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As schools, colleges and youth organisations open their doors this September, thousands of young people are stepping into a new term full of possibilities. For some, it’s the start of a new adventure at secondary school or college. For others, it’s about building on progress made last year, exploring new interests, and setting fresh goals.

At The Key, we know that the start of term can bring mixed feelings. Excitement, nerves, change - sometimes all at once. That’s why we’re here to make sure young people have the tools and confidence to take the lead in their own journeys.

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!

At The Key, young voices are at the heart of everything we do – and our Youth Advisory Board (YAB) plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of our work. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on three of our incredible members: Thomas, Lauren and Evie. These young people bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and energy to the board, and we’re excited to share a bit about what motivates them.

At Route2Work College, a group of learners came together with a shared goal: to transform a quiet space on campus into a beautiful, accessible sensory garden. Their vision was to create a calming, interactive environment where everyone could relax, explore nature, and feel at peace.

Five extraordinary young people from different colleges came together for a mission unlike any other. Though they’d never worked as a group before, they shared one powerful vision: to teach the world all about space.

During her week-long placement at The Key, Azra explored a wide range of tasks from research and emailing to marketing and presenting. Initially nervous bout stepping into a workplace, she quickly settled in and gained valuable insight into office life, helping her to develop new skills in communication, design, and collaboration. Read about Azra's thoughts and experience here.

On Thursday 10th of July, we rolled out the red carpet for The Key Awards 2025. It was another big year with over 230 people in attendance to celebrate the inspirational achievements of young people, KEY+ Facilitators and the wider Key Community.

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 were excited to develop our teamwork skills by building on relationships and taking on new challenges.” Read about their Stage 1 adventure here.