Crossing The Bridge (Socrates/Grundtvig)

• Thematic framework: Education
• Geographical outreach: International
• Types of project: Awareness-raising
  
  
• Beneficiary countries:
  - United Kingdom
  - Greece
  - Spain
  - Germany
  - Poland
  
  
• Main responsible:
  Julia Staniforth
  Staffordshire ACL,
  Tipping Street,
  Stafford ST16 2DH - Stafford
  United Kingdom

Summary of the activities
The project brings together learners from deprived areas from the five countries involved through a round robin set of visits to each country. The aim of the project is to introduce the learners to the culture of each country through the visits as well as learning activities in between visits. As an integral part of the project learners are given the opportunity to learn a little of the language of each country and are encouraged to use their new language skills on the visits.

The partnership developed from an interest in inter-culture dialogue and awareness for learners, currently limited by social exclusion and disadvantage. All partners cited that learners attending their organisation had limited experience of travel and lacked confidence to travel alone. The name of the project ‘Crossing the Bridge as hosts and guests’ comes from an explanation provided by a partner: “The river Rhine separates the city of Cologne into two halves. Many people from deprived areas of the eastern part of the town have never crossed the river for the western parts of the cities (and vice versa). For varying reasons they would never cross, not even if the other part of the city offered better chances of living, working, greater economic prosperity or learning opportunities”.

Therefore, the project will deliver opportunities for inter-cultural awareness, explore traditions and share life-perspectives on aspiration, seeking employment and inclusion. A key activity of the project will be offering mobility opportunities to learners.

Main partners
- Staffordshire County Council Adult & Community Learning Service (ACL)
- Starostwo Powiatowe W Bedzinie Municipality In BĘdzin
- Gustav- Stresemann Institut E. V. Europaische-und Bildungsstatte
- Second Chance School of Korydallos
- AAPA Establicimiento Penitenciario de Tenerife (Prison Institution of Tenerife,
Canary Islands.)