In July, the spark ignited at the Youth Action Unlocked: The Hack – an inspirational event hosted at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle. Young people aged 11-18 (and up to 25 with additional needs) from across the North East came together to tackle the challenges close to their hearts.

Among them was a group from South Tyneside, coming together for the very first time to form a team named Chaos Co-ordinators. None of them had worked together before, and some were new to the KEY+ Challenge – so they were entering entirely unfamiliar territory, learning how to plan, budget and speak up as a team.

But first, they found their purpose. When asked about the issue they aimed to confront, they told us that their focus would be on social isolation, mental health, and wanting to bring the younger and older generations together.

With that, the idea for their project took shape – a series of intergenerational events that bridged younger and older generations. One of the ideas that the Chaos Co-ordinators planned was a fun-filled day packed with activities: face painting, a bouncy castle, popcorn, free food, and opportunities to interact with animals like snakes, rabbits and other small creatures. There were games, raffles, and stalls providing mental health and service information in the area.

As they looked around, the group could see just how far they’d come as Jane shared: “I think the amount of people that have turned up […] just shows we can come together as a community.”

Despite the event going well on the day, the team shared that planning and collaboration came with its challenges. The group remembered how “meeting up together from different areas was really hard.” Still, they pushed through by finding creative solutions – meeting on different days and using group chats to combine their ideas.

And as the planning continued, their bond grew… Zoe said: “I was anxious at first meeting them… but we all worked together and realised that together we could combine our skills.” By the end of the project, they had made new friendships and found new confidence: “The main thing that’s really happened was we’ve made friendships we never thought we would need,” said Lexi. Zoe also said: “Yeah, we’ve met new people, and it’s helped our confidence.”

Ultimately, the experience built lasting skills they’ll carry forward. Lauren learned “communication… because you have to get your ideas across.” Bethany discovered “time management” from balancing meetings outside of school, and Lucas said he gained “confidence to put his ideas forward.”

When asked what difference they hoped their event would make, Oliver shared that he was “hoping that people have somewhere that they know where they can reach out to when they need help.”

And when asked what youth-led action means to them, Zoe shared: “To me it’s young people having their voices and opinions of what they could help out with.”

Bethany shared a similar reflection: “It’s teaching me that young people matter and that even if we feel like we’re so miniscule compared to everyone else, we really do have an impact.”

And for Lexi, the project meant more than a one-day event – it was about courage and connection: “For me, it’s to show who I am and being a part of something is a massive impact. Anyone who gets a chance should do it.”

The Chaos Co-ordinators proved that when young people are given space, trust, and resources, they don’t just organise events – they build bridges, bring communities together, and change the way people connect. Their intergenerational event, full of fun, learning and engagement, showed that youth-led action can make a real difference.