Insights

Our Latest Insights

Here you can read the latest on news, events, stories, and blog posts.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / August 3rd, 2026

The Importance of Work Based Learning - Serena

Serena is our latest intern from the University of Sunderland. As part of their final year in their Psychology degree, students get a work placement option. I asked Serena if I could share her thank you message, as I feel it gives a brilliant insight into how important work placements are, alongside academic work.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / July 31st, 2026

Aimee's Achievements

Take a read of Aimee's post about her achievments both with us and at Newcastle University. She has done amazingly well, and we are very proud of her.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Exercise, Health and Nutrition / July 31st, 2026

Hadrian's Wall Challenge 2026

On the 17th May 2026, three of our team, Peter, Grace, Sophie and Louis hiked 22k across Hadrian's Wall to raise money for Building Self-Belief!! This challenge was tough and rewarding, it combines the joy of our local history with a physical and mental challenge, and we are truly grateful for your support.We riased nealry £900, thank you to everyone for their contributions. All donations go towards supporting some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the North East.

Youth Social Action / Wellbeing and the Arts / July 16th, 2026

St Joseph's Eco Ambassador Project

Our Eco Ambassadors from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School have been working on an Eco Tree Mural within their school grounds alongside our Eco Project with them. The children worked incredibly hard and we're so proud of the results!

Exercise, Health and Nutrition / July 16th, 2026

Building Self-Belief Charity Golf Fundraising Day

Our Charity Golf Fundraising Day was a wonderful success, bringing together a fantastic group of supporters for an enjoyable day of golf, fundraising, and community spirit.

Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / Wellbeing and the Arts / July 13th, 2026

North Shields Children's Youth Employability and Financial Literacy Programme

Over the past few months, Year 6 pupils from Christ Church C of E Primary School have taken part in Building Self Belief CIO’s ‘North Shields Children’s Youth Employability and Financial Literacy Programme. Throughout the programme, the children explored their strengths, learned about branding and marketing, discovered different career pathways, developed essential employability skills and took part in a financial literacy workshop delivered by Newcastle Building Society.

Youth Social Action / Exercise, Health and Nutrition / Wellbeing and the Arts / Benfieldside Community Garden / July 13th, 2026

Social Impact of Benfieldside Community Garden

As part of our grant reporting process, we have to provide evidence of the impact of our work. Please see below, where the Headteacher of Benfieldside Primary School has outlined the variety of ways having access to Benfieldside Community Garden as a communty space has had a positive impact on the children and the staff of the school.

Youth Social Action / Wellbeing and the Arts / Digital Inclusion / July 2nd, 2026

Lived Experience of Digital Inclusion Event

We were delighted to host Digital Unite's Lived Experience of Digital Inclusion Event, where we had a broader look at digital exclusion across communities, including real stories from people.

Benfieldside Community Garden / June 29th, 2026

Benfieldside Community Garden Official Launch

Special moments from the official launch of Building Self Belief’s very own community garden, a project we’ve been developing and working towards over the past few years.

Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 12th, 2026

Commemorating The 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster

Here is a documentary showcasing the wonderful work completed by Year 5 and Year 6 pupils at Crookhill Primary School as they explored the history and impact of the Stargate Pit Disaster, 200 years after the tragedy took place.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 15th, 2026

'James Dreams'

This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. In this poem, 15-year-old James Robson, this poem reflects on the hopes, dreams, and lost childhoods of the young boys who worked and died in the Stargate Pit Disaster.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 30th, 2026

'The Day John Dies, His Mother Cries and Cries'

This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. In this poem, 15-year-old James Robson, this poem reflects on the hopes, dreams, and lost childhoods of the young boys who worked and died in the Stargate Pit Disaster.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 30th, 2026

'My Empty Heart'

This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. In this poem, 15-year-old James Robson, this poem reflects on the hopes, dreams, and lost childhoods of the young boys who worked and died in the Stargate Pit Disaster.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 15th, 2026

'Was the Sacrifice Worth It?'

This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. This moving poem focuses on the perspective of a mother questioning the terrible cost of sending her sons to work in the mines after losing them in the disaster.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 14th, 2026

'Falling'

This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. Inspired by the exhausting and dangerous reality of mining life, this poem captures the final moments of a miner caught in the disaster.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 15th, 2026

'Pit Pony Nightmare'

This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. Told through the eyes of a pit pony, this poem highlights the harsh realities of mine life and the bond between animals and the young miners who cared for them.