Closing the opportunity gap for Bristol’s young people.
The Grassroot Activators Programme (GAP) empowers 12–30 year-olds from underserved communities to become the change they want to see. Through mentoring, experiential learning and community-led action, GAP builds pathways into education, employment, and enterprise, rooted in young people’s passions.
What is GAP?
We currently run GAP in three formats:
Yearlong GAP (Flagship)
- For ages 17–30
- 12 modules across 6 terms, 2 days per week
- Two mentors per participant: one from the VCSE sector, one from business
- Designed for maximum depth and long-term transformation.
Mini GAP
- For ages 17–30.
- 18 weeks, 1 day per week
- Mentoring and social action projects compressed into an accessible format
- Perfect for those with commitments like work, childcare or health challenges.
Youth GAP
- For ages 12–18.
- A shorter entry point, offering early experience of GAP’s principles and pathways.
How GAP Was Born
GAP wasn’t designed behind closed doors. It was developed over 5 years of conversations and consultation with:
These voices shaped GAP into what it is today: a programme built by and for the community, ensuring it meets real needs, reflects lived experiences, and creates genuine pathways into the future.
GAP was partly developed via a Fellowship at the University of Bristol’s School of Education
How GAP Works
Learn & Grow
Experiential learning modules in leadership, community development, entrepreneurship, wellbeing, and nature connection.
Mentoring
Mini GAP: one mentor per participant.
Yearlong GAP: two mentors (business + VCSE) tailored to passions and goals
Take Action
Design and deliver community-led projects — from local festivals and family fun days to social enterprises and wellbeing campaigns
Pathways
Support into jobs, apprenticeships, further study, or enterprise opportunities aligned to each person’s passions.
✨ While we run different versions, the Yearlong GAP is our flagship and the ultimate pathway for young people wanting to fully immerse themselves.
Outcomes of GAP
🌟 100% of Yearlong GAP participants said they felt in good health by the end
🌟 80% reported high life satisfaction
🌟 100% felt more resilient and job-ready
🌟 For every £1 invested, GAP creates £1.46 in social value
🌟 GAP graduates have gone on to secure jobs, apprenticeships, volunteering placements, and even start creative businesses
🌟 participants who volunteer in the
community more than doubled
🌟 100% felt they were in good health, compared to 67% at the start
🌟 100% felt they had the skills and experience to get a job in the future, compared to 50% at the start.
Watch GAP in action
Watch the journeys of young people as they participated in our GAP programme.
Real Voices, Real Impact
Hear directly from young people whose lives have been changed through our projects — in their own words.
Brandon – GAP participant
Before GAP, I didn’t really know what my purpose was. Now, I feel like it’s my time to shine.
Aelisha – GAP participant
It’s just been opportunity after opportunity coming from this. I finally feel like my life is beginning.
Solomon – GAP participant
GAP for me has been just life changing, because before I was unemployed but now I’ve got an actual purpose in my life.
Sarah (Catherine’s mum) – Mentorship
The confidence that has come from good mentorship is unbelievable. She can now advocate for herself which she wasn’t able to do before.
GAP Impact Reports
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