Youth and Families Advocacy

The organisation: 

Blank Canvas is a Christian charity that exists for young people in Redcar. They seek to identify the barriers that young people are facing locally every day, and provide the support needed to overcome them. Blank Canvas is proud to be youth-focused and youth-led, seeking first to listen, understand and learn from young people.  

The charity provides safe spaces for young people to build relationships with friends. They have numerous volunteers who give their time per week to be a consistent presence in the lives of young people from the community. Blank Canvas advocates for young people and for those who require further support and will work with them alongside parents, carers, school and local services. 

The organisation believes sports can provide an opportunity for change in young people, to realise their potential, to develop communication skills with others and be part of a wider team. 

The initiative: 

Sofia’s grant of £2,500 will support Blank Canvas’s vision to create a sports programme that is accessible for all, despite economic circumstances. The initiative aims to establish a community sports provision for young people aged 13-18 in Redcar, focusing on football and basketball.  The project provides a weekly basketball and football space for exercise, coaching and fun.

The initiative seeks support to make the programme free for young people, covering rental of courts and pitches, equipment and kits for those who attend.  

The initiative aims to bring opportunities to improve the physical, mental and emotional health of all regular participants through tangible achievements in wider support structures.