Who We Are

WHO WE ARE

BiG KIDS is a creative arts based children’s charity, working with 7-14 year olds in Middlesbrough.
Our team is vastly experienced in youth and children’s work, with particular specialties in art, music, sport
and drama.
You will find them to be friendly, energetic, enthusiastic and committed – that’s the hallmark of a BiG KID!

STE CORNER

SAM DURANT

DEBS SMITH

We believe that we’re all BiG KIDS at heart, and we’re so grateful to the support we have received since our foundation in 2017. The guidance and care of a multitude of volunteers, advocates, financial partners and mentors has been invaluable in this journey.

As a team and charity, we serve God as we go about our daily work, in whatever setting.
BiG stands for both a “Belief in God” and a “Belief in Growth” – we work to develop the physical, mental, social and spiritual capacities of the children we meet, so that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society, as embodied in the Christian faith tradition.

Fundamentally, BiG KIDS exists to support the holistic wellbeing of children in our hometown, one of the most deprived areas of the UK, irrespective of background, religion, colour, sex or creed.

TRUSTEES

PETER RUSHTON

Chair of Trustees

ALISTAIR BOLTON

Treasurer

GRAHAM HASSALL

Secretary

MARGARET MORRELL

Safeguarding Officer

"It has been a great privilege to serve as one of the charity’s trustees during BiG KIDS’ first five years.

I vividly remember my initial meeting with Ste and Sam. They answered each of my questions with an impassioned stream of ideas which spoke volumes about the depth of the calling they each felt to minister to the youngsters in their home town. Since then, they have proved that their enthusiasm is matched by their professionalism and skill, both in delivering live events to small church groups or large school assemblies and, more recently, creating high quality online resources so that pandemic restrictions did not prevent the next generation being introduced to the Good News of Christ Jesus.

There have been numerous highlights, but to name just two: watching Archbishop Sentamu linger much longer than intended because he was enjoying joining in with a drumming workshop so much; and leading an early public launch meeting in a time of open prayer and feeling truly humbled by the extent and depth of support in the room. In the five years since, BiG KIDS has continued to be blessed by the prayerful, and often also financial, support of so many friends. We are extremely grateful and believe it shows that God is doing special things in this area and, by His grace, has invited us to join in."

Peter Rushton, March 2022

JOIN THE DOTS

BiG KIDS has a simple mission – to join the dots. Meet kids in school through creative and fun lessons, link them with the local church, create a positive sense of community and walk with them as they explore the BiG questions about faith, God and life…but how does that work in practice? And what do BiG KIDS do all day?

Click HERE to find out...