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 / January 30th, 2025
Aspirations and Future Planning / January 30th, 2025
Careers Event at North Durham Academy, Stanley.
On Thursday 23rd January 2025, we hosted a Careers Event at North Durham Academy, sponsored by Karbon Homes, which was a huge success! We had 30 visitors kindly give up their time to speak to the students about their careers, job roles, companies and their journeys to get to their current positions. The students then had the opportunity to ask questions to the visitors to find out more about their choices at 16, what qualifications are required for their job and any challenges or barriers they have faced in their career.
Youth Social Action / April 24th, 2024
Aspirations and Future Planning / April 24th, 2024
Know Your Neighbourhood Project / April 24th, 2024
Iron Men of Consett
Building Self- Belief are currently delivering and Employability Programme at Consett Academy. As part of the sessions, we discuss the importance of volunteering and how impressive this is to employers – especially when young people are channelling their energy into a good cause.
Consett Heritage Project / September 13th, 2023
Anne-Louise Grant - Consett Heritage Podcast
Anne-Louise was born in Consett in 1966, and grew up in a village nearby. Her Grandad on one side was a postman and on the other side a miner. Her Dad was a metallurgist at the Steelworks and she had many family members who lived and worked in the area (and still do). She returned to Consett in 2004 to raise her family, having left to seek employment in London in 1989.