Our Latest Insights
Here you can read the latest on news, events, stories, and blog posts.
Environmental / Our Awards / September 21st, 2026
OUTSTANDING - Benfieldside Community Garden at the Northumbria in Bloom Awards
Building Self-Belief are absolutely delighted to be awarded the grade of OUTSTANDING by the judges at Northumbria in Bloom 2026. Achieving this at our first attempt is amazing and testament to the hard work from the community and volunteers. The following blog outlines the feedback from the judges and shows how far we have come.
Wellbeing / Employability / Our Awards / September 15th, 2026
NE Charity Awards Charity Partnership with Karbon Homes
The corporate charity partnership between Karbon Homes and Building Self-Belief CIO has had a huge and positive impact upon the lives of hundreds of people located in in the Consett and Stanley areas of County Durham across many years. It is a genuine, long term partnership where our shared commitment to the communities that support is central to all that we do.
Employability / Volunteering / 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.
Environmental / August 28th, 2026
Going Green Together Panel
Going Green Together is about bringing North East VCSE organisations together to share ideas, learn from each other and take practical environmental action with support along the way. We were delighted to be a part of their Environmental Panel.
Wellbeing / Employability / August 3rd, 2026
The Importance of Work Based Learning - Serena
Serena is our latest intern from the University of Sunderland. As part of their final year in their Psychology degree, students get a work placement option. I asked Serena if I could share her thank you message, as I feel it gives a brilliant insight into how important work placements are, alongside academic work.
Wellbeing / Employability / July 31st, 2026
Aimee's Achievements
Take a read of Aimee's post about her achievments both with us and at Newcastle University. She has done amazingly well, and we are very proud of her.
Fundraising / July 31st, 2026
Hadrian's Wall Challenge 2026
On the 17th May 2026, three of our team, Peter, Grace, Sophie and Louis hiked 22k across Hadrian's Wall to raise money for Building Self-Belief!! This challenge was tough and rewarding, it combines the joy of our local history with a physical and mental challenge, and we are truly grateful for your support.We riased nealry £900, thank you to everyone for their contributions. All donations go towards supporting some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the North East.
Environmental / July 16th, 2026
St Joseph's Eco Ambassador Project
Our Eco Ambassadors from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School have been working on an Eco Tree Mural within their school grounds alongside our Eco Project with them. The children worked incredibly hard and we're so proud of the results!
Fundraising / July 16th, 2026
Building Self-Belief Charity Golf Fundraising Day
Our Charity Golf Fundraising Day was a wonderful success, bringing together a fantastic group of supporters for an enjoyable day of golf, fundraising, and community spirit.
Employability / July 13th, 2026
North Shields Children's Youth Employability and Financial Literacy Programme
Over the past few months, Year 6 pupils from Christ Church C of E Primary School have taken part in Building Self Belief CIO’s ‘North Shields Children’s Youth Employability and Financial Literacy Programme. Throughout the programme, the children explored their strengths, learned about branding and marketing, discovered different career pathways, developed essential employability skills and took part in a financial literacy workshop delivered by Newcastle Building Society.
Wellbeing / Environmental / July 13th, 2026
Social Impact of Benfieldside Community Garden
As part of our grant reporting process, we have to provide evidence of the impact of our work. Please see below, where the Headteacher of Benfieldside Primary School has outlined the variety of ways having access to Benfieldside Community Garden as a communty space has had a positive impact on the children and the staff of the school.
Wellbeing / Digital Inclusion / July 2nd, 2026
Lived Experience of Digital Inclusion Event
We were delighted to host Digital Unite's Lived Experience of Digital Inclusion Event, where we had a broader look at digital exclusion across communities, including real stories from people.
Environmental / June 29th, 2026
Benfieldside Community Garden Official Launch
Special moments from the official launch of Building Self Belief’s very own community garden, a project we’ve been developing and working towards over the past few years.
Heritage / June 12th, 2026
Commemorating The 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster
Here is a documentary showcasing the wonderful work completed by Year 5 and Year 6 pupils at Crookhill Primary School as they explored the history and impact of the Stargate Pit Disaster, 200 years after the tragedy took place.
Heritage / June 15th, 2026
'James Dreams'
This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. In this poem, 15-year-old James Robson, this poem reflects on the hopes, dreams, and lost childhoods of the young boys who worked and died in the Stargate Pit Disaster.
Heritage / June 30th, 2026
'The Day John Dies, His Mother Cries and Cries'
This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. In this poem, 15-year-old James Robson, this poem reflects on the hopes, dreams, and lost childhoods of the young boys who worked and died in the Stargate Pit Disaster.