A Moment of Recognition for GYI

We are proud to share that our founder has been presented with a Red Kite Award by local MP Liz Twist. The award recognises the work we are doing to support young people in Winlaton and the positive impact this work is having across the community.

From the very beginning, Gateshead Youth Initiative was created to meet a clear need. Young people told us they needed safe spaces. They needed positive things to do. They needed adults they could trust. That mission has guided every decision we have made and every session we have run.

The Red Kite Award is a meaningful moment for us. Not because we set out to win recognition, but because it shines a light on the importance of youth work and raises the profile of what is happening here in Winlaton. Awareness matters. It helps us reach more young people, build new partnerships, and access the funding and resources that allow us to keep growing.

This achievement is not an individual one. It reflects the dedication of our volunteers, who give their time, their energy, and their compassion. It reflects the support of our partner organisations, who stand with us to create stronger outcomes for young people. It reflects the trust of our funders, who believe in the value of our work. And most importantly, it reflects the young people themselves, who show up, engage, and remind us every day why this work is needed.

The event was also an opportunity to celebrate others who are making a difference locally. The room was full of inspiring groups and individuals, each contributing in their own way to a stronger, more connected community. It was a reminder that we are part of something bigger. We are one piece of a wider effort to support, uplift, and empower people across the area.

We are incredibly proud of this recognition, and grateful for the spotlight it brings. But our focus remains the same as it always has. We will continue creating opportunities. We will continue offering safe spaces. We will continue listening to and standing beside the young people who need us.

This award is a moment to pause and celebrate, but the work continues. And we are more committed than ever.