By Sarah Dale
18 August 2026
As journalists, we spend much of our time telling stories, interviewing people from all walks of life and discussing the issues affecting communities across the region. One topic that comes up time and again is the influence of role models on young people and why positive examples have never been more important.
Whether we like it or not, children and young people are constantly learning from the adults around them.
Parents, teachers and family members naturally play a huge part in shaping attitudes and behaviours, but young people are also influenced by business leaders, sports stars, politicians, celebrities and social media personalities. The people they see on television screens, in newspapers and online often leave a lasting impression.
The problem is that not all role models are setting the best example.
Far too often, headlines are dominated by bad behaviour, personal attacks and stories that demonstrate a lack of kindness, respect or accountability. It is easy to become concerned about what message this sends to the next generation.
Yet across our communities there are also thousands of people quietly making a difference every single day.
Teachers who go the extra mile. Business leaders who mentor young people. Volunteers who give up their time to support children and help them develop confidence, skills and ambition.
These are the role models we should be celebrating.
At SASS, supporting young people has always been something close to our hearts.
Director Sarah Dale worked as an emotional wellbeing practitioner, supporting children and young people to better understand and manage their emotions, build resilience and develop strategies to navigate the challenges life can bring.
Long before she worked in primary education and while she was working in a busy newsroom, she volunteered in several Middlesbrough schools, listening to children read and helping them develop confidence and a love of learning. It is a simple act, but one that can have a huge impact. For many children, having an adult take the time to listen, encourage and celebrate their progress can make a lasting difference.
These experiences have reinforced something we strongly believe: every young person deserves access to positive role models and opportunities that help them recognise their potential.
That belief is one of the reasons we are proud to be launching the second edition of The NetWORKer Junior magazine this autumn.
Produced for NetWORK NotWORK CIC and Careers Navigator, the publication is aimed at children and young people aged between eight and 18 and is designed to inspire, inform and empower the next generation.
The magazine is packed with real-life stories, interviews and practical advice from people who have built successful careers across a wide range of industries.
Young readers can discover different career paths, explore education and training opportunities, learn about courses and qualifications, and understand how work experience can help open doors in the future.
Importantly, the magazine also highlights the fact that success does not follow a single route.
Not every young person wants to go to university. Not every future entrepreneur excels academically. Not every career journey follows a straight line.
By sharing honest stories and experiences from real people, The NetWORKer Junior helps young readers understand that there are many paths to success and that setbacks, challenges and changes of direction are often part of the journey.
For many children and teenagers, simply hearing from someone who has overcome obstacles, followed their ambitions or discovered a career they love can be incredibly powerful.
Representation matters. Seeing people from different backgrounds, industries and experiences succeed helps young people believe that they can succeed too.
At a time when many young people face uncertainty about their futures, access to reliable information, positive encouragement and relatable role models has never been more valuable.
The future workforce is currently sitting in our classrooms. Future engineers, nurses, journalists, teachers, business owners, scientists, artists and leaders are all growing up in our communities right now.
The responsibility we all share is to help them believe in themselves and provide the tools, knowledge and support they need to achieve their goals.
Being a role model does not require fame, wealth or a large social media following.
It is the teacher who stays behind after class to help a struggling pupil. It is the volunteer who listens patiently to a child read. It is the employer who offers a young person their first work experience placement.
If we want young people to grow into confident, capable and compassionate adults, we need to ensure they see those qualities reflected in the people around them.
That is why initiatives like The NetWORKer Junior matter so much. They provide inspiration, practical guidance and real-world insight at a stage in life when confidence and ambition are still being shaped.
Most importantly, they remind young people that their future is full of possibilities.
And perhaps that is the greatest lesson any role model can teach.
SPONSORSHIP is available now:
- 1/2 page ad is £80
- Full page ad is £150
- DPS editorial and 1 page ad is £500
All sponsors’ logos included on intro page and on all social media posts.
To book an advert in the upcoming edition of The NetWORKer Junior, email Sarah Dale: sarah.dale@sassmedialtd.co.uk
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