In the world of business, we often talk about the power of a strong network. But what does that really mean in practice? Sometimes, it all comes down to a single, well-placed introduction that can open up a world of new opportunities. This is exactly what happened for Andy Hill, the General Manager at Beamish Park Golf Club, after he joined DBN.
Since becoming a DBN member, Beamish Park Golf Club has seen a significant return on its investment in the network. The team has built strong connections, bringing businesses in to use the space for co-working and finding other networking groups that complement DBN's work.
However, the most impactful connection came through a DBN member and fellow local business leader, Christine Thomas, who runs the charity Building Self Belief. Christine introduced Beamish Park Golf Club to another fantastic charity, Learning for Life, which is based in Consett and Newcastle.
This single introduction has blossomed into a valuable partnership. Since the initial meeting, Beamish Park Golf Club has attended Learning for Life’s ball and awards evenings, delivered golf sessions at their centres, and is now providing individual lessons to two of their service users. This partnership is a powerful example of how a simple introduction can lead to meaningful, collaborative work that benefits both businesses and the wider community.
Andy and his team have also received continued support and encouragement from other DBN members. This success story proves that networking is about more than just swapping business cards; it's about building genuine relationships and leveraging those connections to create opportunities you never knew existed.
Find out more about becoming a DBN member and the benefits HERE
Andy's Testimonial
"Since joining DBN in January 2025, Beamish Park Golf Club has greatly benefited from the network and the businesses that attend the meetings. We've built strong connections with individuals who have brought co-working to Beamish, as well as other networking groups that complement the work of DBN.
Christine from Building Self-Belief introduced us to Learning for Life, a charity based in Consett and Newcastle. Since then, we've attended their ball and awards evenings, delivered golf sessions at their centres, and now even have two of their service users coming for individual lessons. Christine has also introduced us to several other organisations, with whom we’ve had initial discussions or are planning to deliver sessions.
Members of DBN have been very supportive of the golf club, and we thank them for their continued encouragement and involvement"
Andy Hill
Beamish Park Golf Club
