KEY+ Updates

This blog spotlights Hannah from Gateshead Youth Council as she reflects on her journey through all three stages of the KEY+ Challenge. Hannah shares how youth-led action helped her build confidence, communication skills and belief in her ability to create a change. 

At Youth Action Unlocked, young people from Gateshead came together to form a group called The Youth Shield. This group focused on safety, inclusion and community, designing a welcoming youth club that gives young people a safe space.

At Youth Action Unlocked, youth people from Middlesborough formed the Charming Brains to tackle the pressures faced in local youth clubs and support mental health and wellbeing. By designing and installing calming therapy corners across four youth clubs, the group created safe spaces where young people can regulate emotions, reduce stress and feel supported.

Young people from across Sunderland came together through Youth Action Unlocked to tackle the issue of school absence and disengagement from education. Through collaboration, leadership, and lived experience, the group showed how young voices can play a powerful role in reimagining education and supporting young people not in employment or education.

Join The Key's team of #GNR26 heroes and make a difference to young North East lives!

This blog shares 12 inspirational KEY+ project ideas from across Stages 1-3 to help groups kick-start their KEY+ journey in 2026. From creative team-building activities to community action, enterprise projects and large-scale events, these examples show how young people can build confidence, develop key skills and make a positive impact through projects that matter to them.

From making Halloween "boo baskets" to performing their own educational production and creating Christmas hampers for their community, this group of young women have shown remarkable creativity, teamwork and compassion. Read about their journey through the KEY+ Challenge here!

We’re excited to launch our Youth Advisory Board and are looking for passionate young people to join! Find out more here.

Newcastle has been recognised as a City of Social Action during #iwill Week, and The Key is proud to join organisations across the region in celebrating the incredible youth-led projects driving this achievement. Find out more here!

This Volunteer Day, we're saying thank you to all of our volunteers for the work that they do. We are also spotlighting Jeanette, one of The Key's dedicated VPMs, who returned to the UK after 12 years in Australia and chose to support young people through The Key and the KEY+ Challenge. Read about Jeanette's time as a VPM so far and how to volunteer as a VPM for The Key.