In celebration of this year’s #iWillWeek, The Key asked some KEY+ Challenge completers from Newcastle College to share their stories with us. Studying Art and Design at Newcastle College, they got the opportunity to take on the KEY+ Challenge and make an impact through meaningful, creative works.
Miya, a student from Newcastle College who, with her KEY+ Group ‘The Four Samaritans’, decorated Kenton Care Home with art work and designs requested by residents to uplift spirits.
We asked Miya some questions about her experience participating in the KEY+ Challenge. When asked what role young people have in shaping the future of our society, she responded: “As the next generation entering the workforce, we bring fresh perspectives, and that’s something employers are actively looking for. It’s vital that we use our voices, not only to advocate for our own future but to keep pushing for a more inclusive, forward-thinking workplace.”
Miya believes there's many benefits to taking on KEY+ and getting involved in social action. She said “it’s given me real-world experience that’s so different from anything in school. I’ve learned to communicate effectively with people from all different age groups and abilities, and it’s built up my confidence to tackle tasks with diverse teams.”
Finally, we asked Miya how her social action project has helped her develop as a person: “It’s made me a lot more compassionate and aware of others’ needs. I’ve improved my communication skills, like coordinating dates with a care home and making sure I was respectful of the residents’ needs. It’s helped me build confidence around people from all walks of life.”
Next up, we spoke to Billy about his group ‘The Three Musketeers’. Billy’s group wanted to develop their skills in sculpture making, using recycled materials to create new and exciting pieces of artwork.
We asked Billy how this project has helped him: “I’ve had the chance to try new things and explore unique ways to develop skills and express creativity. Social action has allowed me to work on art that feels fresh, meaningful, and special.”
For Billy, the benefits of participating in social action work are: “social action has provided real-time experience in understanding the professional world. I’m getting a taste of what a job would be like, which is so valuable when you’re just starting out.” He continues to give advice for young people who want to make a difference in their community by saying “If you have an idea, go for it. You might regret it if you don’t take that first step and see where it could lead you.” (See image of Billy's project below).
Finally, we spoke to Elsi, whose group, ‘Revolutionize’, wanted to make a local theatre more friendly by painting a colourful, fun pattern to look at.
We asked Elsi about one social issue that she is passionate about: “I’m passionate about increasing funding for the arts. A lot of people graduate with amazing degrees, but they don’t have the practical work experience that employers want. More funding could support opportunities like The Key, which provides valuable, hands-on experience that boosts our resumes while helping others. I want to see more programs like this so that we’re better prepared for creative careers.”
Elsi then spoke about the role young people have in making the world a better place: “This generation faces more pressure than previous ones. It’s challenging – jobs aren’t always easy to find, university is expensive, and there’s no guarantee of a job at the end. But we’re tackling issues like gender equality and climate change, which demands our attention and resilience.”
Elsi also spoke about how social action enabled them to grow as a person, saying: “It’s been a completely different experience from anything I’ve done before. There was a lot of trust placed in me at the theatre we were painting in; they trusted us and the process, and that helped build my confidence.”
These stories highlight ways that the KEY+ Challenge empowers young people to make a positive change through social action.
Join in the conversation online by using #StillWeRise #IWillWeek #IWillWeek2024 #IWill
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The Key