Think

First you need to think of an idea. For ideas and inspiration take a look at the case studies below or go to Keyfund website for examples of  what other young people have done with their funding. 

You will need: 

• to be a group of three or more;
• be 11 - 19 years of age (up to 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities);
• live in North Yorkshire; and
• have access to a Keyfund facilitator.

Plan

The facilitator is an adult who will provide advice and support as you plan your activity, but it's your project, the facilitator is just there in the background .

Keyfund is all about learning new skills, your facilitator will help you with this.  The twelve Keyfund skills are:

1. work out what you're good & not so good at;
2. solve problems;
3. plan your time and energy;
4. cope with stress & tension;
5. negotiate;
6. settle disagreements;
7. search for information & get advice;
8. deal with people in power & authority;
9. evaluate your own performance;
10. communicate;
11. agree your responsibilities and see them through;
12. make decisions.

Your facilitator will prepare you to present your great idea to the panel, a group of specially selected adults who will decide if your project will get funding.

Do

Now you have the funding you can make your project come to life, your facilitator will continue to support you in this.

Don't forget to evaluate your project, we love to know about all the activities you're doing!

The whole process can happen quite speedily, some groups have passed the panel within just a few days from having their initial idea.

Case studies

Mamma Mia (stage 2)

This group of boys and girls from Cowling youth club, South Craven, decided to put on a performance based on the hit musical 'Mamma Mia!'  They used the funding from stage1 to buy food for their planning meeting, and to buy 'SingStar ABBA' so that they could learn and practice all the songs.

For stage 2, the group used the money to hire a room, pay for dance lessons and buy costumes.  They worked together to produce dance routines, and this culminated in a performance at the Cowling village spring concert.  All the group really enjoyed the performance, which received great reviews, and they have been praised for their hard work and excellent performances by people who viewed the show.

The Krazykirks (stage 3)

After previously holding a Christmas disco for stage 2, the Krazykirks decided that for stage 3 they would like to go on an outdoor adventure weekend, to help improve their teamwork  and co-operation for the next Keyfund stage. 

After doing lots of research on the many different activity centres, they decided upon High Adventure outdoor education centre in Cowling.  They presented their ideas and research to the Keyfund panel and were given the go ahead.  The Keyfund money wasn't quite enough to cover their costs, so they raised extra funds by car washing, gardening and selling cakes.

At High Adventure they took part in; climbing, abseiling, team building, and canoeing, as well as lots of other activities.  They were able to build on all the Keyfund skills including; dealing with people in power and authority, searching for information and getting advice, evaluating their performance, planning their time and energy, and working out what they were good at and not so good at.

All involved agreed that it had been a massive success!

You can also check out the press release on the Duke of Edinburgh group.

Useful downloads Keyfund press release - Duke of Edinburgh group [80kb] [pdf] Keyfund press release - Duke of Edinburgh group Keyfund comic [5Mb] [pdf] Keyfund comic What is Keyfund? [278kb] [pdf] Keyfund offers a structured and resourced model to engage and develop disadvantaged young people. The 12 Keyfund skills [301kb] [pdf] The 12 Keyfund skills have been specially chosen to help young people focus on core attributes which they will not only develop as they work on their projects, but will also help them achieve their goals and succeed in their transitions to adult life.   Related Pages Duke of Edinburgh's Award Youth councils Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window and NYCC is not responsible for the content of external websites. Keyfund Keyfund provides young people with the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence and self awareness needed to better reach their potential and play a positive role in their community. Contacts Deputy finance/admin support officer - 4Youth service dawn.molyneux@northyorks.gov.u... Tel: 01609 532436 Full details for Deputy finance/admin support officer - 4Youth service Youth Engagement Officer james.parkes@northyorks.gov.uk Tel:  01609 533932 Full details for Youth Engagement Officer