Bolstering Local Youth: How B‑Nice Charity and Martin McLoughlin Are Empowering Genuine Futures’ We Shine Any Car
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At Genuine Futures, we’re focused on creating real opportunities for young people across Bolton. Our We Shine Any Car youth‑led car cleaning enterprise is one such initiative—designed to foster skills, teamwork, and work‑ready confidence. Our most recent video highlights a powerful example of community in action: a generous donation of office furniture, tables, chairs, and cabinets from Martin McLoughlin of the B‑Nice Charity, helping us launch the enterprise effectively.
A Gift of Giving That Bridges the Gap to Opportunity
In Martin’s own words:
“We like to support good causes – and yours is a good cause. We are prepared to give you stuff for free to help you get your office sorted and help the young people you’re helping.”
Thanks to B‑Nice’s kindness, what was once an empty office is now a functional space. Young people now have a proper workspace to plan shifts, handle bookings, and build their enterprise—and most importantly, believe in themselves.
Poverty and Youth Disadvantage in Bolton
These acts of generosity matter more than ever when seen against the backdrop of Bolton’s social challenges:
- Child poverty in Bolton is stark: approximately 42% of children (around 31,000) live in poverty, placing the borough in the top 20 worst local authority areas in England for child hardship (x.com, boltonjsna.org.uk).
- Meanwhile across the UK, nearly 1 million young people aged 16–24 are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training)—the highest number since 2013. From October to December 2024, 13.4%, or about 987,000, were NEET—a rise of 110,000 from the year before (ons.gov.uk).
These statistics underscore why local initiatives like We Shine Any Car and organisations such as B‑Nice are essential. They fill urgent gaps where national policies and traditional pathways fall short.
What Bolton NICE Does
Martin’s Bolton NICE Charity plays a vital role in supporting local people by offering emergency food aid and essential supplies to families and individuals facing hardship across the borough. Their work provides crucial support to those struggling with poverty, making a tangible difference in everyday lives.
This ethos aligns directly with Genuine Futures’ mission: enabling young people to build their own futures.
Martin’s Broader Call to Action
Beyond furniture, Martin used the opportunity to urge the local decision‑makers to act:
“The politicians and Bolton Council need to work more together and help the young people and families who are struggling across Bolton… we all have pieces of the jigsaw.”
His message is clear: collaboration across charities, communities, and councils is essential if we are to match the scale of the challenge. No one organisation can do it alone.
Why It Matters
- Provides real opportunity: A fully equipped office means young people can learn business skills, customer service, and teamwork in a safe, professional environment.
- Addresses systemic disadvantage: With nearly half the borough’s children in poverty and a NEET population rising nationally, this project offers an alternative route to purpose.
- Models partnership: Martin and B‑Nice demonstrate how grassroots charity work can align with social enterprise to amplify impact.
Thank You, Martin & Bolton NICE
From everyone at Genuine Futures and We Shine Any Car, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Martin McLoughlin and Bolton NICE. Your practical generosity and clear-eyed advocacy do more than furnish an office—they help young people across Bolton find their place and potential.
We’re excited to forge ahead, hoping this donation marks the beginning of even deeper collaboration across community groups, local government, and residents. Together, each of us offers a crucial piece of the jigsaw for stronger futures.