The Key Awards 2025 Winners!

The winners of the Social Action Superstars Award was Respect and Relate, a group supported by Foundation of Light.

This incredible group tackled the issue of domestic abuse with empathy, creativity, and courage. Through designing conversation-starting play cards and educational resources, they raised awareness and empowered others to talk about tough topics.

Their project didn’t just stop at raising awareness - it sparked important conversations, creating a ripple effect that continues to grow.

Our Exceptional Facilitator award went to Melanie Guy, supporting people at Children North East! 

Melanie’s commitment has empowered young people to grow, feel valued, and achieve amazing things. Thank you for making such a phenomenal difference! 

Melanie has truly gone above and beyond, supporting 28 groups across the region and being nominated by 18 of them! Young people praised Melanie for helping them feel heard, confident, and empowered, and it’s clear that Melanie’s impact has been both deep and lasting.

The Pitch Innovators of 2025 Award went to The Inn-Key-Pers, supported by Gateshead Central Library! 

Pitching to a panel takes real courage and creativity and The Inn-Key-Pers absolutely delivered. Their Dungeons & Dragons twist made the presentation fun, thoughtful, and unforgettable. Level up, team!

This group impressed with a well-structured, detailed pitch, complete with a smart budget and themed presentation. Their creative flair and planning made them stand out to the panel.

A huge shoutout to Siobhan, who, despite being newly trained, has made an incredible impact this year. Thank you for being such an inspiring volunteer!

In just their first year, Siobhan’s calm and reassuring presence helped young people feel confident and supported during their KEY+ pitches - making a real difference right from the start.

The Kurt Cobeans of Bilton Hall Community Trust took the crown! ✨🎉

Their clever, quirky name stood out and stole the show in the public vote!

The Unique KEY+ Project of 2025 Award went to.... The Five GEMS, supported by Gosforth East Middle School!

A huge shoutout to this KEY+ group, a group who wowed the judges with a bold, brilliant project full of heart. They wrote, recorded, and performed an original song to raise awareness about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes - using the power of music to educate and inspire. A fun, memorable, and deeply impactful way to make a difference. Well done! 

The KEY+ Money Makers of the Year Award went to We Can Better Than a Can Canner Can Can a Can (supported by Gosforth East Middle School).

From uncertainty to enterprise - this group built a thriving, purpose-led business from the ground up!

Promoting body positivity through their own clothing range, they showed incredible determination, creativity, and confidence. Their work didn’t just generate profit - it sparked partnerships, inspired others, and made a lasting impact.

This surprise award honours a truly remarkable group of young people who captured the minds of the judging panel after being shortlisted for multiple awards. Kye’s Kick Off, supported by Building Self-Belief, made a lasting impact.

In memory of their friend Kye, this extraordinary group united their community and raised over £4,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. 

From delivering KEY+ Challenge, NCS, and All-Ability projects to championing skills builder, their impact across Sunderland is outstanding.

This brilliant team doesn’t just support from the ground up, they advocate, amplify, and celebrate young people at every stage. Whether it’s championing KEY+ with local councils or spotlighting youth voices online, their dedication makes a huge difference.

Thank you for going above and beyond and for helping young people thrive! 

This years KEY+ Inspirational Group of the Year Award goes to a group who shattered expectations and proved the power of belief, trust, and teamwork.

The Studio West Bad Boys, supported by NE Youth, started their KEY+ journey with uncertainty, often misunderstood and hesitant to engage. But through determination, mutual support, and real growth, they delivered a confident, thoughtful pitch that left the judges genuinely impressed.

Along the way, they built stronger bonds with staff and each other, tackled important issues like mental health and wellbeing and earned recognition across their school for their maturity and commitment.

Their transformation is a powerful reminder that when young people are trusted, they can break through barriers and create real, lasting change. 

The KEY+ Completers of 2025 Award went to [Insert Name Here]! (Yes that is their group name!) This group was supported by Hebburn Comprehensive School.

This award celebrates an inspirational group who didn’t just complete all three stages of KEY+ - they smashed it.

From fundraising at a Christmas Fayre to organising a community-wide Eid celebration, this group consistently used their projects to promote inclusion, togetherness, and cultural understanding.

For their Stage 3 project, they delivered a large-scale Diversity Festival that brought over 1,000 people together. The event featured cultural workshops and local organisations - creating a space for learning, celebration, and connection. The festival was so impactful it contributed to them winning the Inclusion Award at the South Tyneside FAB Awards. 

Their journey shows just how far young people can go when given the space to lead.