© 2010 Bridging the Gap, Reg’d Charity 1093921                                                 8/10

Web design: Roger Wilcox

The idea of a town centre presence, a bridge into the community, was first discussed in July 1997 at a meeting of Willenhall church leaders. In September that year, a broad vision was agreed at a consultation meeting for all the churches in the locality.

A steering group met through the next twelve months, looking at possible options, creating policies and seeking funding sources. The first outworking of the vision came in December 1998, when members of one of the partner churches began renting a stall in the local indoor market hall, selling ‘charity’ items.   

In Oct. 2001 we moved into our current premises, a three storey Victorian mid-terrace shop. After fitting out, we opened to the public the following month.

The work-load increased as more and more people came to us for help. In 2006, we took on a part-time shop supervisor to give better support and organisation to the volunteers. Then, in 2007, we took on a trained debt advisor. Today, we are running with three  paid, part-time staff and a team of fifty or so volunteers.

Our aim is unchanged since inception:

This was an immediate success. Many shoppers enjoyed stopping for a chat, appreciating the friendly atmosphere and affirming conversations with the volunteer staff from various churches.

Two years later we took on a full time manager, largely paid for by a three year Church Urban Fund grant. Part of the manager’s brief was to find us a shop building in the Town, to provide more space to enable a increasing range of activities and some private space where personal confidences might be discussed with customers. There was nowhere on the market stall for this to happen.

As the Project grew, it became clear that the loose association of churches, that then existed and which oversaw the project, was not sufficient. The churches needed to become a properly constituted body and we needed to register as a charity. Over time, these were put in place. Bridging the Gap continued to expand and improve its people-services.

‘To be church among the people . . . engaging with folk in their day to day lives and issues. To be on hand to befriend, support and care’.

The example set by Jesus Christ is our inspiration.