The Key Awards 2026: Shortlist
The Key Awards aren't far away and we can't wait to celebrate with you on the night! Our judging panel worked hard to whittle down our winners and you can see our shortlisted nominees below...
Social Action KEY+ Superstars of the Year
This award recognises groups who created significant community benefit with their KEY+ Project. Nominees include:
- Art Attack
- Howdon Youth Legends
- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Seals
- Terry's Cucumber Dinosaur Squad
- The American Diners
- The Funky Phoenixes
- The Youth Haven Group
- Laurel United
- The Other Direction
- Washington Youth Council
- Cheesy Waffles Ambassadors
- JSE (Just Stay Excellent)
Exceptional KEY+ Facilitator of the Year
An award to recognise exceptional KEY+ Facilitators who inspired belief with the KEY+ Challenge. Nominees include:
- Laura Langdale
- Helen Cheape
- Lauren Douglass
- Richard Cheetham
- Kyle Blood
- Lucy Mulryan
- Bridie Coutts-Young
KEY+ Pitch Innovators of the Year
This award recognises KEY+ groups who pitched to panel in a particularly detailed or innovative way. Nominees include:
- Calm Creates Change
- The Escape Artists
- Gourmet Gurus
The Key Volunteer of the Year
This award recognises an exceptional Key Volunteer. Nominees include:
- Alex Carter
- Shivangi Pandey
- Jeanette Davies
- Laura Langdale
KEY+ Best Group Name
An award recognising this year's most unusual and whacky KEY+ Group name. Nominees include:
- Smells like TEAM Spirit!!!!
- The Fallen Order of the Golden Greggs Pasties
- Terry's Cucumber Dinosaur Squad
The KEY+ Unique Project of the Year
This award recognises a unique or creative project dreamt up by young people. Nominees include:
- Error Forgot Cborus
- Tricit
- The American Diners
- Tranquil Trails
- Animals in Outer Space
- JSE (Just Stay Excellent)
- The Quackdoodles
- The Duck Tilters
The Key Outstanding Partner of the Year
An award recognising an outstanding Key Partner championing The Key and the KEY+ Challenge. Nominees include:
- The Bunker
- Gateshead Youth Council
- King James I Academy
- Auxilia Youth Services
- Hebburn Comprehensive School
Inspirational KEY+ Group of the Year
This award recognises young people who have positively changed and developed throughout their participation in the KEY+ Challenge. Nominees include:
- The Jammie Dodgers
- ToGetHer
- Howdon Youth Legends
- McDonaldsLovers_6767
- The Quackdoodles
- Esh Winning Warriors
- The Duck Tilters
- D.A.D
The KEY+ Completers of the Year
This award recognises an superb group of young people who successfully completed all stages of the KEY+ Challenge. Nominees include:
- Triple Trouble Dream Team
- Pose 28
- The Funky Phoenixes
- Friends Together
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