About Us
Mission Statement
Bridging the Gap is a local community project serving the Gorbals area.
We were established in 1998 to enable the local churches (Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic) to work together to meet local needs.
We aim to work across divides which are apparent in the community, providing opportunities for people to discover ‘common ground’.
Purpose Statement
The Purpose of Bridging the Gap, which is rooted in the Gorbals is:
To build positive relationships across the divides, with particular reference to: integration of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) community, and the transition from primary to secondary schools.
To value the humanity and nurture the potential of every individual, and where appropriate, provide practical support.
To celebrate the good in our community, by providing the opportunity for people of diverse backgrounds to discover their common ground, overcoming racism, sectarianism, territorialism and isolation.
BtG- the origins
In 1998 Blessed John Duns Scotus Church (Catholic) and Gorbals Parish Church (Church of Scotland) listened to stories from the community and decided to create a project to bring people together.
To begin with we worked with young people of different denominations in primary schools using music and drama to create community events. Some we took to Iona.
Another project brought the older and younger generations together sharing stories of the Gorbals.
In 2000 we were asked by the Gorbals Social Inclusion Partnership to respond when asylum seekers first came to the area. We provided a warm welcome and things they needed like warm clothes, advocacy support and English classes. As they settled in, we opened up our services to everyone in the community. Today this work continues with projects like BIG Thursdays Drop-in and Refugee Week Celebrations.

Storytelling weekend
In 2010 parents with preschool children in the Gorbals told us they needed a baby and toddler group as theirs had closed. We started 2 baby and toddler groups and a course on family communication.

Early trip to Iona
We developed the work with young people who were struggling to make the move from primary to secondary with the Peer Tutoring Programme. In 2017 we are working with 14 primary schools and 2 secondary schools across the south east of Glasgow.

Early Peer Tutoring group
Our strength is that we don’t stand alone- our work is all about partnerships with people and organisations.
Board of Trustees
Chairperson Treasurer Secretary Trustees | Rev Ian Galloway Robert Gillies Jacqueline Stockdale Michael McLaughlan Dr. Pam Green Katherine Longmuir Jatinder Kang Patrick Barbour Elsie Mackie |
Our Registered Office
Bridging The Gap, Greyfriars Centre 270 Ballater St Gorbals Glasgow G5 0YT | Office Opening hours: Monday- Thursday 9am-5pm |
Scottish Charity No: SC028657
Company No: SC284862
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What people have said about Bridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap is an exceptional community based charity working to improve the lives of the young people and families who use their services.
The schools work in particular has a huge impact on those young people going through transition. I have met a number of their young people who have been through their programme who can articulate the high impact there work has had in relation to their own self-belief, confidence and ability to cope with transitions throughout education. Their innovative approach to service delivery is something I would hope would start to be mirrored as excellent examples of good practice throughout the third sector and beyond.
Thank you so much to all of you for presenting today. It was fantastic to hear the Bridging the Gap story and an absolute privilege to hear Helen, Tony, Marie and John's stories - especially John's. I can safely say that I have never been moved to tears in a work event before. I am so pleased he found you and I hope we can help more people like John find more places like Bridging the Gap in future
Whenever I have come in to contact with Bridging the Gap, I have been impressed with the individuals who co-ordinate the transition project and the smooth and innovative way in which the project is run. I completely recognise the need for the work of Bridging the Gap does in providing potentially marginalised and excluded young people with the opportunity to flourish educationally, as well as socially
Main Office:
Bridging the Gap
Greyfriars Centre
270 Ballater St
Glasgow G5 0YT
Scottish Charity SC028657
Company No: SC284862
Office Opening hours:
Monday- Thursday 9am-5pm
Friday 9am-4pm
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