Teachers Say It Best: Why Schools Should Invite Genuine Futures to Inspire Their Students

Posted on: 27th July 2026 | 4 min

“Do It. Get Genuine Futures In.”

Sometimes the most powerful feedback comes from the people who witness the impact first-hand.

Following an Inspiring Speakers session delivered by Genuine Futures at Crewe UTC, teachers John and Sophie shared their reflections on what they had just experienced.

Their message to other schools was simple.

“Do it. If you can, do it. Get Genuine Futures in.”

For us, those words mean everything.

At Genuine Futures, our mission is to bridge the gap to opportunity by helping young people believe in themselves, recognise their potential and see that their future is never defined by their past.

Around 100 Students. Complete Silence.

The session, kindly sponsored by MC Construction, brought together around 100 students for an honest conversation about life, resilience and opportunity.

There were no PowerPoint presentations filled with statistics.

Instead, students heard real stories.

Stories of making poor choices.

Stories of prison.

Stories of addiction.

Stories of bereavement.

Stories of rebuilding lives.

Most importantly…

Stories of hope.

Throughout the session the room remained completely focused.

Students listened.

They reflected.

They asked questions.

Many stayed afterwards wanting to continue the conversation.

For teachers, that level of engagement spoke volumes.

Why Lived Experience Matters

Schools do an incredible job preparing young people for exams, careers and adult life.

However, there are some lessons that can only be taught by people who have lived them.

Genuine Futures combines lived experience with practical solutions.

Rather than telling young people what not to do, we help them understand:

how choices shape our future
why resilience matters
how to overcome setbacks
the importance of trusted relationships
the value of education and employment
how employers can open doors
why asking for help is a strength

These conversations support PSHE education, careers education, employability, personal development and student wellbeing.

Teachers Saw the Difference

Following the session, teacher John reflected on the impact.

“I found it very inspiring. The students were fantastic. They really listened to what you were saying. I think it really spoke to them. The message you’re sending, and your own stories, is a really powerful one.”

His colleague Sophie explained why lived experience connects with students so effectively.

“We tell the students all the time that it doesn’t matter where they’ve come from. It’s up to them to build their future and be industry ready.”

She continued:

“When they hear your experiences, see the photographs and understand the journeys you’ve both been on, it really hits home. They think we’re saying it because we’re teachers. We’re not. We’re saying it because it’s true. Genuine Futures just cements that message.”

When asked what she would say to another school considering booking Genuine Futures, Sophie replied without hesitation.

“Do it. Do it if you can. Get them in.”

She went on to explain that within minutes of the session finishing, students were already asking how they could become involved.

That immediate response demonstrates the power of combining authentic lived experience with positive opportunities.

Prevention Before Crisis

At Genuine Futures, we believe that prevention is always better than crisis intervention.

Too often support begins after a young person has disengaged from education, become unemployed or reached a point of crisis.

Our approach is different.

We work alongside schools, colleges, employers, local authorities and community organisations to engage young people earlier.

By building trusted relationships, raising aspirations and creating practical opportunities, we help young people develop confidence before problems become entrenched.

This preventative approach benefits not only young people but also schools, families, employers and local communities.

More Than a Motivational Talk

Our sessions don’t end when the applause stops.

We help schools connect young people with genuine opportunities.

These include:

Employability programmes
Enterprise projects
Employer visits
Workplace experiences
Community volunteering
Youth voice projects
Business mentoring
Skills development
Pathways into education, apprenticeships and employment

Our goal is not simply to inspire young people for one morning.

Our goal is to help change the direction of their future.

Thank You to MC Construction

This event was made possible through the support of MC Construction.

Their sponsorship demonstrates how businesses can make a real difference through meaningful social value.

Employers have an important role in helping young people prepare for work.

Whether that’s through workplace visits, apprenticeships, mentoring, careers talks or supporting events like this, every business has something valuable to offer.

Strong communities are built when education, employers and community organisations work together.

Could Genuine Futures Support Your School?

If you’re looking for inspiring speakers for schools, motivational speakers for students, PSHE workshops, employability sessions, careers inspiration or resilience workshops, we’d love to work with you.

Our sessions are ideal for: