Exciting News about our Community Garden
Building Self-Belief are delighted to be a new member of the the Social Farms and Gardens. We are in the final stages of securing our 25 year lease in Benfieldside Community Garden. Once this has been confirmed, we are ready to get going on what will be a fabulous transformation.
We Need Your Help
As a project we will need as much support as possible from the community. As a community garden we want to create a fabulous space that people of all ages can contribute to and enjoy. There will be planters for growing food, and wildflower areas, some mature trees are already there. What we want to d is involve the community on how we redesign the space.
What underpins our purpose is that it is well known that gardening is so good for our physical and our mental health. In our area, many people only have back yards, therefore to have access to a garden is a brilliant new addition to their lives.
Here are some of the benefits to being involved in community gardening:
- Outdoor gardening can help your body fight disease
- Regular gardening builds strength, promotes sleep and helps maintain a healthy body weight
- Gardening can help protect your memory as you get older
- Gardening is a mood booster
- Gardening calms you after a stressful event
- Community gardens foster a feelings of connectivity
- Gardening can five you a feeling of empowerment
We are open to suggestions about how the space is used, we are also happy for people to give up as much time as they can afford to help us get this project off the ground. If you would like to volunteer in the garden for us, please get in touch.
Volunteering / January 8th, 2025
Environmental / January 8th, 2025
Our Awards / 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!
Wellbeing / August 24th, 2023
The Learning for Life Sensory Room Project | Building Self-Belief
Young people from Consett Academy and Learning for Life joined forces to design and equip and new sensory space. They challenged youth loneliness, broke down social barriers, built lasting friendships and engaged with local businesses. It was a fabulous project and we all loved every minute of it. The Programme was funded by the Derwent Valley AAP and supported by local businesses.
Heritage / December 16th, 2025
"Watching not Living" Poem - South Stanley Junior School
This poem was created by Mary and Amelia, Year 6 pupils at South Stanley Junior School as part of our 'Celebrating Stanley' project.