Our Bolton. Our Future.
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Why We’re Asking Bolton to Help Shape the Future of Our Town
The Future of Bolton Starts With Listening
Every day, decisions are made that affect the future of our town.
Decisions about education.
Employment.
Housing.
Mental health.
Community safety.
Opportunities for young people.
But how often do we stop and ask the people who live here what they think?
At Genuine Futures, we believe that if we want to create a stronger Bolton, we must start by listening to the people who know Bolton best.
The young people growing up here.
The parents raising families here.
The businesses creating jobs here.
The residents who care about their communities.
That is why we are proud to launch:
Our Bolton. Our Future.
Our Voice. Our Opportunity. Our Future.
Why This Campaign Matters
Over the past year, we have worked with hundreds of young people, families, schools, employers, and community organisations across Bolton.
We’ve listened to stories of hope and success.
But we’ve also heard concerns.
Concerns about school exclusions.
Concerns about mental health.
Concerns about the rising number of young people not in education, employment, or training.
Concerns about the lack of opportunities available to young people.
We’ve heard from parents who feel their children are being left behind.
We’ve spoken to employers who want to support young people but don’t know where to start.
We’ve listened to young people who simply want to be heard.
One thing has become clear:
Bolton has the talent.
What we need is more opportunity.
What We Are Hearing
The idea behind Our Bolton. Our Future. came from the countless conversations we have every week with young people, parents, professionals, and community leaders.
One parent recently told us:
“My son isn’t a bad kid. He’s struggling. Every meeting seemed to focus on his behaviour rather than understanding what was causing it. We just wanted someone to listen.”
Another parent said:
“I felt like we were being passed from one service to another. By the time we chose home education, we felt like we’d run out of options.”
A young person who attends Genuine Futures shared:
“Before I came here, I was just stuck in my room. I didn’t really talk to anyone. Now I’ve got confidence and feel like I’ve got a future.”
Another young person told us:
“The best thing about Genuine Futures is that people actually listen to what you’ve got to say.”
These voices matter.
They tell a story that statistics alone never can.
More Than a Survey
This is not just another survey.
This is a community conversation.
A chance for the people of Bolton to tell us:
- What is working well?
- What needs to improve?
- What opportunities are missing?
- What worries them most?
- What they would change if they could.
- What they want Bolton to look like in the future.
Most importantly, we want to hear directly from young people.
Because too often decisions are made about them without them.
The Questions We Are Asking
We want to know:
What is it like being a young person in Bolton today?
Do young people have enough opportunities?
Are schools preparing young people for life?
What support do families need?
What skills do employers want?
What would make Bolton a better place to live?
What does a positive future look like?
If local leaders were sitting in front of you right now, what would you tell them?
These are simple questions.
But the answers could shape the future of our town.
What Professionals Are Telling Us
Professionals working across education, youth services, safeguarding, and community support are also expressing concern.
One education professional recently told us:
“We’re seeing more young people struggling with anxiety, confidence, attendance, and engagement than ever before. The need is growing faster than the support available.”
A community worker added:
“Young people don’t lack talent. They lack opportunities and trusted adults who can help them navigate life’s challenges.”
These comments reflect what we see every day at Genuine Futures.
The challenges facing young people are real.
But so is their potential.
A Town Full of Potential
Bolton has always been a town built on resilience.
We are a town of innovators.
A town of entrepreneurs.
A town of communities that come together when it matters most.
We have incredible schools.
Dedicated teachers.
Passionate businesses.
Committed volunteers.
And most importantly, thousands of young people with ambition, talent, and potential.
Yet too many young people still feel disconnected from opportunity.
The recent Alan Milburn report highlighted that more than one million young people across the UK are now not in education, employment, or training.
We cannot afford to ignore those warning signs.
The future of Bolton depends on how we support the next generation.
Young People Need a Seat at the Table
One of the most powerful messages we hear from young people is that they want to be listened to.
Not as an afterthought.
Not through a tick-box exercise.
But as equal partners in shaping the future.
At Genuine Futures, we see every day what happens when young people are given a voice.
Through programmes such as:
Boss Your Future
We Shine Any Car
Clean Futures
Restore Young Futures
Young people are building confidence, gaining work experience, developing skills, and becoming leaders within their communities.
They have ideas.
They have solutions.
And they deserve a seat at the table.
Mike Alleyne: “The Solutions Already Exist”
Mike Alleyne, Co-Director of Genuine Futures, believes the answers are already within our communities.
“Too often, conversations focus on what is wrong with young people.
We believe we should focus on what is right with them.
Every young person has strengths, talents, and potential.
The challenge is creating opportunities that allow those strengths to shine.
Through Our Bolton. Our Future, we’re creating a platform where young people, families, professionals, employers, and communities can come together and shape practical solutions.
The people living these experiences every day should be helping to shape the future.”
Sam Smith: “The Future of Bolton Belongs to All of Us”
Sam Smith, Founder and Co-Director of Genuine Futures, said:
“We’ve spent the last few years listening to young people and families across Bolton. We’ve heard their frustrations, but we’ve also heard their ideas and ambitions.
This campaign is about making sure those voices are heard.
Too often, people are consulted after decisions have already been made.
We want to do things differently.
We want to listen first.
Because the future of Bolton doesn’t belong to one organisation, one service, or one group of people.
It belongs to all of us.
If we genuinely want better outcomes for young people and families, we must start by listening to the people living those experiences every day.”
What Happens Next?
Over the coming months, we will be speaking to:
- Young people
- Parents and carers
- Employers
- Schools and colleges
- Community groups
- Residents
Our aim is simple:
500 voices from across Bolton.
The findings will be used to create:
Our Bolton. Our Future Report 2026
A community-led report that captures the voices, experiences, concerns, and aspirations of the people who call Bolton home.
The report will be shared with:
- Bolton Council
- Local MPs
- Schools and colleges
- Employers
- Community organisations
- Funders
- Decision-makers
Most importantly, young people will help present the findings themselves.
Help Shape Bolton’s Future
Whether you’re a young person, parent, resident, employer, teacher, volunteer, or community leader, we want to hear from you.
Take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your views.
Because the future of Bolton starts with listening.
And every voice matters.
Our Bolton. Our Future.
Our Voice. Our Opportunity. Our Future.
Take the Survey: https://forms.gle/
Delivered by Genuine Futures CIC
Restore Young Futures
Talent Is Everywhere. Opportunity Is Not.
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