Voices of Consett - Shauna
My name is Shauna, I am 18 years old, and I live in Leadgate I currently work at Building Self-Belief as a Level 3 Business Admin Apprentice which is based in Consett, we deliver programmes, projects, and training; all with the aim to build stronger communities by building self-belief. I particularly enjoy working on the community projects and the activities that involve arts and crafts.
I have lived in Leadgate my whole life, my mam and a lot of my family members also lived here or in the surrounding areas, so I’d say I know the area pretty well, however Consett’s past not so much. Before starting this project, all I knew was that the Consett Iron Company was an industrial business based in Consett founded in the 1860s and that the company owned coal mines and limestone quarries and manufactures iron and steel and how it was demolished in the 1980s. I do know that the closure of the steelworks changed the town – in some ways it was bad, in other ways it was good.
I think the town is a great place to be if you want to get out and about and see the countryside. There’s a great selection of walking routes around the area you can spend the day out at especially on a hot day you’ll see so many people walking, running and even cycling these trails.
One thing I hope for Consett is that more things get brought for us to enjoy, the countryside is great if it’s a nice day however other than that there’s not a lot to do. Newcastle and Durham may not be that far; however, it would be nice to not have to travel all the way to those places to be able to do something nice. Plus, Newcastle and Durham also may not be easily accessible to some as it is to others. Advice I would give to the young people is to go out as much as possible in the summer with your friends and family, go on walks or for a run, or on a bike ride, go to the river with your friends or take your dog, have a picnic! Just go and make the most of the countryside.

Consett Heritage Project / March 13th, 2025
History of Consett Steelworks - Past and Present
Building Self-Belief presents our film about Consett Steelworks Past and Present. Go on a journey with Alan Swinburne and Peter Shaw as they talk you through how Consett used to look when the steelworks dominated the landscape, and compare it to how it looks in 2025. Thank you everyone who has supported the project, in particular the National Heritage Lottery for their generous grant.

Youth Social Action / May 22nd, 2020
Covid 19 | Should Students Repeat their Current School Year?
Suggestions have been put forward that students should repeat this current academic year.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / March 21st, 2023
Youth Social Action / March 21st, 2023
Exciting Times for Our Youth Panel!
It has been a busy time for our Youth Panel and some of our Volunteers. We were extremely lucky that the Landmark Trust once again selected us to stay for free for a weekend at Morpeth Castle