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.
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.
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.
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.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / July 15th, 2022
Youth Social Action / July 15th, 2022
Wellbeing and the Arts / July 15th, 2022
North Shields Fish Quay Community Heritage Project | Christ Church C of E Primary School
During the summer term of 2022, we were thrilled to deliver our Heritage Programme to the children of Christ Church C of E Primary School. During this programme, the children researched the way that North Shields Fish Quay, and the local fishing industry, has shaped the lives of local people over hundreds of years.

Youth Social Action / July 18th, 2021
Wellbeing and the Arts / July 18th, 2021
Consett Heritage Project / July 18th, 2021
Delves Lane Primary School | Consett Steelworks Heritage Project
In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the closure of Consett Steelworks we delivered a project where we looked back at the whole history of the town of Consett, and the huge influence the steelworks had on the local community.

Aspirations and Future Planning / December 11th, 2023
Skills for a Fast Changing World- with the Cranfield Trust and their Patron HRH Princess Anne
What an amazing opportunity and experience! As an extension of the success of our project with the Cranfield Trust, Christine Thomas our CEO attended their event at the Freemason's Hall, Great Queen Street in London on the 6th December 2023, with their Patron HRH Princess Anne.