Our Latest Insights
Here you can read the latest on news, events, stories, and blog posts.
Employability / January 15th, 2025
Supporting our Young People into University - Our Guide
One key talking point when visiting Newcastle University on our recent trips, was discussing the range of routes and support available to students from varying backgrounds, to ensure that they can still access the opportunities that more privileged students can access. This ranges from reduced grade offers, to financial support whilst at university, to a support network of similar students before they begin university; we have collated this helpful guide of some of these access schemes available in the North East.
Wellbeing / Employability / January 8th, 2025
The Teenage Girls Mental Wellbeing and Aspirations Programme with Wellfield School
Recently, we completed this programme with a group of year 9 girls from Wellfield School. Some topics that we covered across the sessions included unhelpful thinking, friendships, self-esteem and body image. To culminate the end of the programme, we took the students on a trip to visit Newcastle University, an escape room and a restaurant.
Employability / January 6th, 2025
Business Roundtable Event - Time to put the North East on the Business Map
As a long-standing member of Do Business Network (DBN), I was delighted to be asked to attend the business roundtable discussion with Liz Twist MP for Blaydon and Consett, and Gareth Thomas MP, Minister in the Department for Business and Trade on Monday 9th December at Derwentside College.
Wellbeing / Employability / December 18th, 2024
The Meadow Well Teenage Wellbeing Programme With Norham High School
The Meadow Well Teenage Wellbeing Programme, in partnership with Norham High School, aimed to enhance the mental health, self-esteem, and aspirations of teenagers living on the Meadow Well Estate in North Shields. The programme focused on improving community engagement and exploring long-term potential, with an emphasis on employability skills and higher education, particularly in arts and creative industries.
Wellbeing / Employability / December 10th, 2024
The Importance of Vocational Visits to Aid Employability in Young People
At Building Self-Belief, one of the many programmes is the ‘Bridging the Gap’ Youth Employability Programme. Recently, this programme was conducted with year 10 boys from Boldon School. The first few workshops centred around improving wellbeing, and then the boys prepared for their vocational visit by working on goal setting, CV making and considering what makes a good employee.
Employability / Volunteering / December 6th, 2024
From Consett to Chan Yu
The premise of Know our Neighbourhood is to get people volunteering, not just to provide the activities themselves. We were delighted when Joe Farnsworth signed up a s a volunteer, Joe had recently graduated with a Cyber Security degree from the University of Newcastle and was looking for opportunities to extend his skills.
Wellbeing / Employability / Volunteering / November 11th, 2024
Aimee's Exciting Start to a New Academic Year
After a busy start to the new academic year, our Newcastle University Intern, Aimee Wager, shares some of the incredible work that the charity has been getting involved in over the past seven weeks. She reflects on all of the wonderful opportunities she has been given since beginning her placement in September.
Employability / Volunteering / October 17th, 2024
'Inclusion - How to Include without Excluding' A talk for the Digital Leaders online Conference
A talk by Christine Thomas with thoughts about how to empower individuals, particularly those with SEND, and within the context of her experiences as a teacher and manager of English in secondary schools.
Employability / July 2nd, 2024
The Importance of Youth Social Action
On Thursday 4th July 2024, a General Election will be held to determine the new or continuing prime minister, and potentially a new government. As young voters, it is important that you vote and take this opportunity to be part of the democratic process.
Employability / July 1st, 2024
Consett "Bridging the Gap Youth Employability Programme."
The Consett "Bridging the Gap Youth Employability Programme" was kindly supported by Newcastle Building Society via the Tyne and Wear Community Foundation, and The Albert Hunt Trust. As part of this the students consulted the young people of the Consett Area as part of the preparation of the Consett Area Neighbourhood Plan..
Employability / May 21st, 2024
Consett Area Youth Consultation
Tell us how you would like the Consett Area to look by 2036. What can we all do to improve on what we already have? What ideas do you have to ensure the continued and positive growth of the Consett Area?
Employability / Volunteering / Environmental / May 20th, 2024
Katie Baggott - Volunteer Podcast
Durham Community Action and Building Self Belief reflect on the impact Good to Grow Week has made in County Durham and chat about the power of volunteering to increase community gardening in the local area of Benfieldside in Consett.
Employability / Volunteering / 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.
Employability / Volunteering / February 15th, 2024
Lynne Ackland - Volunteer Podcast
Lynne has a wealth of experience in the educational and charity sector and is committed to local volunteering. In this podcast she shares with us how important it is to engage and encourage young people in local volunteering and to ensure that charities and companies provide those opportunities.
Employability / December 11th, 2023
Skills for a Fast Changing World- with the Cranfield Trust and their Patron HRH Princess Anne
What an amazing opportunity and experience! As an extension of the success of our project with the Cranfield Trust, Christine Thomas our CEO attended their event at the Freemason's Hall, Great Queen Street in London on the 6th December 2023, with their Patron HRH Princess Anne.
Employability / November 30th, 2023
Maddy Parkin - Careers Podcast
Maddy Parkin, 32. Photographer running a business specialising in wedding photography. Her main job role is taking photos of my customers' weddings, however, there is a lot of work that goes into this: editing in creative software, creating online galleries, marketing, blog posts, liaising with customers, writing and amending contracts and creating shot lists, arranging client meetings, and more. Her passion is creativity, and feels her job encompasses all of this. Take a listen and find out more about a career in photography.