Genuine Futures and Aurora Woodlands School Join Forces to Empower Young Entrepreneurs in Darwen
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Darwen, Lancashire — A new partnership between Genuine Futures and Aurora Woodlands School is helping young people unlock their potential through a hands-on entrepreneurship programme designed to build confidence, spark ambition, and prepare students for life beyond school.
Genuine Futures, a community-focused organisation that empowers young people through personal development and mentoring programmes, is currently delivering its Taste of Enterprise course to Year 10 students at Aurora Woodlands, a specialist school that supports learners with additional social, emotional, and academic needs.
“The Aurora values—Caring, Ambitious, Collaborative, Trusted, and Innovative—line up perfectly with how we work,” said Stuart Jamieson, Deputy Head of Aurora Woodlands School.
“This programme is giving our students a space to explore ideas and believe in themselves in a way they haven’t experienced before.”
“It wasn’t good—it was great!”
The Taste of Enterprise programme invites students to think creatively, develop real business ideas, and build key skills like teamwork, leadership, and communication.
“I didn’t think I could come up with a business idea, but I did—and now I want to make it real,” said one Year 10 student.
Another added, “I’ve never been this confident speaking in front of people. This programme has helped me loads.”
One student summed it up simply: “It wasn’t good—it was great.”
Creating Pathways Beyond the Classroom
Aurora Woodlands School, located in the scenic town of Darwen, provides therapeutic and academic support to young people who have often faced challenges in mainstream education. The school’s personalised approach focuses on building trust, encouraging progress, and helping each student find a path forward.
For Mike Alleyne, Director of Genuine Futures, the collaboration is about much more than business skills.
“We want young people to leave school not just with qualifications, but with a sense of purpose and possibility,” said Mike.
“This partnership gives students the confidence to say, ‘I can do this.’ That’s where change really begins.”
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
Both organisations are deeply aligned in their missions and values, making the collaboration a natural fit.
Genuine Futures operates with a commitment to trust, respect, and integrity—values echoed in Aurora’s school culture. Together, they aim to ensure that all young people, regardless of their background, can access opportunities that set them up for a positive future.
“This is what education should look like—engaging, empowering, and rooted in the real world,” said Stuart.
Call for Support
Genuine Futures is now calling on local businesses, schools, and supporters to get involved in its mission. From volunteering and mentoring to providing resources or funding, there are many ways to contribute.
“This is just the beginning,” said Mike.
“We’re building genuine futures, one young person at a time. And we welcome anyone who wants to join us.”