In 2017, we stood on the beach in Brighton, in the midst of discerning a call from God to go. Not just to anywhere, but a call to go home, to Redcar.
As we joked around and smiled for a picture that was used to promote 40acts that year (above), we were unsure inside but felt the clear calling from God. Little did we know that God was already beginning to create something beautiful.
A call to go: From Brighton to Redcar
As we stood on that stony beach at the foot of England, we knew Jesus was calling us to a different beach, one hundreds of miles away in a completely different context. As youth workers who passionately believe in the local church being equipped to journey with young people, we know God’s plan is for each and every young person to hear and have the opportunity to respond to the hope of Jesus, especially in Redcar.
The summer of 2018 came, and we packed up our home in West London and moved to a beautiful yet often forgotten town, with many faithful church congregations, across a number of denominations, different contexts, different theology, different expressions but an uncomfortable similarity – no young people within their worshipping communities.
Having grown up in Redcar, this grieved us and we knew it grieved God. We weren’t coming with a solution, we didn’t have a grand plan, other than to simple move into the neighbourhood, be present and consistent for the local church and young people and advocate for change. There was a blank canvas, for the church, for young people and for God to move and that is where we settled on our name, Blank Canvas.
Building Blank Canvas: A new vision for young people
In the coming two years we started to find people of peace and purpose along the way who shared our passion, our hope and dreams for young people to walk back through the doors of the local churches, the canvas began to take shape. In 2022, after listening to local young people, speaking with church leaders and drawing many things together, we launched our first safe space youth club within a local church.
Cayden was one of the first young people in 2022 to enter a Blank Canvas safe space. Here she shares some thoughts about that time with Abi:
Abi: How did you start coming along to Blank Canvas activities?
Cayden: A friend brought me along to youth club so I just came.
Abi: How did you end up being part of the team as a young leader and looking after the tuck shop?
Cayden: It just snowballed, but I really enjoy it. It's built my confidence and given me a reason to chat to my peers. The kitchen is like a safe space for me where I can retreat to and not feel overwhelmed.
Abi: You went on Alpha last year, how was that?
Cayden: I just wanted to go because it was another Blank Canvas event, but I really enjoyed thinking deeper about who God is and the community there.
Abi: You're started going along to St Hilda's church...
Cayden: Yes, I've started going along to church and I enjoy getting closer to God in His home, but in a less spiritual sense I also like having something to do on a Sunday and the enjoy the community I find there.
A journey that still continues
A faithful group of Christians, representing five denominations and seven churches across Redcar began a journey that now in 2025, sees young people finding and exploring faith, walking through the doors of churches once again in Redcar. Youth provisions in churches have been re-established after over a decade of absence, young people embracing different traditions.
As we reflect on that picture on Brighton beach that ended up as being the main promo photo for 40acts in 2017, eight years on we (well Abi and others) are smiling in a different photo, one of joy, delight and gladness. That we gave up what we knew, found a faithful bunch of now friends, who join us every week to give their time, gifts, tears, laughter and faith to young people in Redcar.
GIVE
You can financially support Blank Canvas as they seek to reach more young people.
ACT
If you know, are working with, or are a young person who would like to receive support from Blank Canvas or to benefit from our projects, then get in touch with Blank Canvas.
PRAY
Pray for the incredible team of youth workers at Blank Canvas. You can also join them in praying for the young people in Redcar and the rest of the UK.
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