'For every child to feel hope. You matter, you are loved, you are not alone'.
When I was a teacher, I was very aware of the amazing work that Bridge the Gap, based in Derby, did with children on a range of levels.
As Claire’s School Solutions are working to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, we are keen to work to promote this excellent organisation and will be working with them to highlight the importance of boosting our children’s self-esteem and sense of worth.
At Bridge the Gap, they are relationship-focused which means they take time to build trust with each child, creating a space where they feel safe, seen, and ready to explore their emotions. All support is personalised and paced to each child’s needs, laying the groundwork for lasting emotional growth and resilience.
BEAM (Behaviour Emotional Awareness Method) is Bridge the Gap’s unique framework for 1:1 and group sessions. It was created to meet a gap they saw in children’s support, something flexible, relational, and rooted in emotional literacy.
“BEAM sessions help children notice, name and navigate their emotions through safe, relationship-focused support.”
What Bridge the Gap offer?
Family Hubs
These are free ‘drop ins’ where during term time. parents can pop along to ask the Bridge the Gap team about something that is worrying them or that they need advice on. From behaviour concerns, sleep issues or emotional worries, this safe space allows parents to feel supported at no cost to them. If more support (1-1 interventions) is needed, then there is some funded availability through family visitors based in Derby Hubs
Volunteer programmes in schools
Bridge the Gap offer short term programmes in school ran by fully trained volunteers who are experienced in dealing with low level emotional needs, such as anxiety, bereavement, dealing with divorce, friendship issues.
Examples of these are:
Worry Warriors
Steady and Strong
Confidently Me
Parent/child workshops
Programmes like Compassionate crafts allow a parent/ carer to have the opportunity to talk and explore feelings whilst being creative. There is only a small charge for these sessions. They are very popular with participants.
Personalised fully private 1-1 support packages
These can involve child/ parent and school and are fully tailored to the needs of the child.
Assessement calls are bookable from the website and Bridge the Gap will take it from there.
Positive Behaviour Support Packages
This isn’t just a programme, it’s a partnership to help families thrive.
This package brings parents/carers and schools together through collaborative planning and consistent strategies. It includes:
- School Observations
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Multi-Adult Meetings
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Consistent Support Framework
Parent Webinars
These are covering a range of themes such as ‘responding to anger’ ‘self-harm’ ‘OCD’ etc and offer advice on a live video or via a recording to watch later on. These have a small one off cost although some are free.
Parents can also access support through a Parental Portal.
Our base and parental loan library
We are based on St Mary’s Gate, Derby and are in the process of establishing a new library near the cafe where parents/ carers can loan a book from a collection covering various topics/ themes which may be affecting them or their family.’
We are here to support you in any way we can.
Support for professionals
There are also course which can be booked online for teachers, teaching assistants or other professionals who work with children. These cover a range of emotional health approaches and safeguarding.
