Creating a Fairer Future - International Youth Day
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Published 12 Aug 2025 in Raising Awareness
Today, on International Youth Day, we’re celebrating the talent and potential of young people. In Walsall, our Fairer Futures programme is turning that recognition into action, helping over 65 young people overcome barriers to work since May 2023. Watch their fantastic graduate stories...
Commemorated by the United Nations every year, today is all about recognising the talent, resilience, and potential of young people and the value they bring to our society.
In Walsall, our Fairer Futures programme is putting this into practice every single day. By providing direct work experience, mentoring, and often paid opportunities, the initiative – a partnership between us at The Midcounties Co-operative and social enterprise Miss Macaroon – helps young people overcome barriers to work and build the confidence they need to succeed. Since launching in May 2023, more than 65 young people have been supported by the programme.
And just the other week, a group of three graduates from The Fairer Futures Programme took part in a valuable roundtable event we hosted with Miss Macaroon in partnership with West Midlands Combined Authority and Walsall Council.
The Fairer Futures Employer Roundtable explored youth unemployment and health-related economic inactivity
The Fairer Futures Employer Roundtable explored how youth unemployment and health-related economic inactivity in Walsall can and should be tackled, with the panel hearing from Azhar, Leona and Luke who have been through The Fairer Futures Programme and used their lived experience to shape these conversations and agree meaningful next steps.
Other participants of the event included representatives from local businesses and organisations such as Walsall College, Vine Trust Group, Atkins Realis, Severn Trent, Walsall FC Foundation, and Walsall Housing Group.
Together, we discussed practical steps towards reducing youth unemployment in Walsall and forging fairer, more accessible routes into work. Commitments included addressing barriers to employment and generating work experience opportunities for local young people. We also touched on taster days, work experience placements, mentorship, flexible start expectations, and regular check-ins supporting inclusive recruitment and improved retention levels for employers.
Members of the Fairer Futures Programme, including colleagues Store Manager, Helen Taylor (fourth from left), Phil Ponsonby, CEO (centre), Tarra Simmons (Head of Community and Democratic Engagement) (fourth from right)
Azhar, Customer Service Assistant at The Midcounties Co-operative and Fairer Futures graduate, said: “Support at work helped me grow. Knowing that I had time and space to speak at work if I was stressed out helped me to learn the job and become more confident.”
As a co-operative, we’re passionate about making genuine changes to ensure our society is as fair and equal as possible for everyone, including young people and generations to come. As part of this, we’re proud of The Fairer Futures Programme and the difference it continues to make in Walsall. And we couldn’t do this without the continued contribution of our members and colleagues – your support doesn’t go unnoticed!