Changing Young Lives From the Ground Up: Youth Enterprise, NEET Reduction & Community Leadership
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Across Salford, Bolton — and communities all over the UK — too many young people feel forgotten, unsupported, and left behind by systems that were meant to protect them. We see it every day — isolation, low confidence, no direction, and futures that feel out of reach.
Genuine Futures is changing that, one street, one conversation, one young person at a time.
Our Aim: Reduce NEET and Raise Potential
Our mission is clear: reduce NEET (not in education, employment, or training) among 15–24-year-olds by providing real pathways into college, work, enterprise, leadership, and youth organising.
When young people gain belief, tools, structure, and support — everything changes.
Why This Matters: The Statistics Speak
Young people from care backgrounds and those with justice-system contact are at much greater risk of being disconnected from opportunity:
- Nearly 4 in 10 care leavers aged 19-21 are NEET — compared with around 13% of all young people in the same age group. 
- Over the eight years after leaving school, 1 in 4 care-experienced young people in England has never been in employment or education, compared to 4% among all other school leavers. 
- Many care-experienced young people face additional risks: unstable housing, insecure employment, mental health issues, and contact with the youth justice system. 
These numbers show that for care leavers and young people with complex needs, lack of support often means being locked out of opportunity. That’s where Genuine Futures steps in.
We See Talent Everywhere — Opportunity Is Not
The issue isn’t talent.
It isn’t drive.
It isn’t potential.
The issue is access.
We meet young people every day who are:
- creative
- resourceful
- resilient
- community-minded
- natural leaders
But without opportunity, their potential remains unseen. We exist to bridge that gap between talent and opportunity — and turn potential into action.
Supported by Local Authorities and National Funders
Our work is backed by:
- Salford City Council
- Bolton Council
- The National Lottery Community Fund
Their support helps us reach young people who would otherwise remain invisible to mainstream services — offering consistent, practical, youth-led interventions.
On the Streets Where Change Starts
We don’t wait for young people to find us.
We go to them.
We run outreach and engagement in:
- estates
- youth clubs
- community centres
- parks
- scrapyards
- school corridors
- back streets
Because young people shouldn’t have to chase support — support should show up for them.
We often hear:
“Nobody ever came looking for me before.”
“The system gave up on me.”
“I just needed someone to believe I could do something with my life.”
Those voices guide our approach.
Facing Real Challenges Head On
This work isn’t easy:
- youth justice systems who rarely collaborate
- organisations hesitant to address trauma, exclusion, addiction, or homelessness
- silo working rather than shared responsibility
We challenge that culture with honesty, persistence, and partnership.
Because fragmentation fails young people — collaboration supports them.
Partnership at the Core
We believe sustainable change is a team effort.
We work with like-minded organisations who share our vision and commitment, including:
- schools and alternative provision settings
- safeguarding and youth-service teams
- community groups and grassroots networks
- local businesses and social enterprises
- local authority departments
We don’t compete — we collaborate.
We don’t gatekeep — we share.
We don’t stand alone — we build networks.
What Practitioners Are Saying
Candice Yates, Physical Health Co-ordinator at Ellesmere Park School, Salford, said after our session:
“I was blown away — so inspirational, you’re leading the way.”
That feedback validates our approach and shows the real impact of youth-led engagement in school settings.
Youth Organising and Leadership Development
Youth voice isn’t tokenism — it is delivery, leadership, and strategy.
We support young people to:
- organise youth-led campaigns
- run community action projects
- take part in street outreach
- lead enterprise initiatives
- manage events, outreach, and recruitment
- develop leadership skills through responsibility, decision-making, and hands-on experience
Our approach builds:
- confidence
- communication
- teamwork
- problem-solving
- planning & project management
- independence and leadership
Young people don’t just participate — they lead.
Youth Voices — Real Quotes, Real Change
Jaxon
“I was stuck inside losing hours of my life. Genuine Futures helped me get outside, socialise, and now I’m in full-time college studying mechanics.”
Brianna
“I never thought I had leadership skills until I joined. Now I’m helping plan projects, speaking up, and supporting others to get involved. It’s changed how I see myself.”
Luis
“This is the first time I’ve been trusted to represent something positive. I’ve gained confidence talking to businesses, making videos, and pushing myself to keep improving.”
Keir
“Knocking on doors and talking to people was scary at first. Now I’m leading outreach in the community and getting proper responses. It made me realise I can do this.”
These quotes show youth organising in real time — belief turning into action.
Programmes Delivering Real Change
This year alone, we have reached over 1,500 young people through:
- Restore Young Futures (National Lottery funded)
- Boss Your Future Salford (Salford City Council supported)
- Boss Your Future Bolton (Bolton Council supported)
- Taste of Enterprise
- Inspiring speakers sessions
- We Shine Any Car youth enterprise training
- Youth Charter development & outreach
- Youth organising and street engagement campaigns
Standout Successes in Salford and Bolton
Salford
- Young people progressing into college, apprenticeships, and paid work
- Schools report improved confidence, engagement, and attendance
- Youth leaders now involved in recruitment and delivery across projects
Bolton
- Youth enterprise thriving under We Shine Any Car
- Young people earning through workplace valeting and developing business skills
- Recruitment is open for Boss Your Future Bolton — Cohort 2, starting early 2026
This is change in motion — not theory.
Highlight: Aurora Woodlands School
Our Taste of Enterprise programme at Aurora Woodlands School was described by teachers as transformational.
Students:
- worked in teams
- planned, costed, and pitched enterprise ideas
- gained confidence, communication, and real-world skills
That success is shaping our approach across other alternative provision and SEND settings across Greater Manchester.
Real Stories. Real Futures.
Jaxon, one of our young people, said:
“I was stuck inside, losing hours of my life. Genuine Futures helped me get outside, socialise, and now I’m in full-time college studying mechanics.”
He is one of many turning potential into purpose — thanks to enterprise, mentorship, belief, and opportunity.
Heading Into 2026: Clear Strategy, Real Action
We’re entering 2026 with a purposeful, youth-led strategy:
- scale youth enterprise opportunities
- expand Taste of Enterprise delivery
- strengthen relationships with youth justice services
- build youth organising networks
- create structured progression pathways from outreach → enterprise → employment
- deliver Boss Your Future Bolton Cohort 2
- grow our Youth Charter into a regional youth voice platform
Youth-powered solutions for youth-led challenges.
Join the Movement
Do you know a 15–24-year-old who is not in education, employment, or training — or someone whose potential is being wasted? We’re here to help.
hello@genuinefutures.co.uk
01204 954200
Genuine Futures Youth Enterprise Hub
Metro Business Park, 228 Waterloo St, Bolton, BL1 8HU
Genuine Futures — reducing NEET, building youth leaders, and changing young lives through enterprise, organising, community action, and belief.