Meet some of our Youth Advisory Board!
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.
Meet Thomas
What inspired you to join The Key’s Youth Advisory Board?
“I was inspired to join because of the idea to make change. Also because I worked with the KEY+ panel and this provided me an opportunity for something new."
Before joining the YAB, Thomas and his group led a KEY+ project focused on mental health awareness. His group ran a poetry for mental health competition, encouraging young people to express their emotions and experiences through creative writing. They collected the best entries, printed them, and shared them on social media to inspire others and spark important conversations.
What change do you hope to help create through your role on the YAB? “The main thing I wish to help/change is to raise awareness for mental health for young people.”
What’s a fun or surprising skill you will bring to the team? "I’m fun, comedic and willing to take part in all (or most of) the opportunities that I get offered."
Thomas brings a vibrant energy to the board – his experience with KEY+ and passion for raising mental health awareness make him a powerful advocate for young people.
Meet Lauren
What inspired you to join The Key’s Youth Advisory Board?
"I was inspired to join The Key’s Youth Advisory Board by working with The Key in past key projects and it was really fun helping people out within the community."
Lauren’s journey with The Key is an inspiring one. She completed all three stages of KEY+, starting with organising games and activities for her schools Christmas fair. In Stage 2, her group delivered a vibrant Eid celebration attended by over 100 people, and for Stage 3, she helped create a hugely successful diversity festival, which saw 1,000 people attend. The event included cultural workshops, music sessions, and Bollywood dancing, and it’s now set to continue every two years.
What change do you hope to help create through your role on the YAB? "By working in the Youth Advisory Board, I hope to contribute to the change in views in society and celebrate diversity between communities."
What’s a fun or surprising skill you will bring to the team? "A fun skill I bring is that I always look for the positives in situations and I try to always be positive no matter what and I communicate with others to solve problems."
Lauren’s optimism and community spirit shine through in everything she does. Her drive to challenge societal views and promote diversity makes her a key voice on the board. With her positivity and strong communication skills, she helps build a collaborative and uplifting environment.
Meet Evie
What inspired you to join The Key’s Youth Advisory Board?
"I was inspired to join the Youth Advisory Board as I’ve taken part in all 3 stages of the KEY+ Challenge, and it was something that helped me to develop my confidence and many other skills as a young person. This inspired me to work towards a career in youth work and advocate for other young people […] and make a positive impact on their lives, similar to how I was positively impacted by the KEY+ Challenge as a young person."
Evie's Stage 3 KEY+ project was all about creativity and enterprise. Her group launched a mini youth-led business to help fundraise for a life-changing trip to Gambia. Using a Circuit machine, they designed and sold personalised items to friends, family, and members of their youth club. They also showcased their products at Sunderland's Teenage Market, turning skills like design and marketing into real-world fundraising success.
What change do you hope to help create through your role on the YAB? "I hope to help advocate for other young people as part of the Youth Advisory Board but also help to show the importance of involving young people in projects that directly impact them. Through this opportunity I get to share my thoughts and opinions and make a real impact, which is something that I hope inspires other young people to take on opportunities and continue to contribute their voices."
What’s a fun or surprising skill you will bring to the team? "A fun skill I bring to the team is being creative [...] I love being involved in anything artsy, from drawing to creating an aesthetically pleasing PowerPoint!"
We’re so proud to have Thomas, Lauren and Evie on the YAB. Their voices – and the voices of all our board members – are helping to shape a brighter, more inclusive future for young people in the North East.
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The Key