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 / 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!

Relationships and Sex Education / February 14th, 2022
New Boundaries for Young People?
Urgent action is needed in society and schools to support the sexual education of our young people.

Youth Social Action / April 24th, 2024
Aspirations and Future Planning / April 24th, 2024
Know Your Neighbourhood Project / April 24th, 2024
Iron Men of Consett
Building Self- Belief are currently delivering and Employability Programme at Consett Academy. As part of the sessions, we discuss the importance of volunteering and how impressive this is to employers – especially when young people are channelling their energy into a good cause.