“We Don’t Just See the Problem – We Are the Solution”
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Young People Lead the Conversation on Bolton’s NEET Crisis
This week, Genuine Futures welcomed Member of Parliament for Bolton North East, Kirith Entwistle, to the Genuine Futures Youth Enterprise Hub at The Scrappers in Bolton.
This wasn’t just a visit.
It was a moment of truth.
A moment where young people stepped forward to speak—not about theory, but about real life.
A Powerful Opening from Cameron
The visit began with a statement that set the tone for everything that followed.
Delivered by Cameron, one of the young people supported by Genuine Futures, it was honest, direct, and impossible to ignore.
Cameron’s Statement
Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. This meeting is not just about conversation — it’s about action.
Bolton is facing a growing crisis. Our NEET numbers are higher than the national average, but behind those statistics are real young people — many of whom are here with us today. Young people who have been excluded, overlooked, or simply not given the opportunity to thrive.
And what we know is this — the numbers we see are only the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands more young people not captured in those figures. Young people leaving education early. Young people disengaging from college. Young people entering the justice system. Young people who are unseen, unheard, and unsupported.
Today, we bring their voices into this room.
We are a grassroots organisation, working on the front line every single day. Through programmes like Boss Your Future, we’ve supported hundreds of young people — helping them into employment, education, and enterprise. We’ve seen young people start their own businesses, build confidence, and develop real, transferable life skills.
This isn’t theory. This is proven impact.
And we believe that solutions to this crisis must come from organisations like ours — embedded in communities, building trust, and delivering real outcomes.
But we cannot do this alone.
Today is about starting a new conversation — one where grassroots organisations, young people, and government work together. We want to agree clear priorities. We want to understand how we can secure a seat at the table — not just locally, but nationally — to help shape the response to this crisis.
Because we don’t just see the problem. We are part of the solution.
And today, we’re proud to share that our work has been recognised through a new five-year partnership with the Co-op Foundation. This is a significant step forward — and a clear signal that long-term investment in grassroots, youth-led solutions works.
But this is just the beginning.
Today, we ask:
How do we work together to tackle the NEET crisis in Bolton?
How do we ensure young people’s voices shape policy?
And how do we build a future where every young person has purpose, opportunity, and hope?
We are ready to work together.
Let’s make today the starting point for real change.
Why This Moment Matters
Cameron’s words captured something bigger than a single visit.
They highlighted a reality seen across Bolton—and across the UK:
• Young people falling through the gaps
• Systems not connecting early enough
• Opportunities coming too late
But they also showed something else:
The solution is already here.
Lived Experience That Drives Change
Following the opening, Luis shared his lived experience—bringing authenticity and depth to the discussion.
This is what makes Genuine Futures different.
Young people are not just participants.
They are leaders, voices, and part of the solution.
A Practical Solution: We Shine Any Car Academy
During the visit, we showcased our three-step vehicle maintenance and cleaning pathway through the We Shine Any Car Academy.
This model provides:
• Hands-on vocational training
• Real work experience
• Customer service skills
• A pathway into employment or self-employment
Delivered in a live working environment, it offers something many young people have never had:
A real opportunity.
The System Challenge: Not Working Together
One of the key discussions with Kirith Entwistle focused on a critical issue:
A lack of joined-up working and early referral.
Too often:
• Organisations operate in silos
• Support comes too late
• Young people are missed entirely
This is where change must happen.
Moving Forward: From Conversation to Action
We were encouraged by the support shown during the visit, including commitments to:
• Bring organisations together to improve collaboration and early referral
• Support engagement through the Breightmet Pride of Place initiative
• Connect Genuine Futures to the national inquiry into NEET young people
• Strengthen connections with local schools
These steps are essential if we are serious about tackling the NEET crisis.
A 360-Degree Solution
At Genuine Futures, we are building a complete pathway for young people, combining:
• Skills
• Enterprise
• Mentoring
• Real work experience
• Community engagement
This is not theory.
This is happening now.
The Bigger Picture
Across the UK, there are still around one million young people who are NEET.
But as Cameron said:
“The numbers we see are only the tip of the iceberg.”
The real challenge is bigger.
And so must be the response.
A Call to Work Together
If we are serious about change, we need:
• Early intervention
• Collaboration across services
• Investment in grassroots organisations
• Young people at the centre of the conversation
Final Thought
This visit wasn’t just about showcasing a programme.
It was about shifting the conversation.
From:
What’s the problem?
To:
What’s the solution—and how do we scale it?
Because as Cameron said:
“We don’t just see the problem. We are part of the solution.”
Get Involved
If you are a:
• School
• Local authority
• Business
• Funder
We invite you to work with Genuine Futures to support young people across Bolton.
Together, we can build a future where every young person has:
Purpose. Opportunity. Hope.