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


Aspirations and Future Planning / October 17th, 2024
Know Your Neighbourhood Project / October 17th, 2024
'Inclusion - How to Include without Excluding' A talk for the Digital Leaders online Conference
A talk by Christine Thomas with thoughts about how to empower individuals, particularly those with SEND, and within the context of her experiences as a teacher and manager of English in secondary schools.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / May 23rd, 2025
Youth Social Action / May 23rd, 2025
Kye's Kick Off / May 23rd, 2025
The Key+ supporting Kye's Kick Off
Check out this article that The Key have shared about Kye's Kick Off! The Key are a charity who support groups to reach their potential by taking on the Key+ challenge. The Kye's Kick Off group have completed stage 1 of the Key+ challenge and received the cost of the pitch hire from The Key. Thank you for their support!
Consett Heritage Project / February 13th, 2025
Kieron Kelly - Consett Heritage Podcast
Kieron Kelly, a fourth-generation resident of Consett, reflects on how life and opportunities in the town have changed since the closure of the steelworks. He also highlights the various volunteering and sporting opportunities available to children and young people in the area.