KEY+ group, Around the World, based at Justice Prince Youth Club, set out to create something meaningful for their local community: an event that would celebrate diversity, bring people together, and help young people learn more about cultures beyond their own.
Their idea was simple but powerful – using food, activities and shared experiences to break down barriers and reduce stereotypes. The group wanted to reach young people and families from diverse backgrounds, particularly those who may not have strong social connections within the estate. Working closely with the Justice Prince HAF team, they planned an Eid celebration at the Longbenton Community Garden, supported by flyers and social media to encourage as many local residents as possible to attend.
See the video of their Eid celebration for Longbenton Community below:
Over several weeks, the young people took part in a cultural journey, focusing on a different part of the world each week. Through music, quizzes, creative activities and trying new foods, they build their understanding of diversity while also developing teamwork and planning skills.
Group member Layla explained: “We’re learning about different cultures every week, about the foods and what they celebrate but at the same time also learning how to budget it.”
To wrap up their project, the group then spent some time reflecting on what they enjoyed, how this benefitted and impacted the community and how this has impacted them.
In the future, they want to try other international foods this week and have more of what foods they have enjoyed most. They are also planning to use the reflection session as an opportunity to come up with more events to invite the community to.
The group said that their favourite experiences from their time exploring other cultures and countries were:
- Layla said: “Doing some of the activities we did like the Diwali light festival where we chucked like coloured chalk powders off each other was fun.”
- Sofia shared: “The Diwali festival. So, we went to the park and hoyed loads of colour over each other, but we had white tops on.” Archie agreed with Sofia!
- Alannah: “I quite liked doing different music from different places and trying new things.”
Building Skills and Community Pride:
As the project progressed, the group noticed real changes in themselves. They developed confidence, improved communication skills and formed stronger friendships.
The group also developed key skills including budgeting, teamwork, leadership and creativity. Alannah, said: “I would say we’ve worked on teamwork a lot and like budgeting and creativity and stuff.” Layla added: “And confidence because not many of us spoke up and like we weren’t very confident speaking but now I think we’re all very confident around each other.”
Young people also spoke about how the project helped them build connections and feel part of something bigger.
Louie reflected on the group’s growth: “At the start there was only like six of us and then after a few weeks there was about 12 of us. And it’s made more progress to the Longbenton community because everyone can take part in different stuff.”
And Lyla shared: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved as a group together.”
Creating Positive Change in Longbenton
For the young people, learning about different cultures wasn’t just about trying new foods, it was about understanding others and building respect.
Charlie explained: “It helps us understand how other religions and other countries celebrate their religion.”
The group also recognised how important it was for the wider community to learn and celebrate together. Layla said: “It’s important because I don’t think many people really understand what they’re actually celebrating so I think it’s good for them to know what they’re celebrating and doing.”
Alannah added: “celebrating other people’s beliefs and like what they like to do is something that makes you appreciate other people as well.”
This groups project showed what can happen when young people are trusted to lead. By bringing residents together through culture, conversation and shared experiences, they helped strengthen community connections and create a more inclusive environment.
The group also highlighted the importance of having opportunities like this locally. Lyla explained: “If we didn’t get funding we would have nothing to do in the community and would just roam around the streets causing bother so it’s better to be in an enclosed space where we can’t get into bother. Be in the community, have teamwork and make Longbenton community better.”
Through their commitment, creativity and teamwork, the young people of Justice Prince Youth Club have shown how learning about diversity can bring people together – and how young people can play a powerful role in shaping a stronger community for everyone.
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The Key