The services offered to young people by the Musselburgh-based Bridges Project were showcased to visitors last week.

More than 70 people attended a professionals’ open day at the facility on Bogpark Road after which “great feedback” was received.

They included councillors Shamin Akhtar, Fiona Dugdale, Andy Forrest and Cher Cassini, and Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh.

Representatives from schools, other local charities, funders, social work, Skills Development Scotland, Department of Work & Pensions, National Health Service and Mid and East Lothian Drugs (MELD) also enjoyed seeing the work of the project first-hand. The Bridges Project is a charity which works with young people in East Lothian and Midlothian. It helps them take their next steps in life such as getting back into school, finding a job or an apprenticeship, or getting the help they need.

Two young people, who are listening peer mentors, spoke to those present and two young ambassdors conducted an “Instagram takeover.” Throughout the day the young ambassadors posted several videos, photos and stories on the project’s Instagram feed. They took photos of staff and visitors, and conducted short interviews with staff and a trustee.

The visitors were also treated to snacks and homemade cakes.

CEO Emma Scarcliffe said: “We were absolutely thrilled to welcome 74 visitors to our professionals’ open day. I was truly overwhelmed with the amount of support from so many external colleagues, partners and stakeholders and the day went by in a flash. The atmosphere was incredible and we all thoroughly enjoyed being able to host a face-to-face event like this again after doing so many online meetings during Covid.

“My thanks to the incredible staff at Bridges Project, all our visitors and supporters and, of course, our wonderful young ambassadors and peer mentors who joined us on the day to talk about their experiences, interview visitors, take over our social media platforms and even bake.

“We look forward to doing it all again next year.”