Since the very beginning in 1985 the mission of BSYW has been to share the love of Jesus with the children and teenagers of Blackpool. Back then we were working under the banner of Teen Challenge which was founded in 1958 by David Wilkerson in New York. You can read his exciting story in the book, ‘The Cross and the Switchblade’.

In 1970, Teen Challenge started working in the UK, going out onto the streets and into schools with the Gospel message.

In 1994, Teen Challenge opened its first residential centre and channelled its resources into drug rehabilitation.

In order to continue the work with local schools, Blackpool Schools and Youth Work (BSYW) was born in 1995, delivering Christian assemblies, RE lessons and holiday clubs to primary and secondary schools.

Gradually, our net widened to cover not just Blackpool, but Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Over Wyre, St Anne’s and Lytham too.

As a Christian charity, we represent our local churches and work together to introduce hundreds of children every week to a better understanding of the Bible and the Christian faith.