The number of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) has risen by 23% in the last 2 years. The traditional Job Centre Plus model is not working. Change is needed to help get the next generation of young people kick started in to great careers.

In this episode, Mary Rose speaks to the CEO of Youth Employment charity RISE UP. RISE UP are taking action by coaching and mentoring young people to conduct their own job search; facilitating jobs, apprenticeships and work experience placements. The results speak for themselves. Since its inception, RISEUP has offered over 800 hours of 1:1 coaching, facilitated 89 impactful work placements, and supported an incredible 818 young people toward brighter futures.

Having left school at just 14, Roman knows exactly what the young people he is working with are up against.

Listen to find out what Roman thinks are the biggest barriers to employment for young people, and how we can be the change we need to see.

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Youth crime and violence in the UK is increasing at an alarming rate, at large part due to £1billion in cuts to youth services between 2010 and 2019. Children and young people have been abandoned by the system in many places. Charitable organisations have have had to take matters in to their own hands.

In this episode Mary Rose speaks to founder of the London Basketball Association (LBA) Tony Lazare. LBA supports 4000 young people aged 11 to 24 each year across five London boroughs. Operating on an annual income of just £265k, the social savings from their impact are estimated at £18 million

Using basketball as its primary engagement tool, LBA offers opportunities to become accredited as a basketball coach or official, building employability and life skills. Since LBA was founded in 2012, 913 coaches and officials have been certified.

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Asylum seekers and refugees face disproportionate social exclusion, creating a unwelcoming and lonely experience at a time when what they need more than anything else is our support and companionship.

In this episode Mary Rose speaks to Collette Batten-Turner, founder of Conversations Over Borders, a UK-based organisation supporting forcibly displaced people to share their experiences with the wider public in order to campaign for a fairer UK.

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Conversations Over Borders spark cross-cultural conversations by offering one-to-one online befriending, English classes, mental health support, digital access and inclusion to people fleeing war and persecution who are seeking safety in the UK.

We have more in common than we do dividing us.

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Arctic temperatures have increased 4x faster than the rest of the world in the past decade. Whilst we are beginning to see climate-caused global catastrophe today, it will be our children that shoulder the biggest burden. Wicked Weather Watch (WWW) are giving them the tools to fight back.

Founded by Artic explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams in 2009, WWW helps to transform eco-anxiety into empowerment. By bringing climate change to life for students and teachers through workshops, talks, and conversations with polar explorers, they are turning education into meaningful, carbon-cutting action.

In this episode, Mary Rose speaks to Director of Wicked Weather Watch, Rhianna, about the issues she is tackling and how WWW is making an impact, as well as sharing insights on hiring new board members and the importance of getting it right to help catalyse growth.

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You probably take your access to the digital world for granted, to buy, get home, stay connected. But for many the digital divide, the gap between those who can make full use of our online world, and those who cannot, is a daily concern.

In this episode, Mary Rose speaks to Cat Smith, founder of Community TechAid. Community TechAid reduces the digital divide by providing refurbished tech equipment and digital skills training to those in need, enhancing their access to education, employment, and social connections. They exemplify the successful integration of sustainability and social inclusion.

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The North East of England faces stark challenges, with the highest rate of child poverty in the UK and women 1.7 times more likely to die from poverty-related illnesses compared to the rest of England.

In this episode, Mary Rose Gunn speaks with Louise Jones, founder of Support and Grow North East, an organization established in 2019 to combat the effects of poverty and poor health.

From providing donated food and meals to essential items like nappies and hygiene products, Louise shares the incredible work her team is doing to support those in need and bring hope to communities facing hardship.

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In this episode Mary Rose speaks to Lauren Scott MBE, CEO of Refugees At Home the UK charity that connects refugees with hosts and a safe place to stay.

Under Lauren’s leadership, Refugees at Home has grown to become the UK’s largest independent hosting charity. They have found rooms for more than 5,600 guests from 75 different countries.

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In this episode Mary Rose speaks to George Imafidon, founder of Motivez.

George is an award-winning engineer from Peckham, South London, most recently developing electric cars with TEAM X44, Lewis Hamilton's electric race team.

After seeing the barriers that prevent young people from underrepresented backgrounds from accessing STEM roles, George co-founded Motivez to change this.

George’s dynamic leadership has driven Motivez to the top of their field. Their life-changing mentoring and training for underserved young people is delivered by STEM leaders from companies such as Google and PwC.

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