Teenage Girls’ Emotional Wellbeing & Aspirations Programme
Funded by the County Durham Community Foundation, we successfully delivered a twelve-week programme to support vulnerable teenage girls in Stanley, in an area of high socio-economic deprivation. Our project focused on early interventions to prevent longer term mental health issues, paticularly with those who are sufferring due to the impact of COVID-19.
With this group, gender and identity and the impact of isolation during Lockdown had a huge effect on their self-esteem. The group sessions gave some young people an opportunity to discuss being non binary and how this made them feel in relation to their feelings, friendships and personal identity.
We want to say a big thank you to JUMP a design agency in Newcastle, who provided an insight into the world of work. Our young people were very respectful of the professional environment, and they all made very positive contributions to the discussions. The group has helped us to design and create online emotional wellbeing resources for other young people to use in the future
“The programme organised and delivered by BSB has been fantastic. The young people have really enjoyed participating in the sessions and have been able to be completely open, within a supportive environment. We highly recommend the Wellbeing Programme.” ”
- Mr A Bourne, North Durham Academy
Consett Heritage Project / November 17th, 2023
Edwin Oxley - Consett Heritage Podcast
Edwin started as an apprentice at the Consett Steelworks in 1961, as a 15-year-old. Over time he developed a whole host of skills and describes the excellent training he received both at technical college in Consett and Gateshead, and on the jobs in the boiler shop, foundry, blast furnace, plate mills - amongst others. He worked in every department! Take a listen to his podcast which gives a fascinating insight into the opportunities made available to him and how this gave him a solid foundation for the rest of his working life. He also gives our young people some great advice!
Consett Heritage Project / February 5th, 2024
Voices of Consett - Sadie (The Bra Lady)
Before earning the title of "Sadie the Bra Lady," Sadie Ayton worked in the steelworks following her school years. She initially found employment at Richmond's the Solicitors before transitioning into the role of a 'Ticky Woman,' collecting credit payments by visiting houses.
Consett Heritage Project / February 7th, 2025
Playing in the Red Dust - Moorside Primary School
This poem was created by Corben, Roxi, Lacey, Oscar, Leandra, and Millie from Moorside Primary School. It reflects their take on the red dust that once covered Consett — the cloud of iron oxide emitted during the Steelworks’ production because of this red clouds of dust would hang over the town, settling on cars and clothes hung out to dry, a sight captured in many photos of Consett from that time.