Benfieldside Community Garden is on the Good to Grow Map!
Benfieldside Community Garden is now on the Good to Grow map - we are delighted to be part of the Good to Grow network, and look forward to being involved in their events!
"Good to Grow (the new name for the Big Dig) is an online platform to support food growing in the UK, run by Sustain. The Good to Grow Network is all about getting people involved in their local community garden."
Our first event linked to Good to Grow, will be in the week of the 22nd to the 29th April - exact details to follow!
"Good to Grow Week celebrates the new growing season and is a chance for volunteers and community members to help out in their local garden, while supporting and enjoying the valuable community food growing spaces around the UK. It’s also a great way to get the garden ready for the growing season, promote growing for nature and build the Right to Grow movement across the UK."
We are very excited about this new venture, if you would like to volunteer, please get in touch!

Aspirations and Future Planning / December 1st, 2020
Future Planning
Future planning is essential. We always encourage young people to have a goal. Passing an exam is not enough. Why do they need the qualification? What are they going to do with it? If they do not do as well as expected, what is their plan?

Youth Social Action / August 9th, 2023
A Greener Future for Stanley - Environmental Youth Ambassador Project
Building Self-Belief CIO supported North Durham Academy to create a beautiful Community Wellbeing Garden. The aim was to create a wellbeing space that is both accessible and welcoming to the school and the community. As well as a space that will help to increase biodiversity in the area. We hoped to inspire young people to engage more with their environment as well as create a space they can be proud of.

Youth Social Action / January 8th, 2025
Know Your Neighbourhood Project / January 8th, 2025
Benfieldside Community Garden / January 8th, 2025
NE Charity Awards 2025, Maya Patterson
One of our fabulous volunteers, Maya Patterson achieved the Highly Commended Award at the NE Charity Awards in September 2025, for her voluntary work with Building Self-Belief CIO. She was recognised as a Young Charity Champion of the year for her major contribution to Building Self-Belief, in particular for her support with the youth clubs and at Benfieldside Community Garden. Well done Maya, this is very well deserved!