From the Bedroom to the Big Car Clean: Luis Discovers His Potential on Boss Your Future
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Stuck in a cycle of inactivity, 20-year-old Luis didn’t see a way forward—until he joined the Boss Your Future programme. From hands-on teamwork to learning the power of mindset, discover how one event helped him shift from surviving to thriving. Featuring insights from Mike Alleyne, Director of Genuine Futures.
A New Start in Bolton
When Luis, 20, joined the Boss Your Future programme in Bolton, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Like many young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), Luis struggled with motivation and routine. Each day looked the same—staying indoors, lacking direction, and feeling stuck.
Sadly, Luis’s experience reflects a wider issue. As of 2024, more than 850,000 young people aged 16–24 in the UK are classed as NEET. Many also face significant mental health challenges, with 1 in 6 young people now experiencing poor mental health—a figure that has been rising steadily since the pandemic.
But everything started to shift when Luis took a chance and stepped into something new.
Boss Your Future, delivered by the Genuine Futures initiative, equips young people with practical skills, confidence, and the experience they need to step into the world of work. A key part of the programme is getting involved in real, community-based projects—and for Luis, the Big Car Clean Event 2025 in Oldham was a turning point.
Learning by Doing
We caught up with Luis during the event to hear how the experience impacted him.
“Basically, you learn that this is hard work—but once you get going, it’s the easiest thing in the world. I never thought I could do it, but now I can.”
From pressure washing to polishing, Luis realised that car cleaning isn’t just physical—it’s about focus, consistency, and the right mindset.
“Anything to do with cleaning cars is more intuitive than you initially think. You’ve got to have the right materials, the right equipment, and the mindset—especially when it comes to cleaning.”
The experience gave Luis a real sense of ownership and pride. He wasn’t just working—he was contributing, learning, and growing.
“The best part of today is getting to work with my own two hands—and having this experience working as a team.”
A Shift in Mindset
Before joining the programme, Luis says he lacked structure and felt stuck in a routine of inactivity.
“It’s given me a ton of experience. It gets me out the house, it gets me working, it gets me moving—instead of laying in bed all day.”
These changes may seem small on the surface, but for someone like Luis, they represent a major mental shift—from isolation and self-doubt to action and self-belief.
The act of cleaning cars also offered something deeper. For many young people, hands-on work can be therapeutic—promoting mindfulness, focus, and a sense of calm. As Luis scrubbed, polished, and rinsed, he was also resetting mentally, breaking the cycle of inactivity and disconnection.
Words from the Director
Mike Alleyne, Director of Genuine Futures, has seen the change in Luis first-hand:
“What we’re doing with Boss Your Future is creating the kind of opportunities we wish every young person had access to. It’s not just about giving them a task—it’s about helping them build confidence, gain structure, and realise they’re capable of more than they’ve been told.”
He added:
“When I saw Luis at the Big Car Clean, I saw a young man who was switched on, engaged, and taking pride in his work. That’s the transformation we want to see—and it’s just the beginning.”
Creating Genuine Futures
Boss Your Future is more than a training course—it’s a pathway to purpose. It offers young people like Luis the opportunity to build practical skills, rediscover their self-worth, and gain real-life experience that translates into employment and enterprise.
The impact is clear:
- Improved mental wellbeing
- New skills and routines
- Confidence through teamwork
- Structure, motivation, and hope
Luis’s journey is just one of many—but it proves what’s possible when young people are given the support, belief, and chance to succeed.
“I never thought I could do it,” Luis told us, “but now I can.”
Want to support or refer a young person to the Boss Your Future programme?
Contact the Genuine Futures team here to find out more and be part of the movement giving young people a future worth fighting for.