Breaking the Cycle: How Genuine Futures Supports Justice-Experienced Young People
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Too often, justice-experienced young people are written off because of their past. At Genuine Futures CIC, we believe in doing the exact opposite. We know that with the right support, trust, and opportunities, these young people can become the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.
Our work focuses on helping young people aged 10–25 (and up to 30 when needed) re-engage with their communities and build positive, purpose-driven futures. And it all starts with meeting them where they are—without judgement.
Led by People Who Get It
What makes our work different? It’s led by people with lived experience of the youth and adult justice systems. We’ve been there. We understand what it means to be overlooked, misunderstood, or stuck in a cycle you don’t know how to break. That’s why young people connect with us—because we offer real understanding, not just services.
What Support Looks Like
Whether inside custody or back in the community, our support is always personal and purposeful:
- Meet & Motivate sessions in prisons and community spaces
- 1:1 mentoring from people who’ve lived it
- Youth-led enterprise, like our car cleaning business
- Life skills and confidence-building programmes
- Support after release, helping with education, employment, and reconnecting with purpose
Prevention and Reintegration
Our work doesn’t start or stop at the gates of a prison. We work on both sides of the justice journey:
- Prevention: Supporting at-risk young people in schools, PRUs, and care settings
- Reintegration: Helping young people after custody to rebuild, grow, and stay out of the system
Working Together with Trusted Partners
We don’t do this alone. We work with a network of incredible referral partners, including:
- Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)
- Probation Services
- Schools and PRUs
- Local authorities and care providers
- Charities and social enterprise partners like Entrepreneurs Unlocked
Together, we create joined-up support that doesn’t let young people fall through the cracks.
Real Stories. Real Impact.
We hear it all the time:
“I wanted to be in Sam’s shoes in the future instead of mine now. It opened my eyes—there’s more to life than being in jail.” – Usman, HMYOI Werrington House
“Inspiring. I need to get out and stop doing crime.” – Isa
And from professionals:
“Very powerful message. More impactful than reading something. Shows they can take control of their future with the right support.” – George, Maths Tutor
The Door Is Always Open
Some young people engage straight away. Others need time. Some come back weeks, months, or years later. And that’s OK.
Our open-door policy means they can always return for support. No shame. No pressure. Just a team ready to walk with them when they’re ready to move.
If you’re working with young people in the justice system—or if you are one—know this: there is a future worth fighting for. And we’re here to help build it.