How National Lottery Funding Is Changing Young Lives in Bolton
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At Genuine Futures CIC, we support young people aged 14–24 who are at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET), many of whom feel disconnected, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn next.
Thanks to National Lottery funding in Bolton and Greater Manchester, we are able to deliver early, practical and relationship-based support that creates real opportunities for young people to rebuild confidence, develop skills and move toward positive futures.
This funding is not just supporting activities — it is helping young people rebuild trust, stability, and belief in themselves.
The Growing Challenges Facing Young People in Our Communities
Across Bolton and Greater Manchester, increasing numbers of young people are struggling to access stable education, employment, and mental health support. Many of the young people referred to us have experienced:
- School exclusion or persistent absence
- Anxiety, low confidence, and poor mental health
- Family breakdown or housing instability
- Risk of criminal exploitation or involvement with the justice system
- Disengagement from mainstream services
Without early intervention, these challenges often escalate, leading to long-term unemployment, poor wellbeing and increased risk of offending.
That’s why community youth projects in Bolton like Genuine Futures are essential — and why National Lottery funding plays such a vital role in helping local charities intervene early and effectively.
Empowering Young People Through the Clean Start Initiative
Our Clean Start Initiative creates much-needed opportunities for young people in our communities by fostering entrepreneurial thinking and employability skills through real, hands-on experience.
Delivered through our Youth Enterprise Hub at The Scrappers and in community settings, the programme combines learning with practical application — helping young people move from confidence-building to real-world skills.
Our expanded delivery includes:
- 18 in-person “Unlocking Your Potential” sessions
- 10 community-based outreach sessions
- Supporting up to 240 young people across Greater Manchester
Topics covered include:
- Resilience and mindset
- Entrepreneurial and employment skills
- CV building and interview preparation
- Communication and teamwork
- Customer service and workplace behaviour
All participants also have the opportunity to apply their skills through our community pop-up car cleaning services, giving them direct experience of customer interaction, timekeeping, teamwork and responsibility.
Mike Alleyne, Co-Director of Genuine Futures, explains:
“A lot of the young people we meet don’t need another leaflet or short course — they need consistent adults, real opportunities, and a place where they feel they belong. National Lottery funding allows us to build those relationships properly and support young people for the long term, not just a few weeks.”
Proven Outcomes and Strong Expectations for Impact
Our approach is grounded in evidence from previous Unlocking Your Potential programmes, where young people have gone on to:
- Start work
- Enrol in education or training
- Launch small businesses
Based on previous learning, ongoing research, and continuous feedback from participants, we fully expect not only to achieve but to exceed previous outcomes over the 18-month programme period.
We actively collect feedback through surveys after each session to track:
- Confidence levels
- Aspirations and goals
- Engagement and wellbeing
This data directly informs programme improvements and ensures our delivery remains responsive to young people’s needs.
Supporting Young People at Risk of NEET and Criminal Exploitation
The programme specifically supports 14–24-year-olds at risk of NEET status or criminal exploitation, offering safe alternatives, trusted relationships, and positive peer networks.
Expected outcomes include:
- Improved confidence and self-esteem
- Enhanced resilience and emotional regulation
- Better communication and teamwork skills
- Increased employability and work readiness
- Reduced risk of offending and long-term disengagement
By intervening early, we help prevent escalation into crisis — benefiting not only individuals but families, schools and communities.
A Young Person’s Journey: From Withdrawn to Re-Engaged
One young person, Jay, was encouraged to attend Genuine Futures by his mum after becoming withdrawn and refusing to engage with college or job searching.
Through consistent mentoring and practical enterprise activities, Jay began to open up, arrive regularly, and take pride in contributing to daily operations.
Today, he confidently supports customer-facing tasks and is actively exploring employment pathways.
His mum told us:
“I didn’t think he’d stick with anything, but Genuine Futures gave him something he believes in — and people who believe in him.”
Youth Voice at the Heart of Our Work
Youth Voice Ambassador Luis Green shared:
“Before I came to Genuine Futures, I didn’t really believe in myself or think I had much to offer. Being here showed me that people actually care about what I think and what I want to do with my life. It gave me confidence and made me want to help other young people who feel the same way I did.”
Young people help shape our programmes, give regular feedback, and act as ambassadors so that services remain relevant and respectful.
Why Lived Experience Leadership Matters
Genuine Futures is led by people with lived experience of the same systems many young people are navigating today.
Co-Director Sam Smith explains:
“I know what it feels like to be written off early and not given a second chance. That’s why everything we do is about belief, trust and practical opportunity. National Lottery funding gives us the stability to stand alongside young people for as long as it takes, not just until the next funding deadline.”
This leadership model builds trust quickly and helps engage young people who have disengaged from traditional services.
Strong Social Value and Cost Savings for Communities
Early intervention is not only the right thing to do — it is also highly cost-effective.
With the average cost of keeping a young person in custody at around £100,000 per year, and a lifetime of persistent offending estimated to cost around £1.5 million, we know that prevention matters.
Our evidence shows that every £1 invested in early intervention can save between £5 and £10 in future public costs, through reduced offending, improved employment outcomes, and stronger community stability.
Our programmes also bring young people and the business community together, bridging the gap to employment by co-creating real transition opportunities rather than expecting young people to navigate systems alone.
Thank You to National Lottery Players
We are incredibly grateful to National Lottery players whose support makes this work possible.
Every mentoring conversation, every skill learned, and every young person who finds a new direction is part of the impact you are helping to create.
Together, we are proving that with the right support, young people can — and do — change their futures.
Call-to-Action Block (for website)
Concerned about a young person who feels stuck or disengaged?
Refer them to our Boss Your Future or Unlocking Your Potential programmes
Partner with us to support more young people in Bolton and Greater Manchester
Donate to help fund places for those who need it most
Visit: www.genuinefutures.co.uk | Email: hello@genuinefutures.org.uk