SRC Supports ‘The Steel Thread’: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Community and Storytelling

Posted on 16 September 2025

SRC is proud to support ‘The Steel Thread’, an innovative schools initiative from Blind Tiger, headed up by Stockton-based musician and ‘community engineer’ Mike McGrother. This inspiring programme will work with young people as they transition from primary to secondary school, a time that can often be daunting. By developing a safe, creative space where students can share their voices, connect with their community and raise their aspirations, The Steel Thread will help build confidence and belonging at a pivotal age.

The Steel Thread was officially launched this summer to support children from 12 primary schools across East Cleveland as they prepared to move into Freebrough Academy in Brotton. A total of 130 Year 6 pupils worked with Mike and his creative team, which included musicians, dancers, magicians and volunteers from Mike’s Infant Hercules choir who all led the children through a series of exercises designed to better prepare them for the crucial next stage in their education. The programme began in June 2025 but, crucially, with support from SRC, alongside funding from the East Cleveland Good Neighbours Fund, activity will continue over the coming months to provide targeted support for the children who need it most.

The Blind Tiger team will continue to work alongside Freebrough Academy and the transition team at Redcar & Cleveland Council. The response has been unanimous with pupils describing the programme as “the best days ever,” whilst primary school headteachers commented that this had been amongst the very best transition programmes they had seen. Freebrough Academy staff added that their new pupils’  work readiness was incredibly high.

For over three decades, Mike has been bringing people together through his unique blend of music, storytelling and community action. From choirs like Infant Hercules, to social clubs where men share their stories, his creative projects weave together the industrial heritage of Teesside with the lives of its people,

Mike has built bridges between generations and is passionate about creating platforms where people of all ages can share stories, celebrate heritage and discover confidence in who they are. His approach draws on the region’s proud industrial past, seeing community itself as something worth strengthening.

He describes himself a ‘community engineer’ someone who uses empathy, creativity and connection to fix things that matter most: people’s sense of place and identity. Mike, also known as the frontman of the Wildcats of Kilkenny, has spent over 30 years working with communities across the North East. His work is rooted in the belief that storytelling and music are powerful tools to reconnect people with place and with each other.

Now, through his Erimus schools programme, Mike is turning his focus to students. He sees this as a natural extension of his mission: passing on the knowledge, stories and spirit of community to those just beginning to shape their own lives.

As Mike explains: “Place-based storytelling incorporating music is what I do. It’s not about buildings or bridges, it’s about the people. Community is key. We are all a product of the people who came before us and by sharing those stories we help the next generation understand who they are and what they can achieve.”

SRC’s support will provide vital funds to make The Steel Thread possible, ensuring that young people in the region have access to experiences that give them confidence, connection and aspiration.

For Graham Tyerman, managing director of SRC, backing this initiative was an easy decision: “At SRC, we believe it’s vital to support initiatives that strengthen community and nurture aspiration. Mike’s passion and vision is infectious and The Steel Thread initiative aligns with our values. It gives young people the confidence to dream bigger and be part of something meaningful; we’re proud to play a part in helping make that happen.”

Mike concluded: “By investing in The Steel Thread, SRC is helping to ensure that the spirit of Teesside, its resilience, creativity and community pride, continues to be passed down and celebrated; laying the foundations for a stronger, more connected future.”