Our Latest Insights
Here you can read the latest on news, events, stories, and blog posts.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Aspirations and Future Planning / March 27th, 2025
Boldon Colliery 'Bridging the Gap' Youth Employability Programme
The Boldon Colliery 'Bridging the Gap' Youth Employability Programme was kindly supported by the Wellesley Trust via the Tyne & Wear and Northumberland Community Foundation. This programme aimed to enhance the aspirations, employability and self-esteem of a group of Year 10 students at Boldon School in South Tyneside. The students took part in a 12-week structured programme of workshops and activities including sessions on sleep hygiene, healthy eating, goal-setting, CV-writing and managing moods and emotions. These group sessions aimed to improve the communication, confidence, employability and debt management skills of the young people, to prepare them for future employment. Additionally, they went on a vocational visit to local engineering firm, Bay Plastics, and participated in a competitive team-building activity of Go-Karting.
Consett Heritage Project / March 13th, 2025
History of Consett Steelworks - Past and Present
Building Self-Belief presents our film about Consett Steelworks Past and Present. Go on a journey with Alan Swinburne and Peter Shaw as they talk you through how Consett used to look when the steelworks dominated the landscape, and compare it to how it looks in 2025. Thank you everyone who has supported the project, in particular the National Heritage Lottery for their generous grant.
Consett Heritage Project / March 13th, 2025
Frank Matthews - Consett Heritage Project
Frank Matthews describes his working life at the steelworks and how useful the skills he developed at the Works were, when it came to finding work after the closure in 1980. Frank describes his adventurous working life abroad, but how Consett was always, and still is, in his heart.
Consett Heritage Project / March 12th, 2025
Delves Lane Primary School Poetry Anthology Part 3
The children at Delves Lane Primary School learnt about the history of the Consett Steelworks and developed their understanding of the impact that the steelworks closure had, and continues to have, on the community. They created paintings, poems and decorated a quilt. Each group chose a photo relating to the Consett Steelworks, and wrote their own poems using poetic techniques. We hope you enjoy them!
Consett Heritage Project / March 12th, 2025
Delves Lane Primary School Poetry Anthology Part 2
The children at Delves Lane Primary School learnt about the history of the Consett Steelworks and developed their understanding of the impact that the steelworks closure had, and continues to have, on the community. They created paintings, poems and decorated a quilt. Each group chose a photo relating to the Consett Steelworks, and wrote their own poems using poetic techniques. We hope you enjoy them!
Consett Heritage Project / March 12th, 2025
Delves Lane Primary School Poetry Anthology
The children at Delves Lane Primary School learnt about the history of the Consett Steelworks and developed their understanding of the impact that the steelworks closure had, and continues to have, on the community. They created paintings, poems and decorated a quilt. Each group chose a photo relating to the Consett Steelworks, and wrote their own poems using poetic techniques. We hope you enjoy them!
Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / February 10th, 2025
Global Opportunities for Young People to Extend your Life Experiences
There are many opportunities to extend your life experiences outside of education or work, including travelling or working abroad. These opportunities are perfect for young people to learn new skills, meet new people and gain once in a lifetime experiences. For people who leave school and are unsure about what they want to do next, these experiences can be useful to figure out what you are interested in and gain volunteer or work experience which is a wonderful asset to your CV.
Consett Heritage Project / February 13th, 2025
Kieron Kelly - Consett Heritage Podcast
Kieron Kelly, a fourth-generation resident of Consett, reflects on how life and opportunities in the town have changed since the closure of the steelworks. He also highlights the various volunteering and sporting opportunities available to children and young people in the area.
Consett Heritage Project / February 7th, 2025
Playing in the Red Dust - Moorside Primary School
This poem was created by Corben, Roxi, Lacey, Oscar, Leandra, and Millie from Moorside Primary School. It reflects their take on the red dust that once covered Consett — the cloud of iron oxide emitted during the Steelworks’ production because of this red clouds of dust would hang over the town, settling on cars and clothes hung out to dry, a sight captured in many photos of Consett from that time.
Know Your Neighbourhood Project / Benfieldside Community Garden / February 3rd, 2025
Benfieldside Community Garden - January 2025 Update
Here's a short update of where we are up to with out plans for Benfieldside Community Garden. We are working through the winter, to get as much as we can in place so the community can enjoy the space over the summer months. A massive thank you to our volunteers, we couldn't do it without you!
Consett Heritage Project / February 3rd, 2025
Helene Wilson - Consett Heritage Podcast
Helene tells us all about how much she enjoys living in Consett and how much being part of the Consett community means to her. She considers the influences of the past, and how Consett has moved forward and is no longer just about the steelworks. Please take a listen.
Consett Heritage Project / February 3rd, 2025
Designing a Steel Statue for Consett
On Tuesday 28th January, we hosted a fundraiser and design session to generate some ideas about what the community want the Ray Lonsdale statue to look like. We were very lucky to have renowned artist Ray Lonsdale with us, who gave a talk about his artistic journey and past designs, and answered all of our questions about his statues and how we should go about creating our own for Consett.
Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / January 30th, 2025
Careers Event at North Durham Academy, Stanley.
On Thursday 23rd January 2025, we hosted a Careers Event at North Durham Academy, sponsored by Karbon Homes, which was a huge success! We had 30 visitors kindly give up their time to speak to the students about their careers, job roles, companies and their journeys to get to their current positions. The students then had the opportunity to ask questions to the visitors to find out more about their choices at 16, what qualifications are required for their job and any challenges or barriers they have faced in their career.
Consett Heritage Project / January 28th, 2025
Voices of Consett - Kris Kennedy
Kris Kennedy, has lived and worked in Consett all of his life, living in Constance Street and currently working at Consett Golf Club. As part of our Consett Heritage project, read his Consett Heritage story here.
Aspirations and Future Planning / January 27th, 2025
A Guide of the Grants and Funds Available for Young People in Education
Many young people in the north east may be eligible for grants and funds to support them through their education, from places such as Point North, Nat West or Atom Bank. There is a variety of support available for a range of ages and students at different stages of their educational journey, so check out this guide to see if anything is suitable for you!
Aspirations and Future Planning / January 15th, 2025
Supporting our Young People into University - Our Guide
One key talking point when visiting Newcastle University on our recent trips, was discussing the range of routes and support available to students from varying backgrounds, to ensure that they can still access the opportunities that more privileged students can access. This ranges from reduced grade offers, to financial support whilst at university, to a support network of similar students before they begin university; we have collated this helpful guide of some of these access schemes available in the North East.