KEY+ Stories

In Gateshead, a group of young people known as The Quacker Ducks turned a bold idea into a powerful project. By creating their own feminist zines, they set out to challenge harmful narratives, spark conversations about equality, and make activism more accessible to young people. From research and design to distribution in local schools and community spaces, they learned to plan, collaborate, and amplify their voices in creative ways.

What happens when three determined young people turn a simple idea into real change? The Funky Phoenixes started with a small recycling project in their school - and turned it into a borough-wide eco-friendly competition, inspiring multiple schools to take action for the planet.

Read their story to discover how they overcame challenges, built resilience, and learned new skills along the way. 

Friends Together, a group of young people from Sunderland’s SEND 16+ sessions at The Box, completed all three stages of the KEY+ Challenge. Along the way, they built skills in teamwork, confidence and communication while creating inclusive community events – from BBQs and discos to launching their very own silent discos.

As part of KEY+ Transitions, The Gamer Kings planned their own trip to the Metro Centre, building confidence, independence, and teamwork along the way. From budgeting and navigating busy spaces to trying new activities, the group left proud of their achievements and the friendships they strengthened.

As part of their KEY+ journey, this inspiring group of college students took action to support two local toddler groups in need of safer, more engaging play spaces. They collected and cleaned donated toys, used KEY+ funding to buy new play mats, and developed confidence, teamwork, and leadership along the way.

For their Stage 2 project, Pose 28 challenged themselves to step into an entirely new role: performers and playwrights.

None of the girls had previously shown an interest in writing or acting, but that changed when they decided to create a production that would shine a light on the real issues faced by young people today. Their idea was both imaginative and powerful – a live performance exploring healthy and unhealthy behaviours in relationships, written and acted entirely by the group.

Azra took on the KEY+ Challenge with her school’s diversity group, delivering a Christmas Fayre stall, an Eid celebration, and a school-wide diversity festival. Along the way, she built confidence, improved her organisation skills, and learned the importance of teamwork. Click to read about her journey through the KEY+ Challenge and beyond!

Four young people from Hebburn Comprehensive School took on the KEY+ Challenge and didn’t just complete it – they transformed it into something unforgettable. Over the course of three unique stages, they grew in confidence, built essential skills, and made a lasting impact in their school and wider community. Read more about their journey here!

A group of inspiring young people took on the KEY+ Challenge with one clear goal in mind: to make the transition to secondary school a little easier for Year 6 pupils. Using their own lived experiences and passion for supporting others, they created a thoughtful and impactful social action project that not only helped others but transformed them in the process.

The Four Fantastic Girls created a Girl Power booklet through the KEY+ Challenge to support peers with life transitions. Their professionally printed guides are now used in school lessons and the library. The project helped them build teamwork, communication, and confidence while making a lasting impact on their community.

For the transitions group known as the Underdogs, Stage 1 of the KEY+ Challenge was more than just a day out – it was a step toward independence, connection, and confidence. Their plan was simple: have fun. And they certainly did; the group spend the day bowling, playing arcade games, and dining out at Sambuca’s. 

On Tuesday 22^nd July, something amazing happened. Over 120 young people from across the North East came together at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle for our Youth Action Unlocked event – and wow, did they show up with some big ideas. Read more about some of their ideas here!