Our Vision and Values

We long to see every local church confidently working to make disciples amongst children, young people and families.

We are Christ-centred and value collaboration, innovation and transformation.

Our Story

The Resources Cupboard was first launched in April 2014, by Becky May, a former teacher, with a vision to resource the local church, primarily through the creation of written resources, and training events.

In June 2021, The Resources Cupboard reached a new stage in our development as a ministry, recognising the many opportunities that exist for churches to begin, or extend, their work with children, young people and families, and the great strengths that can be found in collaborative working. At that point, we launched as a charity and since then have continued to grow as a ministry to support the local church.

C.S.Lewis - The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe - She stayed behind because she thought it would be worthwhile trying the door of the wardrobe, even though she felt almost sure that it would be locked. To her surprise, it opened quite easily, and two mothballs dropped out. Looking into the inside, she saw several long coats hanging up – mostly long fur coats. There was nothing Lucy liked so much as the smell and feel of fur. She immediately stepped into the wardrobe and got in among the coats and rubbed her face against them, leaving the door open, of course, because she knew it is very foolish to shut oneself into any wardrobe. Soon she went further in and found that there was a second row of coats hanging up behind the first one. It was almost quite dark in there and she kept her arms stretched out in front of her so as not to bump her face into the back of the wardrobe. She took a step further in – then two or three steps – always expecting to feel woodwork against the tips of her fingers. But she could not feel it.”

C.S.Lewis - The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe - She stayed behind because she thought it would be worthwhile trying the door of the wardrobe, even though she felt almost sure that it would be locked. To her surprise, it opened quite easily, and two mothballs dropped out. Looking into the inside, she saw several long coats hanging up – mostly long fur coats. There was nothing Lucy liked so much as the smell and feel of fur. She immediately stepped into the wardrobe and got in among the coats and rubbed her face against them, leaving the door open, of course, because she knew it is very foolish to shut oneself into any wardrobe. Soon she went further in and found that there was a second row of coats hanging up behind the first one. It was almost quite dark in there and she kept her arms stretched out in front of her so as not to bump her face into the back of the wardrobe. She took a step further in – then two or three steps – always expecting to feel woodwork against the tips of her fingers. But she could not feel it.”

Just as in the story of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, as Lucy goes to open the wardrobe, she has no idea what lies behind the door and the journey she will go on, our hope for The Resources Cupboard, is that it will be a place where people can be resourced in many different ways and discover new adventures in their work with children, young people and families.

We would love to journey with your church at this time, are you ready to enter The Resources Cupboard?

Meet the Team

  • Becky May

    FOUNDER

    Becky has been around children’s and youth ministry for as long as she can remember; one of her earliest memories is of the ‘big children’ sharing their hard-won stickers with her at the mid-week club her parents ran. Becky worked as a Primary School Teacher for 8 years, before her children were born, and has, for many years, voluntarily supported and coordinated children’s and youth groups both at her home church, and in an ecumenical church plant in a new-build housing development.

    After completing her MA in children’s, youth and family ministry at St Padarn’s Institute, Llandaff, Becky launched The Resources Cupboard as a charity and now works in a range of settings, supporting churches to develop their work amongst children, young people and families.

    Becky is married to Adam and together they have two young children. When not working, Becky enjoys family adventures and crafting.

  • Rebecca Caird

    MISSION ENABLER

    Rebecca has been involved in church youth & children’s ministry for many years, starting off as a voluntary Sunday School Teacher. She was a volunteer as Captain of a Girls Brigade for 10 years and Sunday School Co-ordinator at her local church for a similar time running regular holiday clubs, sleepovers and youth groups before moving into paid Youth & Children’s Work in 2008. Rebecca has a heart for the whole family and community but has a particular passion for seeing young people grow in their faith through residential opportunities, Rebecca has a Moorlands Christian Theology and Training Certificate in Residential Ministry.

    Rebecca has been actively involved working in supporting churches in new ventures and fresh expressions and helping local churches work together and share resources.

    Rebecca has been married for 28 years and has two grown-up children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and visiting new places.

Meet the Trustees

  • Angela Clarke

    CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

    Angela is a Theology Student currently studying for her Doctorate in Practical Theology with the Cambridge Theological Federation. Her research is looking at Faith Schools as Christian Mission and what is its current purpose. She is a practicing Anglican and currently employed by the Diocese of Llandaff , Church in Wales, leading a team enabling and advising Ministry areas into Growth. Angela’s passion is outreach to children, youth and families so that they may hear and be touched by Jesus. She volunteers as a Sunday School teacher, a youth leader and at outreach to families via a lunch hunger club. She has experience as a cub scout leader, a swimming coach, as well as a previous career of 36 year in the Civil Service. She is a member of the Scripture Union E&W Board.

  • Carolyn Smith

    TREASURER

    Carolyn has been a Christian for over 40 years; she attends a chapel in a village just outside Bedford. At the chapel she is a trustee and treasurer and also teaches in the Sunday School. Carolyn is also a trustee in a local charity, Hope Bedfordshire, which works with the churches in the Bedford area.

    Carolyn has run her bookkeeping business since 2004; she is a Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, she is also a member of the Association of Church Treasurers and Accountants. She works with more than 25 clients around Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.

    Carolyn has been married to Graham for 38 years, has 2 married children, Hannah and Richard, and four grandchildren, in her spare time she knits, crochets and sews and spends time with the family.

  • Bob Goody

    MINUTES SECRETARY

    Bob is passionate about seeing young lives changed by Jesus. After his own dramatic conversion at the age of 16 he desires that no young person should go through life without knowing the truth and hope that only Jesus can give. Bob loves to see Christians that are equipped, resourced and released into mission, with a passion and desire to make Jesus known.

    Bob loves to socialise, play board games and serve his local church and community. Bob is married to the amazing Bec, and they have a beautiful boy called Reuben. They live in Mansfield and are part of the Leadership team at Ashwood Church.

    Bob has an MA in Mission, and has been in ministry for the last 23+ years, having worked in local churches and small charities, and is the CEO for Rural Missions having previously worked for Spring Harvest, Scripture Union and Youth for Christ.

  • Joanne Foster

    SAFEGUARDING LEAD

    Joanne Foster is the Kids Champion for Kerith Community church where she inspires and supports the kids coordinators alongside children and families across all the Kerith sites to become passionate followers of Jesus. She is married to Steve and they have three children, Tom, JJ and Sam.

    Jo has been involved in children’s and family ministry for over 20 years creating programmes, running schools teams and leading kids and holiday clubs for churches and a large annual Christian festival. Alongside her current work, Jo is also a freelance children’s curriculum writer and co-author of The Lightbringers as well as a council member for Scripture Union. Jo has also developed a program for churches and leaders to be inspired and better equipped in transitioning kids from children to youth. Having recently completed a Masters in Theology she is looking at starting a PhD in 2025.

  • Anderson Hutchinson Wade

    TRUSTEE

    Anderson is a dedicated theology student at The Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, pursuing a BA in Theology, Ministry, and Mission. He is thoughtfully preparing for ordination as a priest within the Church of England and will hopefully be ordained in the summer of 2025.

    With over 15 years of experience working with children and youth in various church, school, and community settings, he is deeply committed to making a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of young people, guiding them to realise their full potential and all that God has in store for them and how they can make a difference as leaders in the world today. Anderson is happily married and resides with his wife in Birmingham, where they are actively involved in their local community.