- What We Do -
Bridging The Gap
Bridging the Gap provides essential items to children and young people facing the challenges of poverty, helping to ensure they have the dignity, confidence and resources they need to thrive.
Throughout the year, we distribute a wide range of practical support, including toiletries for teenagers, warm winter coats, Christmas gifts, filled pencil cases for Year 6 and secondary-aged pupils, family hygiene packs that promote good dental health, and much more. These everyday essentials can make a life-changing difference for families struggling with the rising cost of living.
Our team carefully sorts and prepares every donation before delivering them to our network of partner schools. School staff then ensure support reaches the children and families who need it most.
The impact goes far beyond the items themselves. A warm winter coat means a child can walk to school comfortably and confidently. A pencil case filled with stationery helps a young person feel prepared to learn . Toiletries and hygiene products support health, wellbeing and self-esteem. At Christmas, a gift can bring joy and hope to a child who might otherwise go without.
By bridging the gap between need and support, we help reduce the effects of poverty, remove barriers to education, improve wellbeing, and ensure that children and young people can focus on being children, not on what they are missing.
Alleviating
the Effects of
poverty.
Toiletry Care Packs
Good hygiene should never be a luxury. Through our toiletry care pack programme, we provide essential items to children and young people throughout the year, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap and deodorant. Delivered through our partner schools, these packs help improve health and wellbeing, boost self-confidence and ensure that children can attend school feeling comfortable, clean and ready to learn.
Back to School Support
Every summer, our Back to School scheme helps pupils start the new academic year equipped for success. We provide filled pencil cases to Year 6 pupils transitioning to secondary school, as well as students already attending secondary school who may lack the essential equipment needed for learning. By removing these practical barriers, we help young people feel prepared, included and able to participate fully in the classroom from day one.
Winter Wear Programme
Our Winter Wear Programme has become one of our most important and fastest-growing initiatives. Each autumn, we provide warm winter coats to children and young people experiencing hardship. For many families, buying a new coat simply isn’t affordable. A warm coat not only protects a child from the cold but also improves attendance, confidence and wellbeing, ensuring they can travel to school, play outdoors and take part in everyday activities without feeling disadvantaged.
Urgent Essentials Fund
Sometimes, a single item can make a world of difference. Through our Urgent Essentials Fund, schools can refer children who need items such as water bottles, rucksacks, PE kits or other essential school equipment. This support ensures children can take part in school life alongside their peers, reducing stigma and helping them feel included, confident and ready to participate.
Emergency Family Support
When families face an unexpected crisis, immediate support can be vital. Our Emergency Family Support Fund provides rapid assistance to families experiencing situations such as house fires, flooding, emergency rehousing or other unforeseen circumstances. Through quick and responsive vouchers, we help families access the essentials they need during difficult times, providing practical support when it matters most.
Our school partners can nominate a child by heading to our Current School Partner Nomination Page for any essential items a child might be in need of such as a water bottle, rucksack, PE Kit, or sports items as listed above and we will do out best to fulfil.
How To Get Involved ..
You can make a positive social change by supporting a local charity and there are many ways you can help us..
