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.
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!
Youth Social Action / July 31st, 2021
Wellbeing and the Arts / July 31st, 2021
Crookhill Primary School 1950's Heritage Project
Our Heritage project with Crookhill Primary School took the children back to the 1950s. We looked at childhood games, the space race, the children's programmes. We also had visitors to the school who discussed their 1950's childhoods.
Consett Heritage Project / June 15th, 2023
Alan Swinburne- Consett Heritage Podcast
Alan worked at the Steelworks for 17 years in the Technical Research Department. Over the last 20 years he has researched the History of the Steelworks given several talks about his memories of his life at the Works. He also has an extensive collection of photographs and memorabilia from the steelworks.