Why Volunteer?

Aspirations and Future Planning / Know Your Neighbourhood Project / October 3rd, 2023

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding things that you can do in life. It takes a very special person to give up their own time to help others in need. As part of our Know Your Neighbourhood programme, you have the opportunity to join our team and make a difference in our community.

What does the community get out of Volunteers

In today’s economic climate – almost everyone is struggling to survive. For the young people and families that Building Self-Belief work with, the major increase in the cost of living has led for a need for them to actually survive on a day-to-day basis. It is at times like these that society needs volunteers more than ever. People like you, who are prepared to put themselves out to help people who are most in need.

What do you get out of volunteering?

Here is some feedback from Shauna, one of our volunteers:

‘I've found volunteering to be incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable. It
not only provides a wonderful opportunity to meet new people but also
unites individuals in the pursuit of making the world a better place
through small, meaningful actions.’

Here are some of the benefits:

Gaining new skills

This is particularly useful for young people who are considering particular careers, and through volunteering can get an in insight into whether they are suitable to work in certain environments. This also applies to people considering a change of career. Through volunteering with us, getting the chance to work with children and young people will give you a great insight into whether this is the kind of career you would like to pursue.

Enhanced DBS And Safeguarding Training

As part of our volunteering package linked to Know Your Neighbourhood, we will also pay for your Enhanced DBS to work with children and young people. We will also provide Safeguarding training. You will also get one of our Building Self-Belief hoodies!

Making New Friends

In a post Covid era, many people have lost touch with friends and with people they once knew in the community. Volunteering is a perfect way to alleviate loneliness and reconnect with your community. This is a great way to make new friends – and reconnect with old ones.

Mental and Physical Health and Wellbeing

Volunteering with us will give you access to all sorts of activities that will challenge you physically, mentally and emotionally. In many ways, seeing how other people are struggling and helping them where you can, is a great way of putting any issues you face into a context. Helping others is a way of helping yourself, you will become more resilient.

Giving something back

You will have most likely received support from others in wats that you may not even realise. Volunteering gives you that opportunity to ‘pay it forward’, to give something back to your Consett community.

Improving your confidence

With our support, you can push your social boundaries, improve your own self-confidence, do things that you never thought you were capable of. Volunteering is a perfect way to develop confidence, and work on your interpersonal skills and try new things. Through volunteering with Building Self-Belief, you will build your self-belief.

How can you Volunteer and help Building Self-Belief?

Know Your Neighbourhood

We are looking for volunteers to support at our Youth Club sessions and our series of Digital pop-up events for older people in the community. As part of this, we will pay for your Enhanced DBS and give you Safeguarding training. There will also be a BSB hoodie, and volunteer costs. This is an exciting project, and we have lots of opportunities where you can come and help.

Consett Heritage Project

As part of our Consett heritage project we are also looking for volunteers for our Voices of Consett, Podcasts, and to deliver our local history talks. Get in touch if you can help. 

Benfieldside Community Garden

We are nearly there, after many months, we are about to secure a 25 year lease on our very own community garden. There are so many ways you can help. Digging, planting, clearing the garden. Design, planting and organising the garden. Donating plants, tools and time would be a great help to us.

Youth Panel

Join our Youth Panel, we can offer you a series of fabulous and unique experiences that will build your confidence and give you some amazing opportunities. See our latest Youth Manifesto for some ideas about what we do.

The most important thing about volunteering is that it is a break from the norm and you should enjoy it – have fun and learn something new!

Are you up for it? If you are – volunteer with us. 


Get in touch

Aspirations and Future Planning / May 20th, 2024

Know Your Neighbourhood Project / May 20th, 2024

Benfieldside Community Garden / May 20th, 2024

Katie Baggott - Volunteer Podcast

Durham Community Action and Building Self Belief reflect on the impact Good to Grow Week has made in County Durham and chat about the power of volunteering to increase community gardening in the local area of Benfieldside in Consett.

Wellbeing and the Arts / April 15th, 2024

Consett Heritage Project / April 15th, 2024

Know Your Neighbourhood Project / April 15th, 2024

Benfieldside Community Garden / April 15th, 2024

The Restoration of the Giant’s Foot

Easter was the perfect opportunity to encourage volunteers to come and help us at Benfieldside Community Garden. We were absolutely delighted to have over 45 volunteers of all ages, over the two days. Such events are a true testament to what can be achieved when we all work together. We had an egg hunt, used the Storytelling Corner, and most significantly, renovated the Giant’s Foot!

Youth Social Action / January 30th, 2025

Aspirations and Future Planning / January 30th, 2025

Careers Event at North Durham Academy, Stanley.

On Thursday 23rd January 2025, we hosted a Careers Event at North Durham Academy, sponsored by Karbon Homes, which was a huge success! We had 30 visitors kindly give up their time to speak to the students about their careers, job roles, companies and their journeys to get to their current positions. The students then had the opportunity to ask questions to the visitors to find out more about their choices at 16, what qualifications are required for their job and any challenges or barriers they have faced in their career.