We’re shining a spotlight on one of our longest-standing facilitators, Valerie – a true Key legend. Valerie has been part of The Key since the very beginning, supporting young people for more than two decades with Gateshead Youth Council. Gateshead Youth Council have been a valued partner for over 25 years, delivering tons of KEY+ projects.
Valerie’s Favourite Projects
When you’ve been involved for over 25 years, it’s hard to pick a single favourite – and Valerie has a treasure trove of powerful moments: “I couldn’t even begin to tell you one that is my favourite because some of them are my favourite for so many different reasons.”
One that stands out is a panel that took place nearly a decade ago: “Nearly 10 years ago, there was a group of young people with learning difficulties who did a panel, and they did the panel in the form of interpretive dance. It was really cool!”
She’s also watched groups grow and flourish through every stage of the KEY+ Challenge: “#JellyBeans – we had them from Stage 1 to 4. When they were Stage 1, they were 11, they were tiny and they wanted to do a board games night with the other young people, so we got board games, which we still have, and pizza. The three youngest members of the group delivered that night for like 20 other people. And then they did their Stage 4 for something called Gateshead Youth Can which is a Youth Council version of the Duke of Edinburgh. […] Their progression was fabulous.”
For Valerie, some of the most meaningful projects are about creating experiences young people wouldn’t otherwise get: “Days out for the summer and afternoon tea, some people were going we’ve never been for afternoon tea. And like getting theatre tickets, because some of them have never been to the theatre and it’s just lovely.”
“My favourite thing as a youth worker is young people having the opportunities they wouldn’t normally get… I think it changes people’s lives.”
She also said: “I like it when we sit and I make them assess the skills and I like it when someone goes well, I’m not very good at that and another one goes, yeah you are, you did… and I love that bit, it’s really lovely.”
Watching Young People Grow
Seeing young people transform through the KEY+ Challenge is at the heart of why Valerie loves what she does: “It’s their confidence and the realisation that they’re developing the skills.”
And the impact can be huge: “It’s the fact that they can do things that are their ideas. It’s the confidence, it’s just lovely. The #JellyBeans were in tears, being sick, Sophie who is downstairs now, she’s 21 now, she was 11, and she was throwing up in the toilets. I was like I don’t know if I should be letting this happen and they were like don’t you dare pull it. Then you see her doing a Stage 4, completely confident in her own abilities.”
Valerie shared that Sophie is now part of Gateshead Youth Council’s board of trustees and that she does all their comms.
These kinds of transformations are what keep her inspired: “I always say I’ve got the best job in Gateshead.”
Valerie’s Advice to Other Facilitators:
When asked what she’d say to anyone thinking about becoming a facilitator, Valerie didn’t hesitate: “It’s so flexible, there’s nothing like it. Just do it, it’s worth it.”
About the author
The Key