Our Latest Insights
Here you can read the latest on news, events, stories, and blog posts.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / August 3rd, 2026
The Importance of Work Based Learning - Serena
Serena is our latest intern from the University of Sunderland. As part of their final year in their Psychology degree, students get a work placement option. I asked Serena if I could share her thank you message, as I feel it gives a brilliant insight into how important work placements are, alongside academic work.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / July 31st, 2026
Aimee's Achievements
Take a read of Aimee's post about her achievments both with us and at Newcastle University. She has done amazingly well, and we are very proud of her.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Exercise, Health and Nutrition / July 31st, 2026
Hadrian's Wall Challenge 2026
On the 17th May 2026, three of our team, Peter, Grace, Sophie and Louis hiked 22k across Hadrian's Wall to raise money for Building Self-Belief!! This challenge was tough and rewarding, it combines the joy of our local history with a physical and mental challenge, and we are truly grateful for your support.We riased nealry £900, thank you to everyone for their contributions. All donations go towards supporting some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the North East.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 15th, 2026
'James Dreams'
This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. In this poem, 15-year-old James Robson, this poem reflects on the hopes, dreams, and lost childhoods of the young boys who worked and died in the Stargate Pit Disaster.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 30th, 2026
'The Day John Dies, His Mother Cries and Cries'
This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. In this poem, 15-year-old James Robson, this poem reflects on the hopes, dreams, and lost childhoods of the young boys who worked and died in the Stargate Pit Disaster.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 30th, 2026
'My Empty Heart'
This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. In this poem, 15-year-old James Robson, this poem reflects on the hopes, dreams, and lost childhoods of the young boys who worked and died in the Stargate Pit Disaster.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 15th, 2026
'Was the Sacrifice Worth It?'
This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. This moving poem focuses on the perspective of a mother questioning the terrible cost of sending her sons to work in the mines after losing them in the disaster.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 14th, 2026
'Falling'
This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. Inspired by the exhausting and dangerous reality of mining life, this poem captures the final moments of a miner caught in the disaster.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Wellbeing and the Arts / 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.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / January 15th, 2026
Aimee's Reflections on 2025
With the start of a new year (and a brief break in the busyness of third acadmic year spent at Building Self-Belief!) I wanted to reflect on some highlights during the latter part of 2025, a brilliant year that will stick with me for a long time!
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / January 6th, 2026
Household Support Fund-Over £95,000 distributed!
Over the last few months we have distributed over £95,000.00 from our Household Support Fund. This has mainly been within the Consett and Stanley area. We have provided numerous ovens, washing machines, dryers, as well as food vouchers. Alongside this we have distributed over 300 winter warmer packs to local children.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Know Your Neighbourhood Project / Celebrating Stanley / October 16th, 2025
Consett celebrates opening of new community centre
A local Consett charity has opened the doors to its new premises on Steel Street in the town centre.Building Self Belief, which provides support to vulnerable young people, hopes the centre will be a vibrant home for its range of support services, from group wellbeing workshops to team-building activities.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / July 2nd, 2025
Raising aspirations through Beth's work with Building Self-Belief
From helping young people raise aspirations in the classroom to painting and growing a beautiful garden – the experience of helping the community on multiple levels with Building Self-Belief
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Aspirations and Future Planning / June 2nd, 2025
The Teenage Boys Mental Wellbeing and Aspirations Programme with Harton Academy
In February, we began another one of our wellbeing and aspirations programmes, this time at Harton Academy with year 10 boys. We delivered a series of workshops and activities, before taking the students on a trip to JUMP and go-karting.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / May 30th, 2025
A Visit from the Centre for Social Justice
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.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Kye's Kick Off / May 23rd, 2025
The Key+ supporting Kye's Kick Off
Check out this article that The Key have shared about Kye's Kick Off! The Key are a charity who support groups to reach their potential by taking on the Key+ challenge. The Kye's Kick Off group have completed stage 1 of the Key+ challenge and received the cost of the pitch hire from The Key. Thank you for their support!