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


Environmental / December 11th, 2025
Tow Law Eco Ambassadors Project Film & Booklet
Watch our Tow Law Eco Ambassadors Film of our 2 year project with Tow Law Millennium Primary School and Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School.
Employability / September 14th, 2026
Volunteering / September 14th, 2026
Our Awards / September 14th, 2026
Sophie's Reflections on her Placement Year with Building Self-Belief
Sophie has been a fabulous placement psychology student from the University of Newcastle. She has spent the 2025- 2026 academic year working with us here at Building Self-Belief, and here are her reflections, some of her numerous achievements. What is evident is how much she has grown both personally and professionally over her time with Building Self-Belief.
Heritage / September 30th, 2025
Thomas's Celebration of Stanley
Thomas was born in Shotley Bridge Hospital, but grew up in Shield Row, one of the villages surrounding Stanley. He is 28 years old and was once a Stanley Town Councillor. Read his thoughts on Stanley's present and future here...