News Bankside Futures’ success: inspiring young people for the world of work

Bankside Futures’ success: inspiring young people for the world of work

  • Date Monday, 25 September 2023
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Rachel Nicholson

In August, Better Bankside partnered with Southwark-based charity Sculpt to run Bankside Futures, a summer programme for local young people aged 16-18 years old, designed to get them ready for the world of work by meeting a range of employers, developing employability skills and creating a social action project for the Bankside community.

Young people were supported by a wide range of Bankside businesses, who ran tailored training workshops, career spotlights, a speed networking event and mini-mock interviews. In total, over 20 Bankside businesses supported the programme, with 51 volunteers getting involved.

The young people also developed a creative and innovative social action campaign about an issue they identified as being important – air quality in the Bankside area.

The programme engaged eight young people over the two-week programme, and:

  • 100% of young people increased their confidence in understanding different career options and job roles
  • 100% of young people increased their confidence in identifying and applying their strengths and potential to work
  • 100% of  young people increased their confidence in presentation skills
  • 100% of young people increased their confidence in creating social change projects

“The most important takeaway [for me] is that my future isn’t set in stone, and I shouldn’t be afraid to go out of my comfort zone” said one of the young people at the end of the programme.

The young people proudly shared their social action campaign at an end-of-programme event, hosted by the Blue Fin Building with support from the Fora events team, and celebrated their achievements with friends, family, businesses, and volunteers.

The businesses that supported the project all said they were proud to take part in the project and commented on how the young people who attended were so engaged and asked such insightful questions.

“It’s a great programme and it was an honour to take part in it, and help young people with their employability.” Bankside business volunteer.

If you’d like to find out more about Bankside Futures and other ways your business can help local young people learn about the world of work, please get in touch with Rachel Nicholson, Responsible Business & Inclusion Manager: rn@betterbankside.co.uk