The Geordie Girls are a group of young carers from Newcastle who first met through Newcastle Carer’s young carers group.
While they share a friendship, what truly connects them is something deeper – a mutual understanding of what it means to care for others from a young age. Taking part in the KEY+ Challenge gave them something they rarely get: the chance to focus on themselves: “We felt inspired to take on the KEY+ Challenge because it looked interesting and challenging. We were excited to develop our teamwork skills by building on relationships and taking on new challenges.”
Their project goal was simple but powerful as they wanted to bond, build confidence and start developing the skills needed for future stages of the KEY+ Challenge.
Together, they planned a full day out: a meal to help them connect as a team, boba tea for fun, and an escape room challenge to push their problem-solving and cooperation skills. The group said that “We wanted to do the escape room because we could work as a team to solve problems.”
None of the group had ever done an escape room before – and for young people who carry a lot of day-to-day responsibility, it was a rare opportunity to just be together, laugh, and be challenged in a totally different way. The experience gave them the time to be young people first, carers second. They said that they enjoyed the activity “because it was fun and got us out of the house. The actual process of planning together was useful to learn about overcoming challenges using our good sense of communication.”
The group faced planning hurdles such as agreeing where to eat, juggling timing and sticking to a budget and they successfully handled it as a team! But the real test came with the pitch. For all of them, it was a first. Some were nervous, but they supported each other with quiet encouragement and kind words, and every single one of them stepped up when it counted. The success of presenting was something the group were proud of: “We felt proud that the presentation in front of the panel went well.”
When we asked The Geordie Girls what they were most proud of, they replied with: “We were most proud of ourselves.” For one group member, trying new food at a restaurant was a personal victory: “Trying new food at a restaurant felt really rewarding as I am used to my safe foods.” Another reflected on how the experience changed them: “This experience has made us feel accomplished. We were surprised at how well we worked under pressure.”
Through this KEY+ project, the Geordie Girls didn’t just build a stronger friendship. They built confidence, trust in one another, and the foundations for what’s next. Now they’re ready for Stage 2 and for anything else they set their minds to.
Their advice to other young people taking on the KEY+ Challenge? “Do it if you like a challenge! Make sure you are open to other people’s ideas and have fun!” And “make sure you build a good connection with your group of people.”
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The Key