James Dreams
This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead, in partnership with Building Self Belief CIO and Crookhill Primary School. Through a series of original poems, we reflected on the human impact of the disaster and gave a voice to the people, families and community affected by the events of 1826. 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
Consett Heritage Project / September 21st, 2023
Voices of Consett- David
David is 71 years old and was born in the Richard Murray Hospital at Blackhill, which was where everybody was born, and lived on Benfieldside Road in Blackhill. His father was a ‘Bevin Boy’, during the war you were either sent as a soldier or down the mines, if you were unlucky the mines were worse.
Celebrating Stanley / December 16th, 2025
"Watching not Living" Poem - South Stanley Junior School
This poem was created by Mary and Amelia, Year 6 pupils at South Stanley Junior School as part of our 'Celebrating Stanley' project.
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.