31 King are bringing new life to FAR Fenham’s community garden through the KEY+ Challenge!

This KEY+ group got stuck in, painting the shed, revamping the garden, and fixing up the benches to make the space more inviting for everyone. Some of them had never worked on an allotment before or had this much creative freedom in a community space – so they had to step up their game!

Through this project, they developed a range of valuable skills, from teamwork and problem-solving to practical DIY and budgeting. They had to plan their time effectively, communicate with each other, and make decisions about how to bring their ideas to life.

These young people were supported to participate in KEY+ through Newcastle United Foundation and we caught up with Vinny and Charlie to hear all about their experience.

Vinny shared: “I’ve always wanted to work on an allotment, and I loved the painting, it’s my passion.” The creative freedom allowed Vinny to develop problem-solving skills and take ownership of the project.

For Charlie, it was all about giving back: “I wanted to help people […] allotments are good as you can grow healthy food and support the community.” This experience helped Charlie to gain a sense of responsibility and understand the impact of community work.

As for the hands-on work? Charlie said that decking was enjoyable: “it was really fun removing old wood and breaking it with a sledgehammer.” Learning practical DIY skills like this gave the group confidence in trying new things and working with tools!

So, how did it feel to complete their project? Vinny said “I feel proud making something with others” and Charlie said “It’s made me feel good as I was helping others and doing a great job.” Not only did they improve their communication, but they also gained a huge sense of achievement from seeing their hard work come together.

They also gave advice for anyone considering taking on a KEY+ project as Vinny said “Do it! It’s fun to work on something you enjoy.” And Charlie said: “It’s demanding but rewarding.”

By the end of the project, the group had gained confidence, learned how to manage resources, and understood the value of giving back to their community – all while having fun and making a real difference.

Amazing work, 31 King NUF!