Our Latest Insights
Here you can read the latest on news, events, stories, and blog posts.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / December 18th, 2024
The Meadow Well Teenage Wellbeing Programme With Norham High School
The Meadow Well Teenage Wellbeing Programme, in partnership with Norham High School, aimed to enhance the mental health, self-esteem, and aspirations of teenagers living on the Meadow Well Estate in North Shields. The programme focused on improving community engagement and exploring long-term potential, with an emphasis on employability skills and higher education, particularly in arts and creative industries. As part of the initiative, sixteen young participants created a debt management booklet for their peers, addressing a significant knowledge gap. Additionally, they participated in a residential visit to London, where they presented a petition for better community opportunities and youth engagement on Election Day 2024.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / December 10th, 2024
The Importance of Vocational Visits to Aid Employability in Young People
At Building Self-Belief, one of the many programmes is the ‘Bridging the Gap’ Youth Employability Programme. Recently, this programme was conducted with year 10 boys from Boldon School. The first few workshops centred around improving wellbeing, and then the boys prepared for their vocational visit by working on goal setting, CV making and considering what makes a good employee.
Youth Social Action / December 9th, 2024
Tow Law Eco-Ambassadors Film
We have had a wonderful year with the Tow Law Eco-Ambassadors during our Environmental Project with The Energy Saving Trust and Airbnb who are kindly supporting us with the programme. Here is our Christmas Tow Law Eco Ambassadors film, which showcases all the amazing work they have completed so far.
Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / Know Your Neighbourhood Project / December 6th, 2024
From Consett to Chan Yu
The premise of Know our Neighbourhood is to get people volunteering, not just to provide the activities themselves. We were delighted when Joe Farnsworth signed up a s a volunteer, Joe had recently graduated with a Cyber Security degree from the University of Newcastle and was looking for opportunities to extend his skills.
Youth Social Action / Know Your Neighbourhood Project / Benfieldside Community Garden / November 25th, 2024
Benfieldside Community Garden's First Birthday
What a year we have had! We have transformed a derelict space into a fabulous community asset. Plus there's even more to come. Take a look at our fabulous booklet to get a full appreciation of all of the work we have done!
Consett Heritage Project / November 20th, 2024
My Own Private Hell
My Own Private Hell was created by Tyler, Phillip, Indi-Skye, Erin, Mason, and Adam from Moorside Primary School. The poem explores the awe and danger of working in the steelworks, capturing both the wonders and the harsh realities of the job.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Aspirations and Future Planning / Know Your Neighbourhood Project / November 11th, 2024
Aimee's Exciting Start to a New Academic Year
After a busy start to the new academic year, our Newcastle University Intern, Aimee Wager, shares some of the incredible work that the charity has been getting involved in over the past seven weeks. She reflects on all of the wonderful opportunities she has been given since beginning her placement in September.
Benfieldside Community Garden / October 21st, 2024
Duncan Barnett - Volunteer Podcast
Take a listen and discover the origins of our very own community garden. As a district councillor representing Benfieldside in the 1990s, listen to Duncan Barnett's description of the establishment of a community garden in Benfieldside, the very garden that we now call Benfieldside Community Garden.
Aspirations and Future Planning / Know Your Neighbourhood Project / October 17th, 2024
'Inclusion - How to Include without Excluding' A talk for the Digital Leaders online Conference
A talk by Christine Thomas with thoughts about how to empower individuals, particularly those with SEND, and within the context of her experiences as a teacher and manager of English in secondary schools.
Consett Heritage Project / October 14th, 2024
Duncan Barnett - Consett Heritage Podcast
Duncan Barnett's ancestors came to Consett in the 1700s to work at the very earliest incarnation of the iron works, and his family worked in 'the Works' for generations. His job was in the plate mill. After the closure, he went on to get his degree, masters and PGCE and worked in the community with young people to support crime prevention in the young, and as a district councillor for Benfieldside. As well as this, he played in bands and worked in security for bands in the area. Listen to what he has to say about his eventful life in Consett and beyond.
Exercise, Health and Nutrition / September 10th, 2024
Congratulations Hugo - GNR 2024!
Once again our fabulous Chair, Dr Hugo Minney has completed the Great North Run on our behalf. The Great North Run is a spectacular event for the whole region and it is so brilliant to see so many people running on behalf of so many charities.
Wellbeing and the Arts / Consett Heritage Project / September 10th, 2024
The Monster of Consett
Lucas, Jacob, Jayden, Alan, and Roan collaborated in groups to explore the deep impact of Consett Steelworks on their local community, uncovering both its positive and negative influences. They then transformed their insights into a powerful poem, capturing what it was like to live in Consett at that time.
Consett Heritage Project / September 9th, 2024
Joan Colling - Consett Heritage Podcast
Joan is from a family who have lived and worked in Consett for many generations. She worked at the steelworks and discussed her role at the steelworks, and the impact the closure had on her family, friends and the community as a whole.
Consett Heritage Project / August 29th, 2024
Consett's Broken Heart
'Consett's Broken Heart' is a poem created by Olivia, Alfie A, Alfie R, Daisie, Jaxon and Damien, of Moorside Primary School. This is a fabulous poem inspired by the impact the closing of the steelworks had on the town of Consett.
Know Your Neighbourhood Project / August 19th, 2024
Happy 40th Birthday to Rendles of Consett!
On their 40th Birthday, Building Self-Belief would like to say a huge thank you to Rendles of Consett for their excellent products, service and support they have given us over the past year, to help us deliver our Household Support Fund.
Consett Heritage Project / July 17th, 2024
Consett Steelworks - Children's Research & Community Project | Building Self-Belief CIO
During the summer term of 2024, the children of Moorside Primary School in Consett, County Durham, participated in a project delivered by Building Self-Belief CIO, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the County Durham Community Foundation. This initiative aimed to bring the Consett community together around their shared industrial heritage. The children developed skills in creative writing, poetry, art, photography, communication, and historical research.