From skydiving in Manchester to producing a song about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, The Five GEMS have taken the KEY+ Challenge by storm, pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and growing in confidence every step of the way.
Building Confidence through KEY+
Before diving into their final challenge, The Five GEMS took part in two earlier KEY+ stages that helped them build the confidence and teamwork needed for their most ambitious idea yet.
Their first project saw them organise a fun-filled day in Sunderland, including dance, pampering, art, and fast-food lunch – all planning and managed by the group themselves. This experience helped them develop essential communication and organisational skills.
In Stage 2, the group travelled to Manchester, where they explored a huge play centre, went indoor skydiving, and even had a chance to go shopping together. Despite a last-minute change of plans from their original idea, they adapted quickly and worked together to create an unforgettable experience. Along the way, they learned how to navigate new places, manage stress, and support each other.
Stage 3 – Amplifying Voices for a Cause
For their final challenge, The Five GEMS wanted to create something meaningful. After exploring a few ideas, they decided to write and record a song that would raise awareness about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes – a topic close to the group’s heart: “One of the FIVE Gems recently found out they have type one diabetes, so we wanted to spread awareness to people our age.”
They wanted their message to be educational but fun – something that would stick in people’s minds: “Songs get stuck in your head so we thought it might be a good ear worm to have stuck inside of people’s heads so that they can get an idea of what it’s about and can understand it properly.” Songs make important messages stick in people’s minds long after the music ends.
The group worked with The Bunker and film experts, and although it was a big step outside of their comfort zones, they embraced the challenge.
The group said: "I think the biggest challenge, especially with our third project, was trying to figure out what to do, because we were stuck for a while and we came up with ideas but then we didn’t know if we wanted to do it, and eventually we came up with this idea of making a song.”
Creating the song involved real collaboration: “We wrote in lyrics as well. So, we had to decide with each other and see where to put it and stuff, so [we gained] decision-making [skills].”
Some members joined the group at Stage 3, stepping into an already formed team and rising to the challenge: “I felt a bit nervous because I am friends with them anyway but not as much as I am now, I didn’t really speak to them as much as I do now.” The Key asked the newer members how it felt to have their pitch approved, they told us that they felt a mix of excitement and surprise.
Despite the nerves, the group pulled together to create something they were proud of. Some of the members said the best parts of the project was “just hanging out with each other and doing stuff together” and that it brought them “closer.”
The group are proud to have shared a video that can help people “realise if they have any of the signs and if they can spot it with anyone else that they know.”
Their advice to other young people thinking about taking on a project? “Try to do something others wouldn’t think about” and “Don’t be scared to share your ideas.”
The Five GEMS took on the KEY+ Challenge with passion and creativity, using their voices – and their music – to raise awareness and make a real difference.
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