What we do

What We Do What We Do

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. We run a newly launched community centre and a Kew Gardens award winning community garden.

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.

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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
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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.

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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. Over the years we have collaborated with professionals and interns from Newcastle University to coordinate what has the potential to be very informative research. We also work closely with the Centre for Social Justice and regularly attend consultations about pverty in the north east, and how to alleviate it.

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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!

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Forest School

As a team we are working with Benfieldside Primary School to deliver 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!

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Success stories

Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Employability / March 16th, 2022

Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Employability / March 16th, 2022

Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Employability / March 16th, 2022

Empowering Consett’s Youth

Building Self-Belief’s mission as a charity it to empower young people and give them the strategies and the self-belief to take ownership of their lives. Our mission is to “Build Stronger Communities through Building Self-Belief’ and we feel that a strong Youth Panel is the perfect way to give young people a voice and ensure that they have a say in their own community.

Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Employability / July 31st, 2026

Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / Employability / July 31st, 2026

Wellbeing / Youth Social Action / 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.

Exercise, Health and Nutrition / Volunteering / Environmental / March 22nd, 2024

Exercise, Health and Nutrition / Volunteering / Environmental / March 22nd, 2024

Exercise, Health and Nutrition / 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!

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