Two groups of teenagers from Newton Aycliffe have been recognised for their inspirational projects that helped them to develop their confidence and skills whilst benefitting their local community.
Newton Aycliffe based Us Girls and Ferryhill’s Boys R Us were nominated for multiple awards on the evening and took two home.
The awards run by North-east charity The Key recognised the creativity, determination and dedication of more than 150 young people across 12 different categories at their regional awards ceremony last month.
US Girls scooped up the Panel Innovators award for an amazing pitch presentation for their ambitious community benefit project. The group of six 17 to 18 year olds planned and facilitated 12 months’ worth of activities for cancer patients and families, helping them to make happy memories during a difficult time.
Boys R Us picked up the Unique Project of the Year award after their secret shopper project which saw them test out and review local businesses on how they treat young customers. The three boys rated the businesses before sending them a letter reviewing their performance and offering suggestions.
Hannah Underwood, The Key’s chief executive, said: “It’s wonderful to be celebrating the incredible things our regions’ young people have achieved and to have the opportunity to publicly recognise the phenomenal job done by our dedicated and passionate volunteer Key Facilitators.”
“The Key is all about inspiring young people to believe in their own ideas and take responsibility for living them and it’s great we’ve been able to praise young people from Newton Aycliffe for doing just that.”
The Key operates in all areas of the North East, with the aim of wanting to create a world where young people believe in their own ideas and can take responsibility for living them.
In the last five years, over 13,500 young people aged 11-25 in our area have participated in the Key Framework, and their activities have benefitted almost 140,000 people in their communities.
