What is Bankside Futures?
Bankside Futures is a summer programme for young people aged 16 – 18 who study or live in Southwark. It is designed to help them prepare for the world of work by meeting a range of Bankside businesses and creating a social action project in their community.
Young people will learn about the world of work through tailored workshops, work experience mornings, networking opportunities and mock interviews. Additionally, they will use the skills they have developed to create a social action project about improving some aspect of the Bankside area and present this to friends, family, employers and local businesses at the end of the programme.
Bankside Futures 2024
Over two action-packed weeks in July 2024, 20 young people from eight different schools and colleges participated in Bankside Futures, along with 26 Bankside businesses and 105 enthusiastic volunteers.
Feedback from the young people about the impact of Bankside Futures is very positive:
- 73% feel more confident in their understanding of different career options and job roles
- 73% increased their knowledge of the different avenues available to reach employment
- 67% feel more confident in identifying their strength and potential and applying it to work
- 79% said they felt empowered to create positive change for things that affect them and their community.
- 80% stated they know how to ensure their voice is heard.
“I got an introduction to lots of different career paths that I may not have been able to experience otherwise and I now have a better understanding of the workplace.”
All of the businesses that took part would recommend getting involved in the programme, with benefits of participation including increased team engagement and morale, networking with other local businesses, raising awareness of their organisation and industry among young people and making them proud to be part of the Bankside community.
“It was lovely to see how passionate and inquisitive the young people were. I was so impressed by some of their questions, their confidence and professionalism. It was also really interesting to meet other local businesses and people who work in completely different fields and have different backgrounds.”
Bankside Futures will be back in 2025.
Do you work for a Bankside business and want to participate in Bankside Futures 2025, or find other similar local opportunities to help young people learn about the world of work? Get in touch with Rachel Nicholson.
