in London, I came across Bridge Watch at my university volunteering fair. People close to me were struggling with their mental health at the time and I wanted to educate myself and actively do something more to help.
Did you have any prior experience or training?
No, I had no experience in volunteering or working with people who are feeling suicidal, but I joined Bridge Watch feeling reassured that I’d receive the proper training and support of more experienced volunteers and this was absolutely the case. I also liked that Bridge Watch offers flexible hours and the opportunity to start with short patrols before building up with more experience.
How did you feel at the start? Were you apprehensive at all?
I was initially nervous, as I didn’t know how I’d react during an intervention. However, when the time came, I realised my training had given me the skills and knowledge I needed, and that I could trust myself. In that moment when someone really needs help, I’ve learned to follow my instinct.
Can you share an example of a time you made a difference as a Bridge Watch volunteer?
During one intervention, we approached someone who was feeling very lonely, and simply talking helped them feel that people care. This is what Bridge Watch is all about – we are people who care and want to help those who don’t see a way out or are feeling particularly alone at that time.
Following an intervention, Bridge Watch volunteers are offered support by The Listening Place, if needed, and they also work as a support network for each other.
Volunteering for Bridge Watch has been a rewarding experience for Naina, plus she’s realised some unexpected benefits – regular exercise, a sense of community, new friends from a range of backgrounds, and new skills that are benefiting her in all areas of her life.
