Youth Matters 2026
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Restoring Futures Through Youth-Led Enterprise in Bolton
Youth Matters. Not as a slogan — as a commitment.
Across Bolton — and towns like it — too many young people are being left behind by systems that struggle to respond to their reality.
Rising school exclusions.
Growing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Limited access to early work experience.
Increasing pressure on mental health and wellbeing.
For many young people, this is not a temporary dip.
It is a turning point.
Youth Matters 2026 is our response — a practical, locally rooted commitment to restoring futures through youth-led enterprise, early intervention, and trusted relationships.
Why Youth Matters in 2026
Young people today are being asked to navigate more uncertainty than any generation before them. They are expected to be resilient, adaptable, and work-ready — yet the routes into opportunity are narrowing.
We see the impact every day:
- Young people disengaging because traditional education doesn’t meet their needs
- Confidence eroded through repeated rejection
- Talents overlooked because they don’t fit standard pathways
When young people are left unsupported, the consequences ripple outward — into families, communities, local economies, and public services.
Early intervention is not only the right thing to do.
It is the smart thing to do.
Youth Matters 2026 is about acting earlier, acting locally, and acting with purpose.
Our Approach: Youth-Led, Community-Rooted, Impact-Focused
Youth Matters 2026 is built on three principles:
1. Youth-Led
Young people are not passive recipients of support.
They are contributors, leaders, and decision-makers.
Their voice shapes delivery.
Their growth defines success.
2. Community-Rooted
Our work is embedded in Bolton’s communities — responding to local need, building local pride, and reconnecting young people with their town.
Enterprise projects are practical, visible, and meaningful, giving young people ownership and belonging.
3. Impact-Focused
Impact is measured not only in qualifications or outcomes, but in:
- Confidence rebuilt
- Routines restored
- Purpose rediscovered
Boss Your Future Bolton
The Flagship Programme of Youth Matters 2026
Boss Your Future Bolton exists because not every young person thrives in a classroom — but every young person has potential.
The programme supports young people aged 15–24 who may feel disconnected from mainstream education or employment. Many arrive having been labelled “hard to reach” or “not work-ready”.
We reject those labels.
Instead, we start with one question:
What are you good at, and what do you care about?
Boss Your Future Bolton uses enterprise as a tool for engagement, confidence-building, and progression — helping young people reconnect with themselves and their future.
What Young People Gain
Through Youth Matters 2026 and Boss Your Future Bolton, young people access:
- Practical enterprise and employability skills
Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership - Real-world experience
Live projects with responsibility and purpose - Trusted relationships
Consistent adults who listen, guide, and challenge - Clear progression routes
Employment, self-employment, training, or further support
Young people are not treated as beneficiaries.
They are active participants in shaping their future.
From Disengagement to Direction
Many young people arrive feeling written off. Some have been out of education for months or years. Others have tried college, placements, or short-term schemes that didn’t stick.
What they often share is the belief that the system gave up on them early.
Youth Matters 2026 offers something different:
- A reason to show up
- A safe space where mistakes are part of learning
- Time to succeed on their own terms
Time and again, we see young people move from isolation to participation, from uncertainty to clarity, and from low confidence to leadership.
Partnership Makes Youth Matters Possible
Youth Matters 2026 cannot be delivered by one organisation alone.
At Genuine Futures, we work in partnership with:
- Local businesses
- Community organisations
- Funders and supporters
- Education and referral partners
By working together, we:
- Reduce duplication
- Strengthen pathways
- Keep young people at the heart of decision-making
Most importantly, support continues beyond programmes — through trusted relationships and clear next steps.
Get Involved in Youth Matters 2026
For Young People
If you’re aged 15–24, live in Bolton, and want a different route forward:
- Build confidence
- Learn real skills
- Shape your own future
Boss Your Future Bolton is now recruiting.
For Professionals & Referrers
If you work with young people who may be NEET or disengaged:
- Early, relationship-based support works
- Clear referral pathways are available
For Businesses & Partners
If you believe in investing in the next generation:
- Mentoring
- Sponsorship
- Partnership
- Practical support
Together, we can create real social value for Bolton.
Our Commitment for 2026
In 2026, we commit to:
- Reaching more young people who feel left behind
- Strengthening pathways from engagement to employment
- Deepening youth leadership across all programmes
- Demonstrating that enterprise-led approaches deliver lasting social value
Youth Matters 2026 is about restoring futures — not through promises, but through practical action.
Because when young people are given trust, opportunity, and belief:
They change their own lives.
They strengthen communities.
They shape a future worth investing in.