Bossing Your Future: How Alice Built Confidence Through Connection
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At Genuine Futures, we believe that preparing young people for their futures is about more than just qualifications and technical skills. It’s about confidence, connection, and belonging. That’s exactly what Alice discovered when she joined the ‘Boss Your Future’ programme—a journey that didn’t just help her learn new things, but helped her feel seen, heard, and valued.
In this blog, we shine a spotlight on Alice’s story—how she stepped out of her comfort zone, found joy in new experiences, and made lasting connections that continue to shape her confidence today.
Stepping Into Something New
When Alice first joined the Boss Your Future programme, she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Like many young people navigating transitions—whether it’s from school to work, or uncertainty into opportunity—there’s often a sense of hesitation. The fear of not fitting in, or of not being “good enough,” can stop people from fully engaging.
But for Alice, this programme became a safe space to break through those fears.
“I’ve made some great friends,” she said. “And I’ve just like really enjoyed myself with it ‘cause I’m really getting out of my comfort zone. It’s just really fun.”
That last line says a lot. Fun might not be the first word people associate with personal development, but it’s a powerful one. When learning feels engaging and enjoyable, it becomes easier to take risks, try new things, and believe in your ability to grow.
The Power of Connection
Confidence often gets talked about in terms of self-esteem or assertiveness, but one of the biggest drivers of real confidence is connection—to others, to purpose, and to community.
For Alice, one of the most valuable parts of the programme was the people she met along the way.
Being part of a group, sharing experiences, laughing together, and working through challenges side by side created a sense of belonging that deeply enriched her learning.
It’s easy to overlook the value of peer support when we talk about employability or personal growth. But research and real-life experiences alike show that people thrive when they feel connected—when they know someone else believes in them, or when they’re encouraged by peers going through similar journeys.
Alice puts it simply, but powerfully:
“Even doing the work at like The Gateway and that—it was just fun to be able to sit there and talk to people and learn new things.”
These small moments of casual connection—talking to others, sharing stories, learning from each other—create ripples of impact. They build trust. They make people feel welcome. And they remind young people that they don’t have to figure everything out alone.
Learning Through Doing
Another key part of Alice’s growth came from hands-on learning experiences, particularly her time at The Gateway, a vibrant community space where young people can connect with support, resources, and real-world opportunities.
Instead of sitting in a classroom absorbing theory, Alice was out there doing the work, engaging with real people, and learning organically.
This type of experiential learning is a core part of the Boss Your Future approach. We know that young people build confidence not just from being taught, but from doing—from showing up, trying things, sometimes failing, and getting right back up again with support around them.
Whether it’s planning a group project, talking to members of the public, or collaborating with staff and volunteers, these experiences help participants grow not just in skill, but in self-belief.
Alice’s reflections on her time at The Gateway show exactly that. She found joy not just in the task, but in the interaction—the casual, meaningful moments that add up to real learning.
Beyond Skills: Building Belonging
So often, programmes aimed at youth development focus narrowly on skills: How to write a CV. How to speak in an interview. How to present professionally. These things matter—but they don’t work in isolation.
Because before you can share your story in an interview, you have to believe your story matters.
Before you can present confidently, you need to feel comfortable in your own skin.
And before you can really learn new skills, you need to be in an environment where you feel safe to try.
That’s what belonging does. It creates a foundation for growth. When a young person feels included, seen, and part of something bigger than themselves, they stop holding back. They start engaging fully. They start believing in what’s possible.
Alice’s journey with Boss Your Future is a testament to this. The skills and experience she gained are important—but just as vital are the friendships, the laughs, the sense of community, and the joy of pushing past fear into something empowering.
Why This Matters
At Genuine Futures, we see the same pattern over and over again. When young people feel disconnected, isolated, or unsupported, it shows up as disengagement. They stop applying, stop showing up, stop believing.
But when you create the right environment—one that’s built on connection, trust, and fun—everything changes.
Participants like Alice remind us that confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build—together.
That’s why the Boss Your Future programme is about so much more than job prep. It’s about supporting the whole person. Encouraging real connection. Creating space for authentic growth.
And it’s working.
In Alice’s Words
Let’s go back to the beginning and hear from Alice once more:
“I’ve made some great friends. And I’ve just like really enjoyed myself with it ‘cause I’m really getting out of my comfort zone. It’s just really fun.”
“Even doing the work at like The Gateway and that—it was just fun to be able to sit there and talk to people and learn new things.”
Simple words. But packed with meaning.
Alice didn’t just complete a programme—she took a step toward a more confident future. She tried something new, built relationships, gained experience, and discovered the joy of learning through connection.
Final Thoughts
As we continue to support young people across our communities, let’s remember: growth doesn’t just happen in classrooms or training centres. It happens in conversation, in shared laughter, in real connection.
Let’s keep creating spaces like Boss Your Future where young people like Alice can not only build their skills, but build their confidence—and feel that they truly belong.
Because when you feel like you belong, you believe you can do anything. And that belief? That’s where the future begins.
Want to learn more about the Genuine Futures: Boss Your Future programme?
Visit genuinefutures.co.uk or follow us on social media to see how we’re helping young people like Alice take charge of their futures—one connection at a time.
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