Taking some time out is a really good way to help you figure out what life's about...

- Who am I? What skills are hidden in me? What do I want to experience?

- How do I work on a team? How do I face up to challenges?

- How much do I know about other cultures? How can I learn to help?

Taking a GAP in your work, your education, or using the experience to fill time where you are making decisions can really help you to get a bit of perspective, while giving you a really enjoyable experience that perhaps you might not get stuck back at home!

Below are some of the options (Christian and non-Christian) that are open to you. Some are funded, others might encourage you to pay your own way. Some are training courses, others throw you in at the deep end! Try visiting the sites, and getting a feel for what's out there!

Christian - UK Opportunities

Diocesan Teams 

• SPEC (Westminster) – Retreat Team, School Mission Team and 'The Loft' - a team for younger children
• The Briars (Nottingham) – Residential Retreat Centre for the Nottingham Diocese
• YMT (Hexham and Newcastle) – Mission Team that runs school missions as well as regular events
• Alton Castle and Soli House (both in Birmingham Diocese) - Residential centres that welcome retreats and activity holidays

Other Groups

• The Sion Community - volunteers spend time working in schools and parishes, creatively teaching young people about faith
• Vincentian Volunteers – following St Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac in care of those neglected by society, working in different bases throughout the country . A positive opportunity for young people to undertake  interesting charity work for one year, living in community with fellow volunteers. Accommodation and living expenses provided. Volunteer year starts in September. If you would like to know more, contact Sr Maria Robb at info@vincentianvolunteers.org or visit the website www.vincentianvolunteers.org. 
• Salesian Volunteers – Savio House, Macclesfield – serving young people of the Catholic Church by hosting retreats, and doing school missions
• Hospitality and activity volunteer opportunities for people aged 18 – 25, with a 'Action Centres' a Christian youth based charity, for between 6 and 12 months. Activity apprenticeships also available – please click on the link to find out more!  
• Jesuit Volunteer Community – more informal community living, whilst fulfilling work placement with those neglected by society
• Time For God – Christian gap-year placement organization with many contacts and links
• Tearfund - providing placements for up to 4 months, with work in inner-city parishes or more local projects. 

Christian - Overseas Opportunities

• Kerygma Teams is the more Catholic-focussed side to the international youth lay mission movement, 'Youth With a Mission'
• ICPE (international Catholic Programme of Evangelisation) is a youth oriented Catholic training and mission group, especially noted for its creativity in drama, dance, mime etc... For opportunities, look at 'Upcoming Events'
• Gap years at Christian Aid, involving an overseas experience, and then promotional work back in the UK
• See also Time For God's abroad placements
• GAP Activity Projects – including Medical and Overseas aid
• Real Gap Experience offers over 100 international volunteer programmes and working holidays in 30 countries worldwide 
• Combine exotic travel with sustainable development projects at Madventurer, based in Newcastle 
• Voluntary Service Overseas also has a 'World Youth' section for short-term projects

There is a downloadable leaflet from the FunderFinder website which points you towards various websites and publications about gap years and the funding of them. Brin has access to a Grants for Individuals database and you are welcome to contact him, although this facility must be restricted to young Catholics in the Diocese of Northampton.