Consett Heritage Project – Our Youth Banner
Celebrating Consett Youth
“From the red dust of the past, Consett youth forge a better future.”
Having completed a whole series of fabulous sessions as part of our summer youth club in collaboration with the Derwentside Detached Youth Project, the end product is our fabulous Consett Youth Banner. This was achieved with the support of fabulous local artist Tommy Anderson, who helped us bring the sessions to life. Our aim was to use the chosen images and collages created by the young people, to create a youth banner for Consett.
The Design
We decided than what better way to visualise the town than through replicating the well-recognised style of the banners used to represent the workers through the industrial age. The young people decided on the red to represent the ‘red dust’ that smothered the town when the steelworks was open. Plus, the yellow and orange flames to represent the steelwork’s foundry– the dangers of the steelworks, but also the industrial magnificence.
How and Why Consett is Important to Us
Through studying hundreds of photographs, the young people selected images of places and things in Consett that meant something to them. They then created a series of individualised collages. Tommy then created one huge collage that united the young people and the graphic images of the town. The outcome is a fabulous collection of images that symbolise what the town means to the young people.
The Slogan
In the sprit of how the industrialists united in the past, the young people created their own slogan. We ran a group session to work through what we should include, and how we could combine the past, present and future. The young people came up with ‘From the red dust of the past, Consett youth forge a brighter future.’ Which totally encapsulates how they feel about the town, and how they want to celebrate the past, but they also want to look forward to a more prosperous future.
The Launch
Our first Consett Youth Banner was launched at our AGM on 7th September 2023. It is a fabulous way for us to demonstrate how the young people feel about the town and what their hopes are for the future. We are absolutely delighted with our Consett Youth Banner – such an outcome just goes to demonstrate how thoughtful and talented the young people of Consett truly are.
Next Steps
- Apply to be part of the Durham Miner’s Gala, 2024
- Create two further banners – one to show the changes in the environment, another to celebrate the people of the town - past and present.
- The full launch of the Consett Heritage project at Redhills in October 2024- we are very excited about this!
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / December 16th, 2018
Youth Social Action / December 16th, 2018
Aspirations and Future Planning / December 16th, 2018
Building Self-Belief in Teenage Boys' Programme
We had a brilliant experience working with these young people. We worked with them by building up their confidence by encouraging them to talk. We took them to the theatre, a restaurant and to the high ropes. They all learnt a great deal about each other and themselves.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / March 16th, 2022
Youth Social Action / March 16th, 2022
Aspirations and Future Planning / March 16th, 2022
Empowering Consett’s Youth
Building Self-Belief’s mission as a charity it to empower young people and give them the strategies and the self-belief to take ownership of their lives. Our mission is to “Build Stronger Communities through Building Self-Belief’ and we feel that a strong Youth Panel is the perfect way to give young people a voice and ensure that they have a say in their own community.
Youth Social Action / November 24th, 2025
Wellbeing and the Arts / November 24th, 2025
University Of Newcastle Dance Society's Quiz Night
As part of her final year, Aimee Wager nominated Building Self-Belief as the University of Newcastle's Dance Society's chosen charity and in her role as Welfare Officer, she will be organising a series of fundraising events. The first event was the quiz night - and what a massive success it was!