The event was organised and presented by young people and North East youth charity, The Key. Over 200 people in the room celebrated the shortlists and congratulated the winners, alongside enjoying a burger meal and challenging games on the tables courtesy of shortlisted nominees The 007s who created their own reusable escape room and activities for pupils to tackle and enjoy.
Winners from the line up included Spice Up Your Life, winners of the Key Community Champions of the Year. The group of young people from Throckley joined forces and have been supporting their local community. The group delivered a community fun day in the height of the cost-of-living crisis to ensure that children and families had something fun to do during the school holidays. Over 100 people came on the day and the group raised a humongous £765 which they then used to contribute to the purchase of a community defibrillator. Following this, the group took on the KEY+ Changemakers programme to deliver a community backed cinema in the half-term holiday. The group also raised money which will be put to good use to fund further community events.
Adults in the room also received plaudits for their efforts in changing young people’s lives. Exceptional KEY+ Facilitator of the Year was received by Claire Sharp who supports young people from Hebburn Comprehensive and 5th Tynemouth Scouts. Claire said:
“Thank you to The Key for all of their support in helping young people. It is quite simply the best feeling in the world when you see these young people achieve things.”
Other adults to be recognised include KEY+ Volunteer of the Year Laura Langdale-Bush, who the judges said blew them away with her enthusiasm and energy; and Key Outstanding Key Partner of the Year Gosforth East Middle School who ensure that pupils truly take the lead and are year on year advocates of KEY+ with facilitators going the extra mile to be innovative and champion young people.
Other highlights of the night included the Inspirational KEY+ group of the year being crowned as Bright Girl Squad who won after going to lengths to show that young women who are neurodivergent are just as capable. Confidence in Conversations also took away a title, NCS KEY+ Superstars. The eight-week conversational social action programme focused on helping young refugees arriving in Newcastle with not only information on conversing, transport and where to go, but on Geordie slang too!
Hungry Hippos took the title of KEY+ Unique Project of Year for their driving school consisting of VR simulation and road safety workshops to help young people in the face of escalating costs of driving lessons. KEY+ Pitch Innovators of the Year were The Epix, whose project was to record a series of short videos about some of the issues young people may have to deal with in their communities. The young people worked extremely hard on the script and put an element of humour into the process.
And the final award of the night went to All Rounders as KEY+ Completers of the Year. The team completed all three stages of the KEY+ Challenge in quick time, running three very different but impactful projects. The group members are home educated and brilliantly came together to organise distributing winter packs to the homeless, a health and well-being sports day and a Pride event for young people in their local area. In total the group positively engaged with well over 100 people in their local community.
The Key’s new CEO Rebecca Maw, said of the awards:
“The KEY+ Challenge encourages young people to use their voice and ideas, build skills and confidence and make a real difference in communities across the region. The Key Awards is a night dedicated to celebrating the outstanding achievements of young people from the North East and highlights their hard work, creativity, and the positive impact they have made in their communities with The Key’s support.”
This sentiment was echoed by chair of the board Liz Watchorn who said:
“This has been the highlight of the year so far for The Key. It is so inspiring to recognise the achievements of not only our young people but also our partners and funders. The young people we work with never cease to amaze us and their talents and contributions should never be overlooked. Congratulations to all winners and nominees whose dedication to the challenge earned them a seat a tonight’s awards A big thank you also to the young team who also put on a dazzling event!”