Bridge the Gap CIC

Bridge the Gap is passionate about supporting children's emotional wellbeing through relationship focused emotional literacy early intervention for families in the community.

Building Bridges to Better Mental Health

Finding support that felt safe was impossible for me. As a child, I never felt like I had enough time to be brave, to put my feelings into words, or to truly be heard. That experience stayed with me. It put me off accessing help for over 20 years. Then, when I became a parent, I found myself searching again – desperate for something different, something that didn’t exist.

At Bridge the Gap, we do things differently. We bridge healthcare, education and lived experience to create a space where children feel safe, valued and truly seen. Our approach is non-clinical and relationship-focused because we know how important those first experiences of support are. We offer 1:1 emotional literacy interventions that meet children where they are – not where we expect them to be. It’s about giving them time, patience, and a space that feels safe enough to be brave in. Alongside our early intervention work, we provide mental health assessments, play therapy and clinical supervision, ensuring support is available at different levels of need.

We work with children and families, offering small group sessions on topics such as anxiety, anger and worry, helping both children and their parents understand more around emotions and navigating them. We believe emotional wellbeing shouldn’t feel out of reach. That’s why we’re in the community, offering support that’s accessible and proactive.

In 2024 alone, we delivered 4,595 emotional literacy sessions, supporting 382 children. Time and time again, we hear the same phrase from those who come through our doors: “This is a safe space.” Children leave our sessions feeling more confident, with real strategies to navigate their emotions. Our work doesn’t just support children – it strengthens families and builds a community that understands the importance of emotional wellbeing.

Winning the King’s Award for Voluntary Service is a testament to what we’ve built. Volunteers are at the heart of our work, helping us reach more children and families in ways that feel kind and human. We want every child to know: You matter. You are loved. You are not alone.

Our website and YouTube channel are filled with free resources, and we provide training for schools and professionals to create meaningful, lasting change. We also work hard to be a sustainable organisation, ensuring that our support will be here for years to come.

Our space on St. Mary’s Gate is a place where children and can connect and access advice and support. If you’re looking for guidance or just have questions, you can call us on 01332 600827 for a free 15-minute discovery call.

I founded Bridge the Gap because I didn’t have a space like this when I needed it most. But now, it exists. And we will keep fighting to keep it as accessible for as many children as possible.

www.jwbridgethegap.com

@bridgethegap_cmh

info@jwbridgethegap.com