One Day, One Purpose: Why I’ll Never Forget This Journey Through Bolton
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Some days hit differently. They leave a mark—not just on your memory but deep in your soul. Yesterday was one of those days.
It was a day that brought everything full circle. A reminder of where we’ve come from, why we do what we do, and who we do it for.
At Genuine Futures, we don’t just run programmes—we walk alongside young people who have been forgotten, judged, and pushed to the margins. We create spaces for them to grow, be seen, and step into their potential. And this day—packed with activity across Bolton—was a powerful reflection of how far we’ve come, and how far we’re going.
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From Struggles to Strength: The Journey with Mike Alleyne
By my side every step of the way has been Mike Alleyne, my business partner and fellow director of Genuine Futures.
Like me, Mike knows what it means to grow up with nothing. We’ve both walked through poverty, pain, and systems that didn’t work for us. But instead of letting those experiences break us, we turned them into fuel. And now, we use that shared history to help others rise.
Throughout 2024, Mike and I did what we’ve always done—rolled up our sleeves and got to work. From the boots of our cars, armed with buckets, sponges, cloths, and cleaning gear, we hit the streets across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, car by car, job by job—with young people right beside us.
No flashy vans. No PR campaign. Just honest graft. Teaching the value of consistency, respect, and work ethic. Giving young people a sense of pride in doing a good job—and letting them see that they are capable of building something real, no matter where they’re starting from.
We weren’t just cleaning cars. We were building belief.
That same grassroots spirit—that get-up-and-go resilience—is what drives everything we do at Genuine Futures.
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From Salford to Bolton: Youth Leading the Way
Yesterday, that belief came full circle in the form of three incredible young men: Jaxon, Alex, and Jason.
They started their journey with Boss Your Future in Salford, where they embraced every challenge, opportunity, and growth moment we put in front of them. They worked hard, supported each other, and turned their lives around in ways they didn’t think possible just a year ago.
Now, they’re giving back.
These three are now at the forefront of our Boss Your Future launch in Bolton, stepping up as ambassadors and peer mentors. They stood tall, spoke from the heart, and shared how the programme helped them discover confidence, purpose, and the power of choice.
Young people listen when the message comes from someone who’s lived it. And that’s exactly what happened. They didn’t just talk about the programme—they embodied it. And it lit a spark in everyone they met.
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Starting Strong at Connexions Bolton
Our first stop of the day was Connexions Bolton, where we officially launched Boss Your Future to a new group of local young people.
It felt like something special from the minute we walked through the door. You could feel the curiosity, the hope, the quiet determination.
A huge thank you to Katrina, Connexions’ manager, and Vash Lad for the warm welcome and their belief in what we’re doing. It’s partnerships like these that make the mission real on the ground.
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Real Conversations at Bolton Careers Fair
Next, we headed to the Bolton Careers Fair at the precinct, where Jaxon, Alex, and Jason continued to shine. Alongside our amazing volunteer Shel, they helped spread the word, encouraged sign-ups, and connected with young people facing their own crossroads.
This kind of visibility is crucial. We’re not just telling people they can build a future—we’re showing them how it starts. One conversation. One connection. One belief.
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Hope and Healing at The Lucas Project
Later in the day, we visited the Lucas Project in Farnworth, a supported housing service run by BACKUP North West. These young people have been through more than most. Some are navigating homelessness. Others are trying to piece their lives back together.
We showed up with honesty and heart. We shared our stories, and more importantly—we listened to theirs.
By the end of our session, more young people had signed up for Boss Your Future, and several opened up in ways that left us speechless. This is why we show up. Not to fix anyone—but to remind them that change is possible, and support is real.
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A Full-Circle Moment at Bolton Wanderers
In the afternoon, we had the honour of attending the Trade Decorators Live event at Bolton Wanderers Football Club. For me, this was deeply personal.
This stadium was part of my childhood. It’s where I made memories with my kids. And now, I’m walking through those doors not as a fan in the stands—but as someone trying to build futures from the ground up.
Massive gratitude to Philip Richards, founder of Fresh Colours Decorating, and his wife Sandy for inviting us and opening doors to new opportunities for the young people we serve. We wrapped up the afternoon over a meal at Wagamama’s, where conversations flowed and partnerships began to form.
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First Visit to BLGC—and a Standing Ovation
Our final stop was Bolton Lads & Girls Club (BLGC)—my first visit, but it won’t be the last.
This place is a sanctuary. A true safe space where young people can be themselves, be supported, and be celebrated. We held a session there with local young people, and the reception was unforgettable.
When we finished speaking, they gave us a round of applause that moved me to the core. Not for the performance—but for the connection. They saw something in us. More importantly, they saw something in themselves.
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Reflections: Why This Day Mattered
From the boots of our cars to the doors of youth centres and stadiums—this journey has always been about one thing: people.
The ones who are written off. The ones who’ve slipped through the cracks. The ones who just need someone to believe in them before they can believe in themselves.
What we saw across Bolton was raw potential. Real hunger. And a growing movement of young people who are ready to boss their future—with us walking beside them.
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What Comes Next
The summer launch of Boss Your Future in Bolton is just the beginning. We’re already seeing a wave of interest, energy, and belief that’s ready to spread across the town—and beyond.
But we’re not just scaling a programme. We’re building a movement.
And whether we’re cleaning cars, leading workshops, or knocking on doors with flyers, one thing remains true:
Genuine people really do make a difference. 
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To Mike—my brother in business —thank you for walking this journey with me. We started with buckets and sponges, and now we’re building a legacy. One that helps young people rise, because we know what it’s like to fall.
To everyone who opened a door, shared a story, or stood with us yesterday—thank you. The future is in good hands.
Watch this space.
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Sam Smith
Founder & Director, Genuine Futures
#BossYourFuture #GenuineFutures #FromPovertyToPurpose #YouthEmpowerment #PeerLeadership #BootsAndBuckets #RealPeopleRealImpact #TogetherWeRise