Together For Our Planet Garden Transformation

Youth Social Action / Aspirations and Future Planning / Exercise, Health and Nutrition / June 14th, 2022

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. 

Take a look at their amazing work

“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

Youth Social Action / May 21st, 2024

Consett Area Youth Consultation

Tell us how you would like the Consett Area to look by 2036. What can we all do to improve on what we already have? What ideas do you have to ensure the continued and positive growth of the Consett Area?

Youth Social Action / January 8th, 2025

Know Your Neighbourhood Project / January 8th, 2025

Benfieldside Community Garden / 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!

Consett Heritage Project / September 9th, 2024

Joan Colling - Consett Heritage Podcast

Joan is from a family who have lived and worked in Consett for many generations. She worked at the steelworks and discussed her role at the steelworks, and the impact the closure had on her family, friends and the community as a whole.