Nine months ago, we launched our Youth Advisory Board (YAB), bringing young people together to help shape what we do at The Key. Since then, Bethany, Thomas, Efa, Rufus and Lauren have been right at the heart of it – sharing ideas, building skills and making a real impact.

The group described what they do on the Youth Advisory Board as a bit of everything. Lauren explained: “We help out The Key a lot, we help out with the social media… check that out! We also do Key projects.” For Bethany, she said the Youth Advisory Board is all about “giving the youth a voice and just letting them be a part of something.”

Over the months, many of the group noticed big changes in themselves – especially when it came to confidence and communication. Rufus shared: “communication because I used to be absolutely terrible at talking to people and it’s just actually helped me improve how I speak to people.” Thomas reflected on a similar journey, saying, “Connect with others better which has always been a difficulty for me.” And Efa agreed, adding: “Probably communication because before I just wouldn’t speak to anybody.”

Some of the biggest surprises weren’t just about skills, but about how the YAB felt. Rufus said: “I’m surprised about how homely it feels because it is a workplace, but it feels like you are connected with everyone and it feels like a good place to be.” Bethany shared, “People were a lot more welcoming than I thought they would be and it’s a lot more fun than I thought it would be as well.”

Thomas spoke about how the biggest surprise for him was being be able to see the bigger picture and the impact that The Key makes, explaining: “The extent of The Key, I always knew The Key was a thing but just how much they impact so many lives in the North East is just something I wouldn’t say that I underestimated but I was surprised by.”

When it comes to favourite moments, the Youth Advisory Board described memories that will last forever. Lauren remembered the early days, saying: “I think it was at the start when we were all just getting to know each other and we did a bit of an ice breaker and we all went bowling and did karaoke, I thought that was really fun.”

For Thomas, a standout moment was stepping onto the stage at The Key Awards: “Probably The Key Awards that we hosted last year, I had the pleasure of presenting two of the awards on stage and I got to wear a suit, and it was a nice meal, nice company and a nice atmosphere. Efa agreed, sharing that her favourite moment was “Being at The Key Awards, it was really fun, everyone was really nice and the food was really good.”

Others enjoyed the creative side of things. Bethany shared, “I think when we were making TikTok’s for The Key’s page, I think that was very fun.” Rufus also said: “I think the best moment for me was definitely when we were doing some of them TikTok’s because I had to do really cringey dances that I absolutely hated when I was doing it but it paid out when I looked back on it.”

One of the most powerful parts of the YAB is seeing their ideas genuinely listened to and used, as Bethany shared: “I made a good social media suggestion, and it was used on The Key’s page, and it became one of the most liked videos on the page.”

So, why should other young people join The Key’s Youth Advisory Board:

• Lauren: “Well, why not really?”
• Thomas: “100% do it, it’s an experience that’s difficult to replicate anywhere else and there will always be something in there for you.”
• Bethany: “It makes you proud of something that you’ve done and it makes you feel like you’re a part of something.”
• Rufus: “I think you make a big difference here.”
• Efa: “It’s really good and everyone’s really nice and you can help make a difference.”

Nine months on, the Youth Advisory Board isn’t just a group – it’s a space where voices are heard, confidence grows and young people help shape real change