Regeneration Brainery, the national social mobility programme, is hosting its first North East “Brainery Week” for local young people. Taking place in Newcastle and Gateshead between 16–20 March 2026, the award-winning organisation, which inspires and mentors those aged 14 and over, will deliver an enriching week of hands-on workshops, site visits, soft skills coaching, and mentoring sessions.
Founded in 2017, Regeneration Brainery is dedicated to breaking down barriers to careers in property and regeneration. Through its immersive programmes, the organisation connects young people from all backgrounds with industry mentors, practical experiences, and ongoing support, helping them build confidence, develop skills, and access real opportunities in the built environment sector.
The NewcastleGateshead Brainery Week will be delivered in partnership with leading industry names including Bellway Homes, Capital & Centric, Karbon Homes, Faulkner Browns, Avison Young and more. Newcastle and Gateshead Councils will also partner with the organisation to deliver its inspirational content to young people from across the region, showcase the major investment planned in the area, and highlight the potential for public sector careers in the built environment.
During the week, students will gain exclusive behind‑the‑scenes access to some of the region’s most significant regeneration projects, such as Newcastle’s Pilgrim Quarter, Gateshead town centre and Town Hall project, and Forth Yard, offering insight into the diverse career pathways available within the sector.
By the end of the programme, participants will have gained valuable insight into the built environment industry, forged meaningful connections with employers, and developed the confidence and skills needed to pursue careers in property and regeneration. The event marks a significant milestone in Regeneration Brainery’s mission to equip tomorrow’s workforce by bringing its impactful Brainery Week to another UK city – its eighth – for the first time.
Newcastle and Gateshead has a highly developed urban economy based around knowledge-based industries, research and innovation and positions itself as a destination for culture and investment. Schemes including Gateshead Old Town Hall and Pilgrim Street continue to reshape the region at pace integrating heritage architecture with the innovative and green credentials needed in buildings of the future.
Regeneration Brainery continues to support participants beyond the Brainery Week, offering work experience placements, internships, networking, guidance, and help accessing further education, apprenticeships, and employment. Regeneration Brainery runs similar programmes in Manchester, London, Sheffield, Stoke, Liverpool, Leeds, and Birmingham, with plans to expand further in 2026.
Michele Steel, CEO of Regeneration Brainery, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to be bringing Regeneration Brainery to the North East for the first time, at such an exciting moment for Newcastle and Gateshead. The region’s growing momentum in property and regeneration is creating a real demand for new talent and skills, making it a critical moment to inspire local young people to see the built environment as a vibrant, accessible and rewarding career path.”
Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader, Newcastle City Council, said:
“The Regeneration Brainery Brainery Week is an incredible opportunity for young people in Newcastle to explore career options in the city’s built environment sector, everything from architecture and construction to planning and property law and we are thrilled to support the week’s activity in March.
“This is all about raising aspirations for our young people and it is so important that the industry is accessible for people from all backgrounds so that our city is a place that speaks to us all and works for us all. The scale of development and regeneration in our region is hugely exciting and I look forward to welcoming the first of many cohorts of students through the Brainery Week to see how they can play their part in shaping our future.”
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader, Gateshead Council, said:
“Gateshead is undergoing one of its most ambitious periods of regeneration, and it’s essential that our young people feel part of that story. Regeneration Brainery brings them right to the heart of the projects reshaping our town centre and wider borough, helping them see real pathways into meaningful careers. We’re proud to support a programme that broadens horizons, builds confidence, and ensures local talent can play a leading role in Gateshead’s future.”
