Bridging the Christchurch Community for 50 Years
Christchurch Bridge celebrated 50 years of work in their community on Monday 17 April. Their hall was full with current and ex-clients, family members and staff, all present to recognise the valuable work of the numerous programmes and services run through the Bridge. National Director of Addiction Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS), Lt-Colonel Rod Carey shared some of the history of the service in Christchurch, and considered ‘how many people must have come through these doors in 50 years?’
Lt-Colonels Ian and Lynette Hutson both shared memories of volunteering at the Bridge as weekend managers in its early days, and with Lynette continuing on to be appointed as the nurse aide at Bridge, despite having no nurse training. Ian reminisced on the changing nature of addictions programmes over those 50 years and recounted how he sold tobacco to clients at the Bridge’s tuck shop, as they weren’t able to go offsite to purchase it elsewhere.
Those in attendance had the privilege of hearing stories from previous clients through the Bridge programmes, with some returning to share their experiences of sobriety after going through the programme 30 and 40 years ago. There was also a special moment where one returning client and his nephew, who had also gone through the programme, were invited to cut the cake celebrating this milestone for the Bridge.
In the afternoon, the celebrations pivoted to launch Major Sue Hay’s new book, Stepping into Life. Sue is the director of Bridge Christchurch. Lynette honoured Sue’s hard work on the book, explaining that ‘the grace of the author shines through in this book’. Stepping into Life, which offers reflections on healing using the framework of the 12 Steps from Alcoholics Anonymous, is available for purchase through The Salvation Army’s Salvationist Resources Department.
Sue reflected on a quote from her husband’s uncle, Lt-Colonel Frank Hay, at the opening of the Bridge 50 years ago, who said that they were ‘hoping to build something worthwhile’. After hearing from those whose lives have been changed by the work of these programmes, it seems that this hope is continuing to be realised half a century later.
