Our Latest Insights
Here you can read the latest on news, events, stories, and blog posts.
Environmental / July 2nd, 2025
Benfieldside Communty Garden's Early July Update
Here is Building Self-Belief's .July update about the work at Benfieldside Community Garden. The areas where the paths will be have been scraped out - and next week the 2000 blocks will be laid to edge the path... Take a look at the work so far!
Volunteering / Environmental / June 19th, 2025
Mayors Opportunity Fund - Green Hands Together
With help from the Mayor's Opportunity Fund, they have helped us transform Benfieldside Community Garden from derelict land. Their support has made a huge difference and we have enlisted young people to the Green Hands Together project to work on the garden, creating a flourishing community space. It has brought everybody together.
Volunteering / Environmental / February 3rd, 2025
Benfieldside Community Garden - January 2025 Update
Here's a short update of where we are up to with out plans for Benfieldside Community Garden. We are working through the winter, to get as much as we can in place so the community can enjoy the space over the summer months. A massive thank you to our volunteers, we couldn't do it without you!
Volunteering / Environmental / Our Awards / January 13th, 2025
RHS School Gardening Awards Levels 1 & 2
We are proud to share that we have achieved both Level 1 and Level 2 of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening Awards for our work renovating Benfieldside Community Garden! We have received a variety of seeds to plant in the garden, a growing calendar and certificates. Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who help to make this happen! Next step- Level 3!
Volunteering / Environmental / Our Awards / 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!
Environmental / December 9th, 2024
Tow Law Eco-Ambassadors Film
We have had a wonderful year with the Tow Law Eco-Ambassadors during our Environmental Project with The Energy Saving Trust and Airbnb who are kindly supporting us with the programme. Here is our Christmas Tow Law Eco Ambassadors film, which showcases all the amazing work they have completed so far.
Volunteering / Environmental / November 25th, 2024
Benfieldside Community Garden's First Birthday
What a year we have had! We have transformed a derelict space into a fabulous community asset. Plus there's even more to come. Take a look at our fabulous booklet to get a full appreciation of all of the work we have done!
Environmental / October 21st, 2024
Duncan Barnett - Volunteer Podcast
Take a listen and discover the origins of our very own community garden. As a district councillor representing Benfieldside in the 1990s, listen to Duncan Barnett's description of the establishment of a community garden in Benfieldside, the very garden that we now call Benfieldside Community Garden.
Environmental / Our Awards / May 22nd, 2024
It's Official - Building Self-Belief are Investors in the Environment!
Building Self-Belief is absolutely delighted to have been awarded the Investors in the Environment Bronze Award!!
Employability / Volunteering / Environmental / 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.
Volunteering / Environmental / May 2nd, 2024
Good to Grow 2024
Good to Grow 2024 came at a perfect time for our projects at Benfieldside Community Garden. We have done a huge amount of work to clear the site, after years of neglect, and in April we found ourselves ready to plant.
Heritage / Volunteering / Environmental / 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!
Volunteering / Environmental / March 22nd, 2024
Benfieldside Community Garden is on the Good to Grow Map!
Benfieldside Community Garden is now on the Good to Grow map - we are delighted to be part of the Good to Grow network, and look forward to being involved in their events!
Volunteering / Environmental / October 13th, 2023
Exciting News about our Community Garden
Building Self-Belief are delighted to be a new member of the the Social Farms and Gardens. We are in the final stages of securing our 25 year lease in Benfieldside Community Garden.
Volunteering / Environmental / Our Awards / October 4th, 2023
Investors in the Environment, Building Self-Belief, working towards our Bronze Award.
Building Self-Belief are delighted to be part of the Investors in the Environment, working towards our Bronze Award. We are in the process of completing a series of tasks that will ensure we are doing everything possible to create the greenest of environments for our staff and stakeholders. We have our 'Green Champion', Shauna Nixon in place and we look forward to achieving our first award.
Wellbeing / Environmental / August 14th, 2023
A Greener Future for Stanley
Gardening is one of the best activities to support health and wellbeing, and the love and dedication our Year 9 Eco Ambassadors have shown for their North Durham Academy Community Wellbeing Garden is a classic example of this.