Together For Our Planet Garden Transformation
At Building Self-Belief CIO we believe that Social Action is an important element of increasing and improving wellbeing and self worth. Our Environmental Programmes help young people develop better connections with their peers, their communities and it gives them a way of improving their own and other people’s lives for the better.
So many young people are conscious of the need to improve our environment and work towards a circular economy - and our projects are helping them do this. With a focus on the environment because of COP26 in Glasgow, we incorporated more of an eco-slant into our work.
Our Environmental Project at Consett Academy aimed to transform a derelict piece of land into a colourful garden for the school to use for educational and wellbeing purposes.
The garden situated just in front of the school was fenced off and out of bounds to pupils due to the ground being too contaminated by glass and rubble.
Thanks to our work with the Year 9 pupils from Consett Academy and funding from the National Lottery we have been able to successfully transform the garden. Furthermore, our work with the Year 9 pupils has helped to inspire an Environmental Ambassadors Youth Panel, which will help Building Self-Belief CIO deliver ‘green’ based schemes across the Consett Area.


“Because of Building Self-Belief, we have actually achieved our goal of making the area safe and serviceable. We now have a dedicated area for wildlife, with wild seeds sowed and new trees planted.Through Christine and Holly from Building Self-Belief we have now transformed that area to becoming truly eco-friendly. A huge thank you from the children and myself for BSBCIO’s unwavering financial and practical support. We love our wellbeing garden.”
- Ms S Hopkins, Consett Academy


Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / December 10th, 2024
Youth Social Action / December 10th, 2024
Aspirations and Future Planning / December 10th, 2024
The Importance of Vocational Visits to Aid Employability in Young People
At Building Self-Belief, one of the many programmes is the ‘Bridging the Gap’ Youth Employability Programme. Recently, this programme was conducted with year 10 boys from Boldon School. The first few workshops centred around improving wellbeing, and then the boys prepared for their vocational visit by working on goal setting, CV making and considering what makes a good employee.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / June 15th, 2026
Wellbeing and the Arts / June 15th, 2026
Stargate Pit Disaster, Crookhill Primary School / June 15th, 2026
'Pit Pony Nightmare'
This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. Told through the eyes of a pit pony, this poem highlights the harsh realities of mine life and the bond between animals and the young miners who cared for them.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / December 16th, 2018
Youth Social Action / December 16th, 2018
Aspirations and Future Planning / December 16th, 2018
Building Self-Belief in Teenage Boys' Programme
We had a brilliant experience working with these young people. We worked with them by building up their confidence by encouraging them to talk. We took them to the theatre, a restaurant and to the high ropes. They all learnt a great deal about each other and themselves.