BCT Aspire

02/09/2026

✨🔔 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IS NOW OPEN ACROSS TEES VALLEY 🔔✨

The funding is for projects creating positive experiences for young people aged 14–25 across Tees Valley, particularly:
• care experienced young people
• LGBTQ+ young people
• young people with learning disabilities and neurodiverse young people
• young people excluded from school or at risk of exclusion

We want to support practical and imaginative ideas that help young people build confidence, belonging, trusted relationships and a stronger voice.

Young people often tell us that it is the moments when they feel seen, included and supported that stay with them. Through Core Memories Tees Valley, we want to give local organisations the resources to create more of those memories.

As part of the EOI process, we are inviting organisations to submit a word document (No more than two A4 pages) outlining your thoughts on what you will deliver, the target group you will work with and how young people have been and or/will be involved in co-creating this proposal.

If you have any questions, queries and/or initial thoughts in advance of submitting an EOI, then please feel free to email [email protected]

We look forward to help make a real difference to young people across Tees Valley 🌈

01/09/2026

A big shout out to our very own Ste Mulloy and Tina on completing the Middlesbrough Ali Brownlee 5k 🏃 from all at BCT Running Club well done Ste we proud of you

01/09/2026

We are extremely proud to announce that Tees Valley YMCA has been granted funding to deliver their Core Memories programme. Please see below for further information and please get in touch if you would like additional information on this funding opportunity.

YMCA Tees Valley are excited to share that, thanks to the Henry Smith Foundation and BCT Aspire, we are able to launch two targeted sessions to support young people across our communities.

One session will support neurodiverse young people, creating a space where they can build confidence, develop skills and recognise their strengths.

The second will support young people who are not currently in employment, education or training, helping them build resilience, confidence and practical skills to take their next steps.

From volunteering to employment, we'll be helping young people discover what they are capable of, build experience and open doors to new opportunities and brighter futures.

31/08/2026

YOU’VE GOT THIS! 🌟

This week marks the beginning of a brand-new chapter for so many of our amazing young people! 📚✨

Whether you’re heading back to school or college, starting somewhere completely new, moving up to the next big step, or simply getting back into the routine — we want you to know how proud we are of you! 👏🏻

New beginnings can feel exciting, scary, overwhelming, or a little bit of everything all at once… and that’s okay! Remember to believe in yourself, take things one day at a time, be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it 🌈

We hope you have the best first week back, make lots of new friends, create wonderful happy memories and discover lots of exciting new things along the way.

Believe in yourself. Take that next step. Be proud of how far you’ve come.

🎒📚 YOU’VE ABSOLUTELY GOT THIS! 💪💙

⸻

🔔 A LITTLE NOTE FROM BCT ASPIRE 🔔

Although many of our young people are heading back to school and college this week, our regular BCT Aspire sessions are still enjoying a little summer break! ☀️

Take a look at our opening hours here to see when each of our sessions will be returning.

We cannot wait to welcome you all back! 😁We’re looking forward to hearing all about your summer adventures, your first days back, the new things you’ve learned and all the memories you’ve already started making!

Until then, enjoy that first week, be kind to yourselves and remember…

💫 NEW SCHOOL YEAR. NEW ADVENTURES. NEW MEMORIES 💫

See you all very soon! 👋🏻

27/08/2026

We are extremely proud to announce Billingham Boxing Academy has been granted funding to deliver their Core Memories programme.

27/08/2026

We are extremely proud to announce that Billingham Boxing Academy has been granted funding to deliver their Core Memories programme. Please see below for further information and please get in touch if you would like additional information on this funding opportunity.

27/08/2026

Be like Karen come join our Running Club

Well… this is a lovely thing to find yourself reading at 65 🥹❤️

I’m honoured and amazed to have been featured in the September 2026 edition of Women’s Running Magazine UK talking about my running journey-and my mission to encourage more women over 60 to get moving, get outside and discover just how much fun running can be.

The funny thing is, I never set out to become “a runner”.

I was 50 when my doctor suggested I give it a go. My first run was awful. I hated it. 😂

A friend then persuaded me to try Couch to 5K, and somewhere along the way I realised that maybe this running lark wasn’t so bad after all…

There have been marathons, last-place finishes, spectacularly slow runs, beautiful trails, plenty of discomfort, and more than a few moments of wondering what on earth I was doing.

But the biggest lesson?

You don’t have to be young, fast or naturally sporty to be a runner. You just have to start.

Running has given me so much-strength, confidence, adventure, friendships, time in nature and a community that welcomes you exactly as you are.

So if you’re sitting there thinking, “I’m too old to start…”

I’d really like to change your mind. ❤️

Start with a walk. Run for 30 seconds. Stop. Start again. Go slowly. Laugh at yourself. Celebrate the tiny wins.

Trust me, the view from here is pretty wonderful. 🏃‍♀️🌿

Thank you Women's Running UK for telling my story. ❤️

24/08/2026

We are extremely proud to announce that Blank Canvas has been granted funding to deliver their Core Memories programme. Please see below for further information and please get in touch if you would like additional information on this funding opportunity.

24/08/2026

Come along and join our Running Club all ages and abilities welcome Tuesday and Thursday 5.30pm