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!
Consett Heritage Project / March 8th, 2024
Jean Simmons - Consett Heritage Podcast
Our volunteer, Maisie Dobson, conducts an interview with her great-grandma, Jean Simmons, aged 96, discussing life and work in Consett during the peak of the Consett Steelworks era. During the conversation, Jean mentions a royal visit to the steelworks, prompting Maisie to enquire about its accuracy. Upon researching, we discovered that the event did indeed occur. Listen in to enjoy this unique recording, offering insights into the social history of Consett.
Benfieldside Community Garden / October 21st, 2024
Duncan Barnett - Volunteer Podcast
Take a listen and discover the origins of our very own community garden. As a district councillor representing Benfieldside in the 1990s, listen to Duncan Barnett's description of the establishment of a community garden in Benfieldside, the very garden that we now call Benfieldside Community Garden.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / July 18th, 2018
Dealing With Pressures in Education
Building self-belief in our young people is an essential element of their education. I recently received a thank you card from a Year 11 student who said “In such a short time period you have been amazing, thank you so much for helping me and being so kind.