Iron Men of Consett

Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / 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.

70.3 mile Iron Man

Three of our students – Jamie Watson, Thomas William and Jake Kingshot - as well as volunteering for our sessions,  are also in the process of training to an Iron Man contest in aid of a great cause, Teenage Cancer Research. They are all taking on the challenge of the 70.3 mile Iron Man.

Challenge not a Race

The Iron Man challenge consists of so a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. Their approach is to see this as a challenge, rather than a race – but we suspect there may be an element of competition creeping in! The swim will be in open water at the Derwent Reservoir, and they are taking advantage of the fabulous bike routes we have in the area for the run and the cycling elements.

Fitness and Endurance

Iron Man contests are a great way to develop fitness and test endurance. For these young people to do this in aid of such a good cause makes their commitment even more impressive. They have chosen Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Steven Clark, a local man, taken too soon, who loved sport and would have certainly been impressed with the level of sporting, mental and emotional commitment they young re putting into this challenge.

Please Donate

There is still time to contribute. The challenge itself takes place in May Half Term, on the 25th May. Please donate, they would really appreciate your support. 


Donate now

Consett Heritage Project / March 13th, 2025

Frank Matthews - Consett Heritage Project

Frank Matthews describes his working life at the steelworks and how useful the skills he developed at the Works were, when it came to finding work after the closure in 1980. Frank describes his adventurous working life abroad, but how Consett was always, and still is, in his heart.

Consett Heritage Project / May 14th, 2024

Brian Harrison - Consett Heritage Podcast

Brian Harrison is a local historian and many of you may know him as the company director for the Consett Heritage and Arts Centre. We sat down with him and discussed the origins of his love for history, his thoughts on the most significant moments of the steelworks, and more!

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / September 3rd, 2019

Aspirations and Future Planning / September 3rd, 2019

Starting School

As we approach the ‘big day’ for the students who are either starting school or who are moving up to ‘big school’, I thought I would share my own experience of the preparation for my own first day at school.