Teenage Girls’ Emotional Wellbeing & Aspirations Programme

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Aspirations and Future Planning / May 11th, 2022

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

Celebrating Stanley / November 12th, 2025

Olywn's Celebration of Stanley

Olywn has always lived in Stanley and was born in South Moor. Read as she shares her insights on Stanley's past and her hopes for the future of the town.

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.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / June 15th, 2026

Wellbeing and the Arts / June 15th, 2026

Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 15th, 2026

'Pit Pony Nightmare'

This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. Told through the eyes of a pit pony, this poem highlights the harsh realities of mine life and the bond between animals and the young miners who cared for them.