ThinkForward UK

ThinkForward exists to support young people to create better and brighter futures. We want them to be able to identify, realise and shape their aspirations and be ready to make a successful transition into work. Young people experiencing barriers such as challenging relationships, living in low-income households, or growing up in areas with a lack of access to opportunities can be confronted with hurdles. Without the right support these can lead to high risks of unemployment and long-term effects on their career and life chances. There are more than 800,000 16-24-year olds in the UK who aren’t at school or college, or don’t have a job or training place. Our ambition is to prevent young people becoming one of these statistics. We run three programmes that support young people to gain the independence, skills and confidence they need to make a successful transition into work. The FutureMe programme provides five years of personalised coaching and employability activities to get young people ready for the world of work. Coaches build trusted relationships, empowering young people to take control, find solutions to challenges, develop skills and create a positive vision for their future. Specialised ready for work activities support young people to get familiar with the workplace, become inspired and identify a pathway to their chosen career. The Making Strides programme works in London and the West Midlands with young people who have mild to moderate learning disabilities with the aim of supporting them into paid employment. Our Future Leaders programme supports young black students who have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion to transition into positive post-16 destinations. Coaches provide long-term support to prepare young people for sustainable paid employment. Young people take part in insight visits, work placements and business mentoring to build their experience and develop skills and capabilities.