Hope on Display at QUAD Derby

At Bridge The Gap, we believe every child deserves to feel heard, supported, and hopeful. That belief is at the heart of our latest exhibition, now open at QUAD Derby.

Earlier this year, we invited young people from across Derby to share what “hope” means to them through art. The response was incredible, with hundreds of thoughtful, creative, and deeply personal submissions that gave us a powerful insight into how children see the world around them.

From these entries, we selected 12 pieces to form our “Walk of Hope” showcase - a collection that captures the honesty, imagination, and resilience of Derby’s young people.

A Powerful Launch Moment

We were proud to unveil the “Walk of Hope” at our inaugural Gala Dinner, held at Vaillant Live on 26 March. With 400 guests in attendance, the evening was a meaningful opportunity to highlight both the creativity of local children and the importance of emotional wellbeing support.

For us, this exhibition is about more than art. It’s about creating a platform for children’s voices and ensuring they feel seen, valued, and understood.

Why This Matters

Every day, we work closely with children and families navigating complex emotional challenges. Through early intervention and ongoing support, we aim to ensure that when a child needs help, the answer can be “yes” to emotional safety, to timely support, and to a renewed sense of hope.

As our Director, Nikki Webster, shared:

“We see children every day who are trying their very best to understand big feelings in a world that can feel overwhelming. This competition gave them a voice- and what they shared was inspiring.”

Visit the Exhibition

We were proud to invite all entrants and their families to an event to launch the exhibition in April and we are delighted that all submitted artwork, including the winning pieces, is now on display to see at QUAD Derby throughout the summer. The exhibition runs until Sunday 30 August 2026 and is open to the public.

We invite you to come along, experience the exhibition and see the world through the eyes of Derby’s young people.