The Friends Together is a group of young people that attend the SEND 16+ sessions every Thursday at The Box in Sunderland. The group have always been passionate about creating inclusive opportunities for young people with additional needs. Over the past year, they’ve worked through all three stages of The Key, building their skills and confidence along the way, while transforming their community through fun, accessible activities.

Their journey began with Stage One, where they planned and hosted a BBQ. It was a simple idea, but it gave the group a taste of what KEY+ was all about. Stage Two took things a step further, as they organised weekly discos, an event that became a huge hit. This idea grew from the fact that there is only one disco for young people to attend in Sunderland, but it can be quite expensive and not suitable for everyone. But, during their Stage Two project, the group noticed a challenge: not everyone enjoyed the same music, and some people found the volume overwhelming.

That’s when they came up with their boldest idea yet for Stage Three: investing in silent disco equipment so that everyone could enjoy music in their own way. They also hoped that this project would encourage young people who cannot attend The Box’s current provision due to their needs to come to community events.

Making discos accessible for people with additional needs was no small task. The group wanted to create a safe, fun space where young people aged 16-25 could attend with carers, parents, or personal assistants. They envisioned monthly silent discos that were self-sustaining, affordable, and welcoming to all.

To make this vision a reality, the Friends Together group threw themselves into research. Each member took responsibility for exploring different suppliers and equipment options. They compared prices, read reviews and discussed which setup would be easiest to use, maintain, and store. Through this process, they developed key skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Their facilitator reflected on the growth of the group: “The group benefited greatly from taking part in this ambitious project. All members gained valuable skills and experience through working as part of a team. They learned to respect each other’s opinions, to communicate effectively, before making decisions, and to share responsibilities fairly.”

And Jack reflected: “I found all the key stages really fun because I go to try something new with my friends and we were planning fun activities for other people to enjoy. […] Across all three stages, the biggest skill I developed was communication, which was something I struggled with before starting this project.”

Since purchasing their silent disco equipment, the group have already hosted three silent discos. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees sharing how much they enjoyed the experience. They’ve even taken things further, organising outdoor movie nights, where people could choose between watching a film or listening to music through the silent disco headphones – giving everyone freedom and choice.

The facilitator highlighted the positive effects perfectly: “All three young people who took part in the project have become more actively involved in running our Friends Together sessions since completing it. Their confidence has grown, and they are now taking on more responsibility, contributing ideas, and helping to plan and deliver activities."

The Friends Together group have shown what’s possible when young people lead with vision and determination. Their silent discos are not only filling a gap in Sunderland – where accessible discos for young people are uncommon – but they’re also creating a sustainable model that puts inclusivity first.

Through teamwork, resilience, and creativity, they’ve built something that will leave a lasting legacy.

Friends Together have proven that with the right support and opportunities, young people can create spaces where everyone belongs – and have fun doing it!