Youth Action Unlocked brought together young people from across the North East to turn ideas into action and create meaningful change in their communities. What began as a youth-led programme grew into a powerful, collective movement – engaging over 100 young people, reaching more than 800 beneficiaries and delivering eight inspiring youth-led projects.
This page brings everything about Youth Action Unlocked together in one place – the stories, the impact, the learning, and what came next.
During YAU, eight youth-led groups explored issues that mattered to them and designed projects that responded to real needs in their communities. Young people developed leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, while growing in confidence, resilience, and belief in their ability to create change.
Youth Action Unlocked began with The Hack – a creative, collaborative space where young people came together to explore ideas, develop solutions and turn them into projects. This laid the foundation for the work that followed and empowered young people to take ownership of their ideas from the very start.
Ending with Youth Action Unlocked: The Showcase, held during #iwill Week, amplifying youth voice at a national moment focused on social action. The Showcase celebrated the achievements of young people, giving them the platform to share their projects, reflect on their journeys and recognise the impact they had created.
During #iwill Week, Newcastle launched as a City of Social Action, reinforcing the wider momentum around youth voice and participation and situating Youth Action Unlocked within a growing regional and national movement. Read more here: https://www.iwill.org.uk/newcastle-launches-as-a-city-of-social-action-during-iwill-week/
Watch Youth Action Unlocked
This Youth Action Unlocked video captures the energy, creativity, and impact of the programme – showcasing young people in action and reflecting on what YAU meant to them.
The Youth Action Unlocked Stories
Explore the full stories behind each project below. Each image links to a dedicated blog, giving insight into the ideas, challenges, learning and impact created by young people.
Resources: Getting Started with Social Action
Inspired by Youth Action Unlocked? We’ve pulled together a “Top 10 Tips for Youth-Led Projects” blog to support young people, youth workers, and organisations to get started. Keep an eye out for more resources to come soon!
What Came Next
Youth Action Unlocked didn’t stop at The Showcase. The programme has already sparked follow-on activity, including Sunderland launching its own area-specific Youth Action Unlocked, showing how youth-led models can grow and adapt to local contexts. Some of the groups that met thanks to YAU also expressed their hope to continue working within that group to help even more people in their communities.
This continued momentum highlights the long-term value of investing in youth voice and creating spaces where young people can lead change.
To find out how you can get involved or fund the next Youth Action Unlocked, please email theteam@thekeyuk.org
Thank you!
Youth Action Unlocked was made possible thanks to the support of our funders, partners, youth workers, and most importantly, the young people who brought their ideas, energy and commitment to the programme.
Together, we inspired belief, strengthened communities, and proved what’s possible when young people are trusted to lead.
Showcase Pictures By: Nicholas Chan
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The Key