Celebrating a Year of the Fairer Futures Programme
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Published 18 Apr 2024 in Raising Awareness
Doing good together, last week saw us celebrate the one-year anniversary of The Fairer Futures Programme with local social enterprise Miss Macaroon. Our groundbreaking partnership programme focused on supporting young people in the West Midlands to overcome barriers to employment.
More than 100 people attended the event at Walsall Town Hall, including Mayor Cllr. Chris Towe, colleagues from Your Co-op and Miss Macaroon, graduates of the programme and multiple local organisations who have supported graduates into work after they’ve finished the scheme.
Doing good together, the programme has successfully supported 18 young people into work
Operating from our Your Co-op Food store in Walsall town centre, The Fairer Futures Programme is open to young people aged 18-30 who are facing challenges in finding long term employment ranging from overcoming social anxiety, the impact of disability or ill health, have been in touch with the criminal justice system, or have issues around childcare.
Since May 2023, the programme has successfully supported 18 young people into work (almost 90% of the participants), including roles at Your Co-op Food, IKEA and South Saffs Water, and are aiming to support another 24 young people into work within the next year with the support of businesses across the UK.
The panel of third-party organisations shed light on the many benefits of The Fairer Future Programme’s holistic approach, with the discussion focused on how helping young people unpick their own specific challenges is the key to empowering them about their potential.
Luke Jordan, a graduate of The Fairer Futures Programme, shared his thoughts with us:
“Before I started the programme I was lacking confidence and I struggled with my social anxiety but taking part in the programme completely changed my life. I haven’t felt this confident in 10 years, it helped me to re-discover myself and build friendships for life.
“The Fairer Futures Programme’s impact is absolutely down to the unwavering support of the people who run it, they are dedicated to building our skills and experience to take into the next chapter of our lives and are constantly there to provide advice and guidance – I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.”
Our CEO, Phil Ponsonby (left) alongside Fairer Future Programme graduates (centre) & Social Enterprise partner, Miss Macaroon (right)
A great example of Doing good together, find out more about the programme here.