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