U CAN SPRAY
MAKING SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH THE ART OF SPRAY-PAINTING
What We Do
Advocating Positive Social Change
U CAN Spray, located in the South East UK, is a registered charity. Founded in 2017 in order to inspire and engage young people from all backgrounds into cultural and artistic experiences through spraypainting. Our beneficiaries are anyone who is disengaged from society for reasons beyond their control. We are particularly committed to helping 16-24 year olds who aren't in education, training or employment who will benefit from learning about all the aspects of professional art making and production through live projects and workshops. It's not easy being long term unemployed, especially when you have no experience or training. Often these young people have challenging situations to deal with which is why getting young people involved in something which inspires them is a valuable support in order to learn the necessary skills to be able to integrate successfully into adulthood. At U CAN Spray we specialise in an artform which speaks to young people in their language. Street- art, Spraypainting and organised activities enable marginalised individuals to learn a vocation which enables them to interact with the public through events, exhibitions and community projects.
OUR MANIFESTO
At U CAN Spray we like challenging perceptions. The concept that “Street Art” is a powerful medium to ignite positive social changes isn’t new. Harnessing this power to help empower disengaged and vulnerable people is a new idea. Therapeutic and inclusive art practice through positive SprayPainting is a powerful communicator that breaks down barriers and builds bridges. We are passionate about inspiring anyone who’s been told they can’t, to experience how they CAN through our collaborations. workshops and in-house programs, regardless of age, disability, gender, cultural, political or social status. Please get involved
Our Aims in 2026
Breaking Barriers, Opening Doors to a new type of ARTSPACE
In 2026, U CAN Spray CIO will continue to strengthen its role as Lewes’s hub for inclusive creative learning and community street-art projects.
Our aims are to:
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Deliver regular, free youth workshops in Lewes that combine hands-on spray-painting with digital design, enabling local young people to gain transferable technical and creative skills.
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Develop a core volunteer and practitioner network, training local residents to assist and co-lead projects so our impact and expertise remain rooted in the Lewes community.
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Create visible public-art projects that celebrate local identity, biodiversity, and social inclusion—transforming under-used spaces into places of pride and connection.
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Expand outreach within Lewes and the surrounding area, ensuring access for those facing barriers due to cost, confidence, or circumstance.
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Build sustainable partnerships with local schools, councils, and community organisations to embed creative learning into Lewes’s cultural and educational landscape.
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Champion environmentally responsible practice, using non-toxic paints, recycled materials, and climate-aware production methods across all activities.
Together, these aims will help U CAN Spray CIO deepen its roots in Lewes—nurturing creativity, inclusion, and positive change through accessible art for everyone
Have any ideas?
Have an idea for an inclusive arts or mural project in Lewes?
U CAN Spray CIO welcomes proposals from local groups, schools, and partners who want to explore creativity as a force for community connection.
Get in touch to discuss how we can collaborate to bring bold, meaningful street-art projects to life.
Volunteer Opportunities
One of the main reasons U CAN Spray is founded in 2017 was to compensate for the lack of arts-based activities which appeal to young people age 16-24. We’ve dedicated a lot of people-hours into developing an award winning format, and hope you’ll help us continue this work. If you are a spraypaint artist who could volunteer your services and a few hours to make a difference to someones life through our charitable work- Or maybe you have other skills that you would like to offer us? GET IN TOUCH!
Upcycled Vinyl Records
Our sustainability ethos here at U CAN Spray is UPCYCLING old materials whenever we can. Reworking old and unloved items into art objects which can have a second life not only feels good, it's helping the environment by avoiding landfill. Also profits from items sold go towards our training programs. CAN you help by donating old records/Vinyl to our art projects? Anything that can be painted is much appreciated
“You can't help but feel this is someone you need to make things happen”
Sheila Green, Projects Officer Bognor Regis Town Council,
about Sarah Gillings MA, U CAN Spray CIO Founder
