Building Self-Belief deliver programmes, projects, and training; all with the aim to build stronger communities by building self-belief. We have significantly improved the mental health, self-esteem and life chances of thousands of vulnerable young people across the North East, and we have lots of plans for exciting new projects.
Who do we help?
Building Self-Belief's core aim is to build stronger communities by building self-belief. We run a series of programmes for children in areas that are socio-economically ‘deprived’ according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) measures.
We deliver group workshops around wellbeing, building aspiration, future planning, teambuilding and cultural activities to support vulnerable young people in building better local communities.
As we have evolved, we also have to fabulous community spaces. Benfeldside Community Garden for our eco projects, toddler group, and gardening clubs, plus a fabulous space for Forest School. We also have a new community building at Steel Street, in the heart of Consett, where we deliver numerous community sessions.
Our Programmes
Research into young people's mental health has concluded that they are most vulnerable when having to cope with change. Therefore, we have created our programmes to support young people when they are most in need of emotional support.
Building Self-Belief Main Programmes:
- Wellbeing Programme
- Heritage Programme
- Employability Programme
- Environmental Programme
Our Projects
Working in collaboration with others is something that we think is extremely important. We conduct a range of projects, some have been transforming spaces, others have been heritage projects. Connecting young people and connecting communities is an essential way to build self-belief.
Our Research
We have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to working with young people and establishing how to get the very best out of them. Nevertheless, we feel it is important that we are always learning. Conducting our own primary research is an important element of what we do. We are delighted to be currently working with professionals and interns from Newcastle University to coordinate what has the potential to be very informative research.
Who we Sponsor
We are absolutely delighted to be sponsoring Consett Anarchy fooball team. They approached us when they were short of funds to buy a kit and coats, so we stepped up as this is a great way to give something back in support of the local community. Our volunteer, Eddie Thomas, is also a Consett AFC first team player, so he came along to present the shirts and deliver a training session to the team. If you would like support from us for any projects in the community, please get in touch!
Forest School - Coming Soon!
As a team we are working towards delivering official Forest School sessions. Part of our work this summer, will to work with our gardening club, to create a stronger Forest school ethos as a section our Benfieldside Community Garden. By September 2026, we will ready to launch our very own Forest School sessions for all ages! Watch this space!
Success stories
Consett Heritage Project / March 12th, 2025
Delves Lane Primary School Poetry Anthology Part 2
The children at Delves Lane Primary School learnt about the history of the Consett Steelworks and developed their understanding of the impact that the steelworks closure had, and continues to have, on the community. They created paintings, poems and decorated a quilt. Each group chose a photo relating to the Consett Steelworks, and wrote their own poems using poetic techniques. We hope you enjoy them!
Wellbeing and the Arts / Consett Heritage Project / June 7th, 2023
Wellbeing and the Arts / Consett Heritage Project / June 7th, 2023
Voices of Consett- Shauna
Shauna's contribution is the first in our series called 'Voices of Consett'. Our aim is to have over 100 editions from a whole variety of people who live in Consett. This is all part of our Consett Heritage Project. There will be recordings of the voices, and they will also be visually represented and form part of our final exhibition.
Consett Heritage Project / May 14th, 2024
Brian Harrison - Consett Heritage Podcast
Brian Harrison is a local historian and many of you may know him as the company director for the Consett Heritage and Arts Centre. We sat down with him and discussed the origins of his love for history, his thoughts on the most significant moments of the steelworks, and more!