A Visit from the Centre for Social Justice

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / May 30th, 2025

On Tuesday 13th May, our Harton Academy boys’ wellbeing and aspirations group had a wonderful visit from Dan Lilley, senior researcher at The Centre for Social Justice. Dan is part of a parental participation research project, aimed at re-engaging parents in their child’s education and re-building communication and trust between home and school. We are pleased to be contributing to this research on parental engagement and attendance in schools, helping to inform government policies.


Our wellbeing and aspirations group were amazing at helping Dan to understand the specific challenges we face in the North East. They were particularly interested about life in London and his job in Westminster!


This research will be released in Autumn, which we will be sure to share!

Find out more here.

Consett Heritage Project / January 30th, 2024

Niamh McDonald - Consett Heritage Podcast

Niamh volunteers with Building Self-Belief as a member of their Youth Panel and is also studying towards a Masters of Planning at Newcastle University. Niamh has been able to support projects run by BSB and add both a professional and personal perspective on a whole host of projects.

Know Your Neighbourhood Project / May 2nd, 2024

Benfieldside Community Garden / May 2nd, 2024

Good to Grow 2024

Good to Grow 2024 came at a perfect time for our projects at Benfieldside Community Garden. We have done a huge amount of work to clear the site, after years of neglect, and in April we found ourselves ready to plant.

Consett Heritage Project / December 4th, 2023

Sarah Envy - Consett Heritage Podcast

Sarah is Engagement Manager for The National Lottery Heritage Fund North. Until her involvement in our Consett Heritage Project, she was unaware that this area had such a significant industrial past, and that Consett steel was used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower! From photographs she has seen of the old Consett Ironworks, she now realises that you would have been able to see rows of machinery just over the horizon from the Reservoir, peeking over the ridge of the dam. She believes that we need to continue to provide opportunities to access such a significant part of Consett's heritage. She is particularly excited about the latest Heritage initiative that will truly put Co Durham on the cultural and heritage map!