Why Listening to Young People Changes Lives: Mike Alleyne on the Genuine Futures Approach

Posted on: 28th July 2026 | 4 min

It Starts With Listening

Every young person has a story.

Behind every label is a person with dreams, talents and potential waiting to be recognised.

At Genuine Futures, we believe lasting change doesn’t begin with a programme or a policy.

It begins with listening.

In a recent interview, Genuine Futures Co-Director Mike Alleyne explained why listening to young people is the foundation of everything we do and why trusted relationships are essential to helping young people build brighter futures.

Young People Should Help Shape the Support They Receive

Too often, services are designed around what adults think young people need.

At Genuine Futures, we believe the opposite approach creates better outcomes.

Young people should help shape the opportunities, activities and support available to them.

Listening isn’t simply asking questions.

It means acting on what young people tell us.

Whether we’re developing enterprise projects, employability programmes, community initiatives or volunteering opportunities, youth voice sits at the centre of our decision-making.

Because the people closest to the challenges are often closest to the solutions.

Relationships Come Before Results

One of Mike’s strongest messages is simple.

Relationships come first.

Before a young person can engage with education, employment or training, they often need someone they trust.

Many young people have experienced disappointment, rejection or broken relationships.

Building trust cannot be rushed.

It happens through consistency.

It happens through showing up.

It happens through listening without judgement.

At Genuine Futures, we aim to become trusted adults who provide stability, encouragement and belief.

When young people know someone genuinely cares about them, confidence begins to grow.

And when confidence grows, opportunities become possible.

Creating an Environment Where Young People Can Thrive

Trust creates confidence.

Confidence creates participation.

Participation creates opportunity.

Rather than focusing on what young people cannot do, Genuine Futures focuses on their strengths.

Some young people want employment.

Some want to return to education.

Others have creative ideas or entrepreneurial ambitions.

Every journey is different.

That is why we reject a one-size-fits-all approach.

Instead, we work alongside each young person to identify their skills, interests and aspirations before helping them take practical steps towards achieving them.

Proven Results Across Bolton and Salford

The Genuine Futures approach is already making a measurable difference.

Across Bolton and Salford, we’ve supported young people who had been inactive for months—and in some cases years—to take positive steps towards employment, education and enterprise.

Young people who once lacked confidence are now:

Returning to education and training.
Moving into employment.
Developing practical workplace skills.
Starting their own enterprises.
Building confidence through volunteering and community action.
Becoming positive role models for others.

These outcomes demonstrate what becomes possible when prevention, trusted relationships and opportunity come together.

Why Entrepreneurship Matters

Employment is not the only route to success.

Many young people have practical skills, creative talents and business ideas that deserve to be developed.

That’s why entrepreneurship forms an important part of the Genuine Futures model.

Through projects such as Boss Your Future, Clean Futures and We Shine Any Car, young people gain hands-on experience while learning customer service, teamwork, communication, problem-solving and enterprise skills.

Some go on to employment.

Others create opportunities for themselves.

Both outcomes represent success.

Prevention Before Crisis

At Genuine Futures, we often say:

Prevention is more effective than crisis intervention.

Waiting until a young person reaches crisis is costly for individuals, families, communities and public services.

By investing earlier, listening carefully and creating positive opportunities, we can reduce many of the barriers that later become entrenched.

This preventative approach benefits everyone.

Young people build brighter futures.

Communities become stronger.

Employers gain confident, motivated future employees.

Public services experience less demand.

Prevention is not only the right thing to do.

It is also the smartest long-term investment.

Working Together Creates Greater Impact

No single organisation can solve youth inactivity alone.

That’s why Genuine Futures works alongside schools, colleges, employers, local authorities, charities and community organisations.

When education, business and communities collaborate, young people benefit from a wider range of opportunities and stronger support networks.

Every partnership creates another pathway into employment, education, enterprise or community participation.

A Message From Mike Alleyne

Reflecting on the Genuine Futures approach, Mike explained:

“We believe in listening to young people because they should help steer the things we do. We believe in building relationships first because if we can become trusted adults, we can create an environment where people can grow.

We’ve seen young people who had been inactive for years move into employment, return to education and even start their own enterprises.

There’s no one-size-fits-all pathway. Every young person has different ideas, skills and talents. Our job is to help nurture those strengths and create opportunities where they can succeed.”

Those words capture the heart of Genuine Futures.

Not labels.

Not assumptions.

Just listening, believing and creating opportunity.