By Sarah Dale
27 August 2026
The NetWORKer Junior aims to educate, inspire and empower the next generation.
A new magazine targeting children and young people in the Tees Valley is launching in the autumn.
The NetWORKer Junior is a new magazine from the team at Careers Navigator, in partnership with SASS media, and will be packed with interviews with business owners and leaders in the region, careers advice, wellbeing tips, and much more.
Its USP is all the content is written by junior journalists aged from six to 19 and is edited and designed by a team of qualified senior journalists and designers.
“At SASS, supporting young people has always been something close to our hearts,” says Sarah Dale, co-founder and director of journalism and communications consultancy, SASS media, and editor of The NetWORKer Junior.
“I worked as an emotional wellbeing practitioner for several years, 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 I worked in primary education, and while I was a journalist in a busy newsroom, I became a business volunteer at a couple of primary schools in Middlesbrough, 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 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 educate, inspire 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, for example, not every young person wants to go to university, not every entrepreneur excelled academically, and not every career journey follows a linear 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,” says Dr Kat Carruthers, founder and director of Careers Navigator and NetWORK NotWORK CIC.
“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. 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.”
A team of junior journalists have contributed to the magazine in several ways, from photographing behind-the-scenes content of young interviewers to researching and writing features. The magazine is co-edited by Sarah Dale and 12-year-old Alice Carruthers.
Alice says: “Our magazine is important because it brings together lots of topics that matter to young people including careers, wellbeing, art, hobbies, business and everyday life.
“It gives young people useful advice and information while also inspiring them to explore their interests and think about their future. The magazine is a place where young people can learn new things, discover different career opportunities, express themselves creatively and feel supported with their wellbeing.
“Most importantly it gives young people a voice and creates something that is interesting positive and relevant to them.”
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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