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

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
Brettargh Holt (Salesian Sisters)
Castlerigg Manor (Lancaster Diocese)
Myddelton Grange (Leeds Diocese)
MyMission  (Middlesbrough Diocese YMT)
Savio House, Cheshire (Salesian Community)
St Cassian’s Centre , Berkshire(De la Salle Community)
St Vincent’s Centre, Whitstable (Southwark Diocese)
Walsingham House (Brentwood Diocese)

Other UK Christian

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
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
CAFOD welome volunteers to help their UK-based work.

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...
• CAFOD have overseas opportunities in their Step into the Gap programme.
• 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
• Tearfund also organizes up to 4 months in international teams, meeting the needs of vulnerable people.

Other Opportunities

• A full list of 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  is one of the longest-established organisations for overseas volunteering.