Youth Focus North East improve the lives of young people by developing solutions to the biggest challenges young people face. I'm proud to be a trustee of this award-winning charity, which works alongside young people and professionals across the region to respond directly to the needs of young people.

For the last two years, Youth Focus North East has been developing and delivering projects that specifically addresses loneliness and isolation in young people. Through a weekly drop in session and community events, the professional staff create social opportunities for young people who have experienced being lonely or isolated, or are at risk of becoming so. From working with a handful of young people twelve months ago, they have now reached over 250 young people. They also have communicated with 200 organisations through our co-designed loneliness short film, 'We Are You'.

I am STILL raising money so Youth Focus North East can continue this life-changing work, alongside other projects  on youth unemployment, social action , community development, youth voice and local heritage.