National Media Visits Genuine Futures to Showcase a Different Future for Young People
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This week, Genuine Futures was proud to welcome a journalist from the Daily Mirror to our Young Futures Hub in Bolton.
The visit follows growing national attention on the rising number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), and the urgent need for practical solutions that create real opportunities.
While national debate often focuses on statistics and policy, the journalist came to see something different – what happens when young people are listened to, believed in and given the opportunity to succeed.
Bringing the National Conversation to Bolton
The visit explored how Genuine Futures is working alongside young people who have experienced multiple barriers to education, employment and opportunity.
During the day, the journalist met our team, visited the Young Futures Hub and spoke directly with Luis and Cameron, who shared their own experiences of rebuilding confidence, developing new skills and creating brighter futures through our programmes.
Their stories demonstrate that behind every statistic is a young person with potential.
Relationships Before Results
At Genuine Futures, we believe lasting change begins with trusted relationships.
Our flagship Boss Your Future programme combines personalised mentoring, practical learning, youth enterprise and employer engagement to help young people develop the confidence, skills and experience they need to move forward.
Alongside this, our youth-led social enterprises We Shine Any Car and Clean Futures give young people the opportunity to learn by doing, gain real work experience and contribute positively to their communities.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, we work alongside each young person to build a pathway that reflects their ambitions, strengths and circumstances.
More Than Qualifications
We welcome the growing national focus on improving technical education and strengthening links between schools, employers and industry.
However, qualifications alone cannot overcome isolation, trauma, poverty or a lack of opportunity.
Many young people need trusted adults, practical experience, positive role models and consistent support before they are ready to thrive in employment or education.
That is why Genuine Futures continues to champion prevention, collaboration and community-led solutions that address the wider barriers young people face.
Sam Smith, Founder and Co-Director of Genuine Futures
“It was a privilege to welcome the Daily Mirror to the Young Futures Hub and share the incredible journeys of the young people we work alongside.
National conversations are important, but real change happens in communities through trusted relationships, meaningful opportunities and people who refuse to give up on young people.
Every day we see young people who have been overlooked discover confidence, purpose and hope. That’s why we believe prevention is more effective than crisis intervention, and why we’re committed to bridging the gap to opportunity.”
Mike Alleyne, Co-Director of Genuine Futures
“Every young person deserves someone who believes in them before they believe in themselves. That’s why we focus on building trusted relationships first. Once a young person feels listened to, valued and supported, they begin to see opportunities instead of barriers.
It was fantastic to welcome the Daily Mirror to the Young Futures Hub and show that lasting change doesn’t come from a one-size-fits-all programme. It comes from working alongside young people, recognising their individual strengths and creating real pathways into employment, education, enterprise and community.”
Building a Movement for Change
The visit recognises not only the work taking place at Genuine Futures, but also the commitment of our partners, employers, volunteers and supporters who believe every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed.
Together, we are demonstrating that when communities, businesses and local organisations work together, young people can overcome barriers, discover their potential and build brighter futures.
This is about more than one organisation.
It is about creating a movement that puts relationships, opportunity and prevention at the heart of supporting young people.
Read the Original Daily Mirror Article
You can read the original article here:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/andy-burnham-enterprise-jobs-neets-37494501
Get Involved
Whether you’re a young person looking for support, an employer wanting to create opportunities, or an organisation interested in working in partnership, we’d love to hear from you.
Together, we can create more opportunities, stronger communities and brighter futures.
Genuine Futures – Bridging the Gap to Opportunity.