WeMindTheGap Selected as Finalist in Prestigious 2025 CSJ Awards

We are proud to announce that WeMindTheGap has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) Awards. This prestigious accolade recognises grassroots organisations that demonstrate exceptional impact and have developed effective, innovative ways of addressing entrenched social issues—working with some of the hardest-to-reach people in the UK.

The CSJ Awards is an annual event that showcases, celebrates, and rewards the very best grassroots charities and social enterprises from local communities throughout the UK.

We are honoured to stand among a handful of finalists and have been highlighted for our innovative approach to bridging gaps in education, employment, and life-skills pathways for young people aged 11–15 and 16–25. The impact of winning a CSJ Award is long-lasting and helps organisations like ours to grow and expand the reach of our inspirational work.

“We are thrilled to be recognised as a CSJ Awards finalist,” said our CEO, Ali Wheeler. “This nomination reflects the dedication of our team, the strength of our ‘village’ of supporters, employers, and community partners, and the resilient spirit of our Gappies, young people striving for a brighter future. It’s validation that our model truly closes gaps in opportunity and belonging.”

Over the past decade, we have developed and delivered life-changing programmes across North Wales and the North West, including:

WeInspire – a supportive, nurturing programme for 11–15 year-olds who are struggling with traditional education.

WeDiscover – a 12-week virtual skills and mentoring initiative for 16–25 year-olds, where young people can discover more about themselves and the wider world.

WeGrow – our 26-week paid employability programme for 18–25 year-olds.

WeBridge – a ‘roll on roll off’ employability programme for 16–25 year-olds who are ready to work and need nurturing and support to find the right opportunity.

WeBelong – our alumni community for any young person who has completed a programme. Every Gappie remains part of the WeMindTheGap family, and this community provides support, care and friendship for as long as they want or need it.

The CSJ team identifies the most outstanding, innovative, and effective charities that help the hardest to reach, inspire with their impact, and have discovered ways of scaling their work beyond their own neighbourhood. A team of judges, with a wealth of experience across a wide range of sectors, comes together to select the winners.

As a finalist, we join esteemed peers tackling entrenched social issues—from unemployment and mental health to educational exclusion. Our nomination underscores our growing influence in shaping policy conversations around youth opportunity and belonging.

“We look forward to celebrating alongside fellow finalists and sharing our story with national leaders,” added Ali Wheeler. “Regardless of the outcome, we are proud to be part of this incredible community of changemakers.”