Nigeria
To relieve widows and disadvantaged children experiencing financial hardship or other social disadvantage, particularly in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Our beginning
Care passed from one generation to the next
Our story
Continuing a father's example of compassion
The initiative began with Papa Johnson Olatubosun, who supported widows and widowers every year during his lifetime. His consistent compassion established an example of practical care for people facing loss and hardship.
After Papa Johnson Olatubosun passed on, his daughter, Adebola Akin-Odidi, chose to continue his legacy with the support of family and friends. She later formalised the initiative as The Mercy Bridge so that its support could become more consistent, structured, and sustainable.
The vision has since expanded to include disadvantaged children affected by poverty, loss of parental support, and difficult family circumstances. The Mercy Bridge now aims to help vulnerable families in London and Nigeria, particularly Ibadan, Oyo State.
Our journey
From one act of care to wider impact
- 01Papa Johnson's initiative
Papa Johnson Olatubosun supporting widows and widowers every year during his lifetime.
- 02Community support
Family, friends, and others contributing what they could.
- 03Formal charity
A structured organisation designed to provide consistent support.
- 04Wider impact
A sustainable model capable of reaching many more people.
Our purpose
Who we are here to serve
London
To relieve widowed people and disadvantaged children experiencing financial hardship, social isolation, or other social disadvantage.
Our approach
Giving that restores dignity and creates opportunity
Charity is not only about meeting an immediate need. We want people to feel supported, connected, and able to believe their circumstances can change.
Dignity
We see the person before the need and treat every story with respect.
Opportunity
We combine practical help with pathways toward education and greater stability.
Accountability
We will measure our work and remain open about the resources entrusted to us.
Our founder
Adebola Akin-Odidi
Founder, The Mercy Bridge
Governance
Registered organisation and trustees
The Mercy Bridge is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under charity number 1219457.
Adebola Akin-Odidi
Chairman / Lead / Trustee
Akinlaja Odidi
Trustee
Davies Akin-Odidi
Trustee
Our policies
Protecting people, information, and trust
Our policies apply across our activities in the UK and Nigeria and are reviewed by the trustees.
Safeguarding
We have zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment, coercion, neglect, or abuse of trust. Concerns are recorded securely and acted on promptly. Staff and volunteers report concerns rather than investigating allegations themselves, and overseas partners must meet our safeguarding standards.
Where someone is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services, police, or the appropriate local safeguarding authority first.
Privacy and data protection
We collect only the personal information needed for our work and handle it lawfully, fairly, securely, and transparently. Access is limited to those who need it, with additional care for children's and special-category data.
We do not publish a beneficiary's name, photograph, story, or identifying details without an appropriate lawful basis and suitable consent or expectation.
Complaints
Beneficiaries, donors, volunteers, staff, trustees, partners, and members of the public may complain verbally, in writing, or through an accessible alternative. We aim to acknowledge complaints within five working days and normally provide a written outcome within 20 working days.
An internal review by an uninvolved trustee may be requested, normally within 10 working days. Serious safeguarding, fraud, criminal, or regulatory concerns will be escalated.
Contact us or make a complaint