B L A N K
C A N I, A S
Charity Number. 1182185
Financial *tements for the year ended 31 Marth 2024

B L A N K
C A N I. A S
Annual Report 2023-24
Over the lastyear Blankcanvas has begun to see the fruits of now over five years of
ministry and work across Redcar. The Annual Report is always an opportunity to pause, to
look back and ￿lebrate all that has been achieved. To thankthe commitment of so many
volunteers and staff, alongside looking ahead to our hopes to further supporting young
people and families across Redcar, their families and sharing our Christian faith, the very
thing that motivates and drives the work of Blank Canvas.
To hlghllght a few areas of growth in this past year:
We thanked Revd Mark Hubbard for 5 years of being Chair of Trustees and for all that he did
to support the launch of Blank Canvas. As he stepped back, Mark Tate, has stepped into that
role and takes on the leadership of Blank Canvas, chairing trustee5 and working alongside
the founders in the strategic direction of the charity. Alongside Mark Tate; Jonny Hedges,
Revd Bridget Woodhall and Tirn Theobalds have joined the trustee board to bring further
experience in operations, govemance, strategyand finance.
Blank Canvas has grown in our staff numbers by 100% with the employment of Steve Cassy
as a Youth Worker. Carol Pettt has joined the team through our partnership with St Hilda's
Church and Mustard Seed, and following thi5, has launched the Advocacy Programme.
The second safe spaces youth club ￿4$ launched and has becoff* an e5tabli5hed part of
voung people's weeks, alongside our exist1r￿ youth club.
Throughout the summer, the 5tsff tearn and volunteers rdn a full programme of summer
activities and our Social Artion projects have tsken place throughout the year.
Financially we have received a numberof keygrants that have enabled Blank Canvas to
grow both in capacity but additionally in our impact and reach, with further funding
received to enable the future employment of a full time Youth Worker with a focus on
discipleship and exploring faith.
The trustees and 5tsff wish to thank God and so many partners. volunteers and churches for
the faithful support of Blank Canvas in many vRys and forthe young people and families of
Redor, who we continue to find deep joy in serrfin& supporting and Sharing faith with.

Prolerts
Youth Club @ St Hilda's
When: Thursday evenings, at St Hilda's Church {Redcar West)
The Youth Club on a Thursday evening is a hub of activity and fun. There is a steady.
committed group of young people who come along each week who fill the Spa￿ with
laughter and fun.
The DMC (Deep Meaningful Conversation) room VRS given a spruce up with fairy lights,
inspirational qL￿te5, a space foryoung people to reflect or pray and there is a group of
young people who solidly use thi5 room as their space, plus many young people who engage
with it in different ways, using the question card5 to chat about deeper things in faith and
life.
We continue to do monthly meals, games evenings and other themed sessions which the
young people enjoy- anything around food tends to be a htt.
Youth Club @ RBC
When: Tuesday evenings, at Redcar Baptist Church (Redcar East)
Our second Youth Club launched in June 2023 at the United Reformed Church. It was only
able to run in this space until the Summer and due to a safety issue with the building we
moved to Redcar Baptist Church and 'relaunched' in Sept 2023.
We gathered and trained a new team of youth workers for this space who have done an
amazing job of building relationships and establishing a eulture of fun, kindne55, openness
and respect. The team have estsblished a DMC room in thisyouth club too which again, has
been an great place for conversations to go deeper, and questions of life and faith to be
discussed.
Some highlights this year include youth-led karaoke and Youths GotTalent' evenings which
the young people really enjoyed doing. We love to see this enthusiasm and leadership and
are working with these young people to encourdge them in these skills.
Workspa
When: Monday afternoons. at St Hilda's Church (Redcar Westl
Workspace has grown significantly this year with both young people and team. IYS been
wonderful to support a whole host of additional young people and has presented challenges
to overcome- we've needed more laptops and have had to find ways to ensure the space
remains calm and somewhere worktake place
Michelle has taken on the cooking as is amazing at cooking delicious meals from scratch that
the young people are thoroughly enjoying. Mary loves maths and has become our in-house
maths expert supporting any young people who need some support with their maths
homework.

