Futures & Findings: Discover our Impact Story (Q2 25/26)
- Futures For All
- Mar 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 11
All data tells a story. At Futures For All, that story could take many shapes for a young person: discovering the clear route to their dream job through Work Experience, building confidence in their leadership skills, or perhaps feeling inspired to explore new horizons after a talk from someone in our Speaker for Schools network.
As we wrap up the second quarter of the academic year (December to February), we are excited to launch the Futures & Findings, our impact highlights blog. Each quarter, we will share the numbers that defined our work and some of the stories behind them.
For more stories of impact:
Our Reach
In the second quarter of the 25/26 Academic Year, we reached 31,337 young people through our Work Experience and Speakers for Schools Programmes.
In Q2, we saw:
3,161 Young people experiencing the world of work
46 Opportunities delivered by our partner employers
28,176 Young people reached by an inspirational talk
157 Speakers giving 187 horizon-widening talks
Our Impact
For both our Work Experience and Speakers for Schools Programmes we use surveys to gather feedback and track outcomes for young people. Here are just a few of the impressive data points from this last quarter.
Work Experience Programme
By taking part in our Work Experience programme, young people build confidence and essential skills through direct interactions with employers.
This quarter, young people took part in a wide range of placements across different sectors, including opportunities with National Trust, DEFRA, Living Well UK, Clearbox Communications and Kainos.
Highlights from the data show that our placements left participants feeling empowered to achieve their goals and better informed about both their personal strengths and the specific skills needed for their future careers.
91% of participants were confident they could achieve their career ambitions after their work experience.
Over 4 in 5 participants felt well-informed about the skills and qualifications needed to work in their chosen industry.
compared to 2 in 5 pre-placement
93% of participants said taking part in their work experience left them better informed about their own skills and how to improve.
Using the Skills Builder Framework, we track how industry interactions translate into the essential competencies required for the world of work. In Q2:
98% of young people developed their Listening skills
55% to ‘a great extent’
89% of young people developed their Problem Solving skills
43% to ‘a great extent’
83% of young people developed their Teamwork skills
48% to ‘a great extent’
What did young people say?
“The best part of the placement was learning how digital technology and artificial intelligence are used in the automotive industry. I particularly enjoyed the project work because it helped me apply my problem-solving and creativity skills to a real-world scenario. I also found it useful to understand how professionals approach innovation, as it gave me a clearer idea of potential career pathways in technology and automotive sectors.”
Work Experience attendee
“I enjoyed the course as it involved gaining valuable knowledge from the speakers and enhancing my skills. It has made me more curious to know about the pathways to different careers and the group discussions helped us work as a team. I found the role of Student Nurse Associate Apprentice really interesting as I am looking for job roles/ future pathways in that area.”
Work Experience attendee
Discovering Compassionate Careers with St Columba's Hospice Care
In January, a group of young people joined St Columba's Hospice Care to get a real-world look into the field of palliative care. They explored the diverse and essential roles required to provide exceptional support to patients and their families.
After completing the three-day online placement, 100% of the participants reported they could now make a fully informed decision about pursuing a career in the industry.
The team at St Columba's Hospice found the experience incredibly rewarding, with the engagement and enthusiasm from the young people being a particular highlight:
“We saw students grow in confidence, challenge misconceptions about hospice care, and gain a deeper understanding of the compassion and skill at the heart of our work. It was inspiring to see them participate so openly, ask thoughtful questions, and leave with a clearer sense of how they can contribute to future healthcare.”
Speakers for Schools Programme
This quarter, our network brought world-class leadership directly to students. Including Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE, Director of the British Museum and Peter Sparkes, CEO of RNLI.
We also celebrated Entrepreneur Week, featuring insights from trailblazers like John Roberts, Founder and CEO of AO; Tom Bloxham CBE MBE, Founder and Chair of Urban Splash; Nicola Stopps, CEO and Founder of Simply Sustainable; and Bill Holroyd CBE DL, Founder of OnSide Youth Zones.
The data from Q2 paints a clear picture of how our Speakers for Schools Programme is broadening horizons and challenging perceptions. By bringing industry leaders into the classroom, we are ensuring that high-quality career insights reach those who need them most while sparking significant shifts in how young people view their futures.
33% of Talks took place in schools classed as ‘High’ or ‘Very High’ need.
More than 1 in 7 young people reported that the talk made them actively change their future career goals to some degree.
78% of young people agreed that they gained more insight into a sector/job they had no previous knowledge of.
What did young people say?
“How inspirational and motivational it was to hear from someone with a background very similar to my own who was able to start and sell an eight figure business.”
Speakers for Schools Talk attendee
“I enjoyed the new content I learned and his amazing approach to telling us about it. He was very knowledgeable and helped me feel more confident in myself and my abilities.”
Speakers for Schools Talk attendee
YouTube MD Inspires Future Leaders in Liverpool
In January, students at Bellerive FCJ Catholic College took part in an exclusive Q&A session with Alison Lomax, the Managing Director of YouTube UK & Ireland.
The session provided a unique opportunity for students to learn what it takes from one of the tech industry’s most prominent leaders, with one student commenting that Alison's “enthusiasm and passion radiated into the audience.”
Building on the session, a small group of students have been selected to visit YouTube’s London head office with Alison, demonstrating her dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for young people.
The Deputy Head of Bellerive FCJ noted the profound effect the encounter had on the students’ outlook: “Students came away energised and motivated, with a genuine belief that if you work hard, develop your skills and dare to chase your dreams, anything is possible.”
Inspired by these numbers?
Be a part of the impact by offering life-changing work experience or sharing your story as a speaker, and read more about the impact of our programmes here.
Discover Speakers for Schools: https://www.futuresforall.org/speakers-for-schools
Explore Work Experience: https://finder.futuresforall.org
