Celebrating Black History

Heritage / 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.


Employability / March 17th, 2022

Collaboration with Haines Watts and Cardinal Hume Catholic School

As part of this programme, students participated in workshops at the Newcastle and Leeds offices, which focused on CV’s, mock interviews and LinkedIn. To help raise their aspirations, students visited Newcastle University and Leeds Beckett. During sessions with BSBCIO, students were given a unique insight into working at the firms with career podcasts from a variety of employees from Partners to Graduate schemes.

Heritage / December 4th, 2023

Sarah Envy - Consett Heritage Podcast

Sarah is Engagement Manager for The National Lottery Heritage Fund North. Until her involvement in our Consett Heritage Project, she was unaware that this area had such a significant industrial past, and that Consett steel was used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower! From photographs she has seen of the old Consett Ironworks, she now realises that you would have been able to see rows of machinery just over the horizon from the Reservoir, peeking over the ridge of the dam. She believes that we need to continue to provide opportunities to access such a significant part of Consett's heritage. She is particularly excited about the latest Heritage initiative that will truly put Co Durham on the cultural and heritage map!

Employability / July 2nd, 2024

The Importance of Youth Social Action

On Thursday 4th July 2024, a General Election will be held to determine the new or continuing prime minister, and potentially a new government. As young voters, it is important that you vote and take this opportunity to be part of the democratic process.