Celebrating Black History

Youth Social Action / October 5th, 2022

Celebrating Black History

Our Trustee Gary Jones is honoured to have been invited to a special reception hosted by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons. The event is in recognition of Black History month. Members of both Houses, House staff and external guests have been invited. There will also be a temporary artwork installed as part of the event.

Gary is a great supporter of our charity, and at this event he will be particularly focusing on the need to spread awareness about Black Health and Wellbeing.

The Windrush Generation

Gary’s parents were the Windrush Generation and we were thrilled when his mother Clara agreed to be part of our 1950’s Heritage project where shared her story of travelling from the Island Dominica to London, and how she eventually settled in Bradford.

She shared some amazing stores the children of Crookhill Primary School. Please take the time to watch our film about this fabulous project, the children learnt so much!

Appreciating Black History

Understanding the past and putting it into a social and historical context is what we believe underpins and develops the self-confidence of the children and young people we work with. As part of this project, appreciating how tough the 1950s were for children, gave them a greater appreciation of what they have today. But also understanding how exciting the changes were, the trips to space, technology, children's television and how much the children used their imaginations when they all played together in the street. Hearing Clara's story of her trip as a 10-year-old, on the boat with her brother, plus how she had to leave her grandparents behind to meet up with her parents in England, left a lasting impression on the children.

Intergenerational

Putting history int o a real context, by getting intergenerational support and getting older people to tell their stories to the younger generation is also a fabulous way to get young people to understand the past and inspire their future. We love our heritage projects; they are truly inspiring.

An Honour

Clara will be bursting with pride that Gary has been invited to attend such a fabulous occasion. From our perspective, we are also looking forward to Gary getting this opportunity to share the work of our charity with the guests at Parliament and we look forward to hearing all about it!

Health and Wellbeing

The fact that the focus of the event it health and wellbeing is also evidence that the work we do as a charity is at the very heart of what is needed to support our young people to succeed in life. Gary acts as an excellent role model for young people as someone who has taken every opportunity offered to him and worked extremely hard to achieve success. Take a listen to his podcast to find out more about his career journey.

We can’t wait to hear all about the event and appreciate the opportunity that this gives him to share our work as a charity at parliamentary level.


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 / 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!

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / September 3rd, 2019

Aspirations and Future Planning / September 3rd, 2019

Starting School

As we approach the ‘big day’ for the students who are either starting school or who are moving up to ‘big school’, I thought I would share my own experience of the preparation for my own first day at school.