We have been able to open up a Second qureter room at Workspa¢e that enables some
quieter work to take place which has been really posfcive for some of the young people who
attend who found the larger room could be too distracting for them.
We have started to invite guests to come into Workspace and share about career paths or
issues that affect young people: including the amiy. teaching and ¢yber<rime.
Youth Advocacy
When: Adhoc
The Advocacy Programme kunched in response to the constant need for support that goes
beyond what we can provide in our regular spaces and a need to be 'advocated forf. We see
large numbers of young people consistently sharing tough srtuations. mental health
difficulties, bereavements, relational issues, challenges at school and more every week
Carol oversees the advocacy work and a team of mentors. Through this work we are
building up excellent relationships with staff at one of our local schools- a school many of
our young people attend, alongside meeting with social worker5, and the ear￿ help team.
We are working closely with parents. and other professionals to provide joined up support
for young people that is really irnpactful.
At the heart of the work is each young per￿n and their irKlividual needs. No two mentor
relationships look the same as each is shaped bythe needs and desires of the young person
involved which is something we're really proud ofl
Youth-Led Social Artion
Steve has been gathering groups of young people, inspiring them to think about what issues
they think most affects their communities and to think through what they might like to do
to make an impart in those area5.
Activitie5 have included a litter pick in Locke Park, an Ke-5kating trip to Billingham Forum
with a wellbeing session included for young people struggling with their mental health.
Surnmer Activities
During the summer through grdnt funding, we rdn a full progrdmme of activities for young
people to enjoy. We are awBre many of the young people we engage with do not have
many or any plans during the holidays and it can be a financially tough time for families.
longside the gap in free school meals.
With two activities taking place every week: a weekly beach trip and pienic and a movle
night and meal. Plus, three addFtional trips.. to the woods. a day trip to Saltburn and a
scavenger hunt around Redcar. Around 30 young people engaged wtth the different
activities and found such joy in the days. Positive relationship5 were built with one another,
fun memories made and confidence grown during the summer weeks.

Glving and Partnerthlps
We are deeply grateful for all the regular and one-off donations we've received this year
from our supporters. A thankyou to First Woodway Baptist Church, Baptist Insurance
Corporation, County Durham Community Foundation, Seurrah Wainwright, Just Sow, The
Benefact Trust, Tesco Community Grants. Feast of Fun. The Fellowship of Stjohn and
Beyond Housing for their sUPPOrt tovRrds our wor
Our partnerships wth the local churches across Redcar are key to our work and continue to
flourish. We are thankful to serve atongside Blessed Nicholas Postgate Parish, Redcar Baptist
Church. Kirkleatham Parish, St Peterfs Church, United Reformed Church and Christchurch
Coatham and Dormanstown.
Looking forwa￿1
We look forward to this next year with furtherfunding enabling the launch of our
discipleship programme, we hope and look forward to newgrowth in meeting new young
people and theirfamilies, journeying with them in overcoming challenges and seeing new
Stories of hope created.
Abl Hedges (Projects Lead)

Blank Canvas
Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Marth 1124
General Recelpts and Paw)ieirts Account
Recelpts
Notes 2023124
2022123
Donations
Gtft Aid
Grants
6,683
1,029
45.173
428
4.595
257
8,865
112
Youth aub Subs
Other
16,781
6.314
Total Receipts
70,094
20,143
Payments
Wages
Administrationllnsurancenraitiing
Projects
20,088
5,783
8,345
14,027
2.643
1.855
Totsl Payments
34,216
18.525
Surplus of receipts over payments
35,878
1,618
Bank accounts and cash at l April
Bank accounts and cash at 31 Marth
23.467
59.345
21.849
23,467
Statement of Assets and iiabailie5 at 31 March 2024
2023124
2022123
Cash Funds as at 31 March
Nat West Account
172
59,173
59,345
61
23,406
23,467
Represented by
Cash Funds as at l April
Nat West Account
61
23,406
23,467
21.849
21.849
Surplus of receipts over payments
35,878
59,345
1.618
23.467
Approved on 16 July 2024 by Blank Canvas Trustees vtho authorised the following Trustees to sign
on their behalf:
Elizabeth Gibson (Treasurer)
Mark Tate Ichair)

