GET INVOLVED
Schools
The Bridge Youth Project has worked with young people across Wiltshire and Dorset since 1994, and in local schools from early in its story. In 2012 we began developing chaplaincy in local secondary schools, helping children and young people thrive through trusted relationships, pastoral support and a consistent presence. Today we have a chaplains in 23 primary and secondary schools across Wiltshire, in faith and community contexts.
Working with schools
Since expanding into primary schools in 2020, school chaplaincy has been our core focus, and we now serve a growing network of community, church and independent schools across the region. We work closely with school leaders to place trained chaplains within their own teams, shaping each partnership around the school's needs, the chaplain's gifts, and support from the wider Bridge team.
We are a Christian charity, and faith is why we show up but in schools, our chaplains are a listening presence for every young person, regardless of faith or none, working within each school's ethos and never pressuring belief.
Why schools partner with us
Schools often tell us that one of the greatest things a Bridge Chaplain gives them is time and capacity.
Staff work incredibly hard to support pupils and families, but the pastoral, emotional and wellbeing needs within schools continue to grow. A chaplain brings dedicated time to listen, build relationships and create space for conversations that might otherwise be difficult to find in the busyness of the school day.
The Bridge helps schools by providing trained chaplains who become a trusted and consistent presence within the life of the school. Their relationships are built over weeks, months and years, enabling them to support pupils, staff and families in a way that is personal, flexible and rooted in the life of the school community.
Whether in a primary or secondary setting, our chaplains work alongside school leaders and staff to strengthen wellbeing, spirituality, belonging and hope across the whole school.
What schools say
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"Our Bridge Chaplain has become an integral part of our school community. The support she provides to children, families and staff is invaluable, and her presence has made a significant difference to the wellbeing of our whole school."
Headteacher
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"I can say things to her that I wouldn't say to anyone else. Because she is one step removed from the day-to-day pressures of school life, she becomes a pressure valve for the whole team. I don’t know what we’d do without her"
Deputy Headteacher
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"She always seems to have time for us, like longer than 30 seconds. I can talk to her about things that are going on, and she actually listens."
Year 10 Student
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My daughter had some serious health issues to deal with, but our Chaplain was there for her. I would go so far as to say she was a Godsend."
Parent
How can your school work with The Bridge Project?
Bridge chaplaincy is developed in partnership with each school. We work relationally and professionally, taking time to understand the context, needs and hopes of the setting. Together, we shape a chaplaincy presence that fits the school well and supports its ethos, wellbeing priorities and safeguarding culture. Our aim is not to offer a one-size-fits-all model, but a thoughtful and sustainable partnership that serves the whole school community.
A day in the life of a Bridge Chaplain
A Bridge Chaplain becomes part of your school team, working with you throughout the academic year to support pupils, staff and families.
Every school is different, and every chaplain brings their own unique skills, experience and personality. This means each chaplaincy develops around the particular context, needs and opportunities of the school community.
A typical day is varied and responsive, often including:
Welcoming pupils and families on the school gate at the start of the day.
Checking in with school leaders or pastoral staff about current needs.
Supporting students through one-to-one support, mentoring, or small group work.
Creating a calm lunchtime space where young people can talk, reflect, or simply be.
Delivering an RE lesson, collective worship, or assembly linked to school values.
Supporting senior staff as they develop vision, values, spirituality, and school culture.
Being available to all staff who might need encouragement or someone to listen.
Connecting the school with the local community through mentors, churches, food banks, or other support networks.
Helping parents and families by running coffee morning drop-in’s or 1:1’s.
Chaplaincy works because it is woven into the ordinary rhythm of school life. Our chaplains are present in the small moments as well as the significant ones, building trust over time and helping pupils, staff and families know they are not alone.
Interested in chaplaincy for your school?
To find out more, please contact our office. We would be glad to talk with you about your school context, the kind of support you are looking for, and what a Bridge chaplaincy partnership could involve in practice.
We can also talk through practical details such as availability, costs, next steps, and how we shape chaplaincy around the needs of your school community.
Please reach out to us at hello@the-bridge.org.uk or visit our contact page to start the conversation.
Our schools
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Chaplaincy in schools
Through mentoring, clubs, workshops, prayer spaces, collective worship and individual support, our chaplains help young people grow in wellbeing, spirituality and hope.
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The Third Space
Working alongside local churches and community partners, The Third Space is where young people can belong, build friendships and explore faith.