From Blackpool Refuge to Bolton Impact: How Fylde Hydraulics Is Supporting Genuine Futures and Youth Enterprise
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A Full Circle Moment — From Blackpool to Bolton
Sometimes life has a way of bringing things full circle.
This past week, Sam Smith from Genuine Futures travelled to Blackpool to meet Kevin McCulloch from Fylde Hydraulics, someone he has known and worked with for over 25 years.
But this visit meant more than just a meeting.
Blackpool has always held a deeply personal meaning in Sam’s story. Many years ago, it became his place of refuge when he first left Bolton with very little as a young father, trying to rebuild his life and find a way forward.
Like many people starting again, the journey wasn’t easy. But it was in places like Blackpool where new beginnings started to take shape.
Fast forward to today, and returning to Blackpool to see a local business supporting the work now being done with young people in Bolton through Genuine Futures felt incredibly powerful.
It was a reminder that sometimes the places that once helped you rebuild can later become part of helping others build their future.
Supporting the Next Generation Through Business Partnership
A huge thank you goes to Kevin McCulloch, Dec, and the team at Fylde Hydraulics for stepping forward to support Genuine Futures and our youth enterprise initiative, We Shine Any Car.
Fylde Hydraulics has generously provided a year’s worth of hoses and jet wash guns, essential equipment that will help power the We Shine Any Car project.
This support will directly benefit the young people who are part of the programme by giving them access to professional equipment and a real working environment where they can learn and develop practical skills.
The We Shine Any Car project is more than just a car wash. It is a youth-led social enterprise designed to help young people gain:
- Practical work experience
- Confidence and responsibility
- Teamwork and customer service skills
- A sense of purpose and belonging
- Pathways into employment or self-employment
For many young people who feel lost, overlooked, or unsure about their future, opportunities like this can be life-changing.
A Story of Opportunity Coming Full Circle
The visit to Blackpool also brought another powerful story back into focus.
Sam caught up with Bradley, who first started working with him when he was just 15 years old.
Like many young people, Bradley simply needed someone to believe in him and give him a chance.
Today, Bradley runs his own successful joinery company, building his own future through hard work and determination.
But what makes Bradley’s story even more inspiring is that he hasn’t forgotten where his journey began.
He is now giving back.
Bradley has been volunteering his time with Genuine Futures, helping support young people on site and even carrying out joinery work to improve the facilities at the Genuine Futures Youth Enterprise Hub.
He is also helping to lead and develop the We Shine Any Car project, mentoring young people and sharing his experience.
It’s a powerful reminder that when young people are given the right opportunities, they often come back to help create those same opportunities for others.
The Genuine Futures Mission
At Genuine Futures, our mission is simple but powerful:
Create opportunities for young people who feel overlooked, stuck, or unsure about their future.
Through programmes like Boss Your Future and enterprise initiatives like We Shine Any Car, we help young people develop practical skills, confidence, and belief in themselves.
Many young people don’t lack ability.
What they lack is opportunity, guidance, and someone who believes in them.
When communities and businesses come together to support young people, those opportunities begin to appear.
The partnership with Fylde Hydraulics is a great example of how businesses can make a real difference by supporting youth-led projects.
From Blackpool to Bolton — Communities Supporting Each Other
What makes this story even more special is the connection between two communities.
A business in Blackpool supporting a youth project in Bolton shows how positive impact doesn’t have to stay within city boundaries.
When businesses step forward to support social enterprise and youth initiatives, they help strengthen communities across the region.
And sometimes, those connections have deeper meaning.
In this case, a place that once helped someone rebuild their life is now helping the next generation build theirs.
Get Involved with Genuine Futures
If you are a business, organisation, or community group that believes in supporting young people and creating real opportunities, we would love to hear from you.
Together we can continue helping young people gain skills, confidence, and direction.
Genuine Futures Youth Enterprise Hub
Metro Business Park
228 Waterloo St
Bolton
BL1 8HU
Email: hello@genuinefutures.co.uk
Tel: 01204 954200
Together we can empower young people and build brighter, genuine futures.