About Christine
Christine has a passion for inspiring and working with young people. Having worked for many years in the teaching profession and as a consultant in schools in London and her native North East, she is now using the skills developed through her teaching of English, to lead Building Self-belief CIO.
Christine is a determined advocate for the improvement of educational opportunities, self-belief and aspirations of all young people and this runs through everything that she professionally undertakes. As CEO of Building Self-Belief CIO, as well as leading the charity, she still works with the young people and maintaining contact with young people is an essential element to her work. She is particularly proud of the success of the workers and the volunteers linked to Building Self-Belief, and their continued success is an essential element of her work in the sector.
Christine's skills in communication - in particular through podcasting have added a new dynamic to the charity, where we can use such a medium to educate, entertain and support others. Christine regularly liaises with educators, funders and has taken advantage of numerous requests to make presentations to support other charities. Her gardening skills have also greatly improved since the charity took on a 25 year lease for Benfieldside Community Garden.
Christine was Regional Activities Officer on the Management Committee of the National Association for Teachers of English (NATE). She regularly writes blogs about education and the wellbeing of young people and her articles have been published in the national magazines of both NATE and the National Literacy Trust. Christine is delighted and honoured to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
As a volunteer, Christine is also Chair of the Consett Area Neighbourhood Forum, where she is coordinating the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan for the area.