A Truly Volunteer-Dependent Organisation

Bridging the Gap (BTG) is truly a volunteer-dependent organisation. Since it was founded in the early 1970s, BTG has been supported by the help of hundreds of volunteers who have helped prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims and their families.

Today, BTG still relies upon the help of people interested in helping prisoners and their families, people who are willing to get involved or who want to volunteer to lead in-prison seminars; to assist crime victims, to mentor at-risk young people and ex-prisoners; and to provide administrative support for BTG. Volunteers can participate from their own local areas anywhere in the UK.

BTG has found crime to be a moral problem and the only way to impact it is by helping individuals make lasting changes in their own lives. A network of volunteers is the essential tool to provide individual support to those working towards that fundamental change of lifestyle that makes a brighter future possible.

Commitment to Volunteers

You can provide backbone support for BTG's work - your gifts are valued, your talents and time are welcome - you can volunteer!

1. BTG believes that leadership is an opportunity to serve.

2. BTG believes that people are the key to success and individuals deserve respect at all times.

3. BTG believes that volunteers are an integral part of BTG's work and are critical to the delivery of effective results.

4. BTG believes that every hour contributed by a volunteer is valuable.

5. BTG believes that volunteers deserve to be properly managed, recognized, and honoured.

6. BTG believes that volunteers should see the big picture and understand where their efforts fit in.

Opportunities for Involvement

Crime statistics, number of prisoners, high recidivism rates etc. can be overwhelming, but BTG offers a wealth of ways to usefully help people change their lives. You can make a difference by offering a lifeline to those impacted by crime.

· Become a prisoner's penpal through BTG's Penpal Scheme

· volunteer administrative support

. volunteer to mentor a vulnerable young person or ex-prisoner,

. volunteer to complete instructor training and become a trainer

· volunteer to input data onto computer for our Prisoners Information Manual

· volunteer to help produce a newsletter

· volunteer to help with coordination of the Penpal Scheme

· volunteer to help fundraise

· make a donation.

Please contact the BTG office to find out how you can help those impacted by crime in your community.