From Consett to Chan Yu
As part of our Know Your Neighbourhood initiative, we set up a series of very successful Digital Hubs, where older people struggling to use technology could come along and get some support from our young people.
Know Your Neighbourhood
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 in preparation for work.
Supporting the Elderly
When we suggested he used his skill in IT to help the community, Joe jumped at the chance to volunteer. He supported every session and helped in a whole range of ways – showing people how to create email addresses, photoshop, apps, editing photographs. If he didn’t know how to do it, he did the research to ensure he knew enough to help.
The Power of Volunteering
What has transpired over time, that rather than heading into the high-tech work of cyber security, what he realised through his volunteering, is that he enjoyed the social interaction and the communicating with others. What better way to combine this that to go to the high tech city of Chan Yu in China and teach English as a Foreign language?
A Thank You from Joe
Joe said: ‘I have always wanted to go to China, but having some actual experience volunteering, made such a difference when I applied, because having actual experience, is so much more significant than just saying you want to do something. I would like to thank Building Self-Belief for the opportunities, and I am so excited about working in China.’
Exciting Times Ahead
Joe has landed safely in China – he is living in a city that is a one-hour train ride away from Hong King. He is looking forward to combining working abroad with travelling to different parts of South East Asia and the Far East. We wish Joe the very best of luck and look forward to hearing about his amazing experience when he gets back!
Aspirations and Future Planning / November 30th, 2023
Maddy Parkin - Careers Podcast
Maddy Parkin, 32. Photographer running a business specialising in wedding photography. Her main job role is taking photos of my customers' weddings, however, there is a lot of work that goes into this: editing in creative software, creating online galleries, marketing, blog posts, liaising with customers, writing and amending contracts and creating shot lists, arranging client meetings, and more. Her passion is creativity, and feels her job encompasses all of this. Take a listen and find out more about a career in photography.
Consett Heritage Project / September 21st, 2023
Voices of Consett- David
David is 71 years old and was born in the Richard Murray Hospital at Blackhill, which was where everybody was born, and lived on Benfieldside Road in Blackhill. His father was a ‘Bevin Boy’, during the war you were either sent as a soldier or down the mines, if you were unlucky the mines were worse.
Know Your Neighbourhood Project / March 17th, 2026
The Know Your Neighbourhood - Volunteering Programme
The aim of this programme, kindly supported by Point North, was to engage and recruit local volunteers to help combat loneliness and social isolation across the Consett and wider County Durham community.