Blank Canvas
Ftnancial Statements for the Y￿r ￿ded 31 March J124
Notes to the Financial Ststements
Accounting Poliaes
Basis of the finan(ial ststanents
The financial statements of Blank Canvas have been prepared in accordan￿ with section
133 of the tharities 2011 using the Receipts and Payment basis.
Grant Income
2023124
2022123
Arn(Ad Clarkes Community Fund
County Durham Community Foundation
Baptist Insurance Company
Just Sow
The Fellowship of St John
The Scurrah Wainwright (harity
Feast of Fun
Benefact Trust Grant
Beyond Housing
Groundwork
1,000
7,865
12.163
10,000
10,000
5.000
2,970
2,950
1,090
I,ooo
Total
45.173
8,865
Other Income
Redcar Baptist Church
Blessed Nicholas Postgate Parish
Sabic UK Petrochem
St Hilda's Church. Redcar
Mustard Seed
Youth for Christ. Denmark
Amazon Smile
First Baptist Church- Woodwav
Peter Grogan (Local councillor}
Misc.
2,083
2,917
1.000
1.000
600
440
340
17
11,785
500
333
Total
16,781
6,314

BlaTrk Canvas
FinancFal Statements for the Year ended 31 P•larth 2024
Independent Examlnefs Report to the Trustees of Blank Canva&
I report on the financial statements of Blank Canwds forthe year ended 31 March 2024 set out on
pages 6t07.
Respettive ResponsibJTrttes of trustees and ex￿1￿
The Blank Canvas trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. They
consider that an audit 15 not required for this year under sertion 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe
Chartties Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the (haritte5 Act
to follow the procedures laid down in the Directions given by the tharity Commission urKJer
section 145(5llb} of the Charities Art: and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of indepthdent report
My examination wa5 carried in accordance with the Directrons given by the Charity Commission.
An examination indudes a review of the accountire records kept by the charity and a comparison of
the financial statements presented wTrth those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual
items or disclosures inthe financial statements and seeking explanationsfromthetrustees conceming
any such matters. The procedures urKlertaken (S) not provide all the eviden￿ that would be required
in an audit, and subsequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf
ew and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Enmlnefs Smement
l am satisfied that the General Receipts and Payments Account discloses money received and
expended by Blank Canvas and that the Statement of Assets and ￿abilItieS and the Notes to the
Financial Statements present the financial position of Blank Canwas to the degree required by the
Charities Act.
I have come across no matters of concern in connertion wwth the examination to which attention
should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jonathan Thompson
Date
l Manor Fami Pla
Great Smeaton
Northallerton
DL6 2HP

Blank Canvas
Financial Ststements for the Year thded 31 Marth a124
Report on Finanaal Management for Year 2023124
Introdurtion
The General Receipts and Payments Account and the Statement of knets and Liabilities summarise
the finances forthe year and disclose the financial position at the end of the year.
A deficit budget was set and approved at a Trustee Meeting in February 2023.
Reports were produced forthe Trustees on a regular basis which enabled them to monitor receipts
and payments.
Review of the Finantes
The prlncipal points to be made are as follows:
Donations of £6.683 have been received during the year from a number of individuals.
A further £16.781 has also been ￿ceiVed fr(Kn various organisat¢ons. including a large
donation of £11.785 from First Baptist Church, Woodway, Texas to support the employment
of currentladdttional staff at Blank Canvak We would also like to thank the following
Churches - Redcar Baptist Church, Nicholas P05tgate Trust and St Hilda's for their contlnued
generosity.
A gtft aid claim was made and received for donations received in the previous tax year.
We were a150 5ucces5ful in receKvingthe followhng GrantslDonations during the financial
vear, of which a number have been spent during 202314 and others which were received
towards 202415, and therefore will be carried forward. We would like to thank them here
fomially.
The Scurrah Wainvnight Charwty- £5.￿0
o Together Middlesbrough (Feast of Fun}- £2.970
o Just Sow- £lO,O¢XJ
Benefact Trust - £2,950
Beyond HousirE- £1,090
o Groundwork- £l,(KKJ
Baptist Insurance Company- £12,163
Peter Grogan - £500
Fell0V￿hip of St John- £IO.ODD
Due to the timings of Grants/Donations received in 202314the Trustees agreed that £42.613
of the fvnds in the bank account will be used for expendtture in 2024125
Blank Canvas is very thankful for those that supportthe charity.
The Trustees of Blank Canvas
July 2024