Gap Year 2024-2025 Applications ARE OPEN!
Applications open until mid-June but apply soon to avoid disappointment as placements are limited.
The next selection day for Gap Year will be 10th May. Please get your applications in by 1st May to be considered for this date. Further selection days will be added as required.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO...
- make a difference in Scotland
- encounter God as you step out in faith
- be discipled, trained and mentored
- grow in faith as you discover new gifts and callings
- share Jesus with young people
- go on an international mission trip
...then this might be the Gap Year for you!
"Gap Year is a great steppingstone to being closer with God and being more confident in living out your faith. You will meet some great people and it’ll be a revelation to see how much goes on behind the scenes for things you once took for granted. God will use you and bless you in ways you least expect it." Malcolm Murchison - gap:fusion
"Think of Gap Year like you think you're going on a small sailboat for a year but when you arrive it is a cruise ship with so many different things going on and so many different people. It seems so simplistic, but when you're inside it is greater than you ever expected." Louise Munro, gap:local and gap:church
"SU offers so many different placements, it is easy to tailor the year to your specific interests and desires, and no matter what, anyone can benefit from the training and the hands-on experience that you will receive." Megan Peet - gap:church
Are you looking for time out that provides personal growth and discipleship as well as opportunities to make a difference? If so, then a gap year with Scripture Union Scotland, may be for you!
Our gap year programme runs from August to August each year, with a strong missional focus. Our aim is to train and equip young adults to be salt and light by providing them with opportunities to help children and young people encounter God through sharing their faith and exploring the Bible. Further information from gapyear@suscotland.org.uk
This is for you if you’re…
- a school leaver up to age 25+
- passionate about young people’s ministry
- seeking guidance about your future
- exploring a calling to mission or ministry
- wanting to serve God in a hands-on way
- looking to challenge your faith and move forward in your walk with God
What to expect...
- A unique and exciting experience both here in Scotland and internationally
- Specific and practical training for your placement alongside experienced practitioners.
- To work with and affect the lives of young people in a huge variety of contexts.
- Support, care and advice throughout your year and beyond.
You have the chance to choose from a huge range of placement options to begin to shape a gap year that will meet your needs, gifts and interests.... and then shape you!
gap:local
gap:local is a busy, varied placement in the front line of ministry. Alongside a regional worker you’ll help to run SU Groups, Weekends, SU Holidays, youth groups, holiday clubs, discipleship groups for senior pupils or training with volunteers. Be ready for the unexpected!
gap:centre
gap:centre is based at one of our three centres (Lendrick Muir, Alltnacriche, or Gowanbank), working mostly with the schools team, providing an excellent residential experience for others.
gap:at-the-margins
gap:at-the-margins is based with youth projects in priority communities across Scotland. You will help lead a range of social and emotional support groups and SU Groups; take part in detached work and drop-ins clubs; and be on the team for relevant residentials. Due to the nature of this placement it is only open to applicants over the age of 20.
gap:fusion
gap:fusion is a split year between gap:local and one of our centres. Lendrick Muir and Alltnacriche provide school, SU and church residentials during term time, with activities from mountain biking to nature trails, and, of course, SU Holidays in between terms. You’ll work with groups directly as well as practically contributing to the day to day running of the centre.
gap:church
gap:church is your chance to gain insight and expertise in what it means to work for a church. You’ll serve on staff at a local church with their youth and children through the week and participating in their Sunday programme. You will also spend part of your time with a Regional Worker to see how church and schools work complement one another.
gap:digital
gap:digital is your chance to get involved in every aspect of our digital youth work programme. If you have a passion for building community online, gaming and getting hands-on with content creation that’s all about faith and young people, then this placement is for you!
We’ll provide exciting and relevant training that will prepare you for the challenges you will face on placement and beyond. The training programme primarily takes place on-the-job by experienced practitioners ready to help you develop your gifts and interests. You will be amazed at what new skills you discover as the year goes on!
There are also a series of residential training blocks when the whole team can come together to reflect, refresh, receive teaching and develop practical core skills related to outreach.
gap:engage
As part of gap:engage you will also be assigned a mentor who you will meet with on a fortnightly basis to provide pastoral support and guidance. This is a great chance to ask the hard questions of life and faith and to challenge yourself to move on in your faith journey over the year. For split location placements we provide an online tool for carrying on with the mentor meetings on a long distance basis.Our study programme has been developed specifically for gap year and is tailored to fit you, whatever your age, ability or passion. You’ll explore the Bible in new ways, engage directly with God and be challenged in how your faith is shaping your life. Fear not - it’s not an academic exercise! We pray you find a passion for reading the Bible that will carry on for many years.
There's no way to get around it: gap years cost money. We’ll help you with ideas and resources to raise support for your gap year, as well as help to write regular prayer letters for your financial and prayer supporters.
Gap year without accommodation: £3000
Gap year with accommodation: £4400
Accommodation will be in an SU Scotland centre or with a host family local to your placement
Both options include the costs of the mission trip and specific travel expenses.
International trip
As part of an organisation working in over 130 countries, we want you to get a real taste of what international mission looks like! Prepare to step out of your comfort zone as you take part in a 2 week international mission trip. You’ll receive training before you go, support from a team leader and will find a huge variety of ways to serve the people you meet.
We promise to look after your data in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation. See suscotland.org.uk/privacy for more details.
If you would like to financially support those currently on gap year, you can find their team pages here:
