Post on 26-May-2015
Confederation of Heads of Young People’s Services Annual Convention 2012Tuesday November 6th
Dominic Cotton, Director of Communications and Business Development, UK Youth
Unlocking Business
Over 100 years of innovative youth work to support the changing needs of young people
We reach nearly 800,000 young people a year through our direct work and our network of National & regional youth associations
Introduction to UK Youth
Because of our history we:Are TRUSTED to represent and protect young people’s interests and needs Have a history of responding to changing funding climatesUnderstand that business can bring vital SKILLS & APPEAL
UK Youth working with Business
• O2 Think Big• Barclays Money Skills ‘Champions’• UPS Road Code• Starbucks Youth Action• Microsoft IT Youth Hubs
Corporate Supported Programmes:
• B&Q, NNL, Canary Wharf Group, AccentureCorporate Friends & Partners
• A government funded partnership project designed to break down barriers between businesses and the youth sector
• Primary aim is to promote the idea of mutually beneficial partnerships and bring about new ones
What is United Futures?
Partners
• National Council of Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS)• The Regional Youth Work Units (RYWU’s)• Ambition (formerly Clubs for Young People)
Supporting partners
• BCSC (British Council of Shopping Centre’s), HSBC, Land Securities, 02, Samsung, Starbucks & Visa Europe
Corporate supporters (e.g.s)
• Consultation & research • Plymouth pilot based on BITC cluster model • Promotion & regional events• ‘Working with Business’ new guide
The story so far
• Activity is not widespread & lacks structure • Clear link between employer engagement & a reduction
in YP’s likelihood of becoming ‘NEET’• Evidence to build both a ‘social’ & ‘business’ case for
more engagement• Key barrier is the recognised lack of awareness of each
other’s needs & capabilities
Research
•21.9% of 16-24 yr olds are unemployed•26% of young people classified as NEET have no experience of employer engagement•Local authority youth services in England are being cut by £100m
The Social Case
Business agreed they can best support via a combination of expertise & financial backing•Develop existing & future workforce•Increase brand value & reputation•Improve community relations & recognition•Financial & operational gains
The Business Case
Continuum of employer engagement with yp
Direct support to YP Indirect support to YP
Governance &
management
In-kind donations
Financial support
Volunteering Work exp.
Activities with
young people
Training &
expertise
• Music Fusion & Jobsite Volunteers, mentors, in-kind donations
• Mazars & The Works Skatepark Pro bono advice, led to governance
• GSS Architecture & Bilton Youth ClubPro bono expertise to develop facilities
Best Practice Case studies
• Launched April 2012 for 3 years• 5 new partnerships via a broker• Royal Mail/Young Devon – Training & paid work
experience scheme• Ginsters/YMCA – workplace visits, employee
volunteering/governance• Amey/Routeways – Mentoring/apprenticeships
Futures Club Pilot (Plymouth)
• All 9 English regions (4 coming up)• Speed-matching 20:20 youth/business• Guided conversations using questionnaires to decide if
there is scope to work together• At last event 89% of attendees said they met someone
they are interested in working with • 3 follow-up events planned
Regional Events
‘Working with Business’ new guide
• Published 2 versions October 2012
• Practical guide to help prepare an approach to potential business partners
• Interactive workbook exercises available to download
• Partnership starting between OAYP & Sanctuary Housing in Midlands
• Multiple youth projects in Birmingham, S.Yorkshire & Leeds to receive employer support via BITC Give & Gain Day
• NCB evaluation will collate & evaluate successes
Further progress
How to get involved
Social Media @United_Futures @UKYouthFacebook.com/UnitedFutures
Webinars http://www.linqto.com/rooms/unitedfutures
Resources www.united-futures.org.uk
Further info www.ukyouth.org