The Hairy Dogz originally had a completely different idea for their Stage 2 KEY+ project. The group wanted to do a biking trail in a forest with their Head Teacher, who they said was “a good bike rider”, but they also planned to teach their facilitator how to ride a bike too. But when their Head Teacher left the school, the group suddenly had to change their project.

Having to change direction halfway through was a challenge for the group. They had already spent time thinking about their original plans and now needed to work together to organise something completely different. Instead of giving up, they decided to plan a trip to Keswick in the Lake District – something that would still push them outside their comfort zones and give them new experiences together.

The project involved organising transport, activities, timings and budgeting, while also making decisions as a group about what they wanted the experience to include. Through this, they developed teamwork, communication and planning skills, while learning how to adapt when things don’t go to plan.

Talking about what they did, the group said: “we went to Keswick and did a mine and then we camped over night and did an escape room the next day.”

“We also wandered around Keswick.”

Although changing the project wasn’t easy at first, the group worked through it together and stayed positive. When asked if changing the project was difficult, they said: “Yeah it was but I think we did manage it though – we got past it fairly quickly.”

Even though the original biking project never happened, it still inspired something positive back at school. The group said that they used to get into trouble for riding their bikes around school, but this eventually led to the creation of a Thursday evening bike club where they can ride properly. They are even teaching their Key Facilitator how to ride a bike there too – showing how one idea can still have a lasting impact, even if plans change.

The trip itself also pushed the group outside of their comfort zones. Activities like the mine experiences and zip wipes challenged them to try something new, trust each other and build confidence. Looking back, one of their favourite parts was clear: “Doing the mine thing, I thought it was very good.”

But for the group, it was also about seeing all their hard work come together successfully: “Just being there and seeing the work we did paid off.”

Through KEY+, the group feel they’ve developed in lots of ways. They said they had built their confidence and skills, particularly in finding the best prices on the internet and with talking to new people.

The group were also proud of how independent they had become throughout the project. We asked them what they were most proud of and they said: “I think the fact that we’ve done pretty much everything to go on that trip.”

They also had advice for other young people thinking about taking part in KEY+: “When we got picked in Year 7, a lot of people decided not to do it because they wanted to be outside at lunch but I would say it’s a great opportunity, you get to go out and you can decide whatever you want to do.”

“It’s worth it in the end. Take the opportunity because it’s really good.”