About Future First
Future First is a grassroots initiative working to empower young people who are at or have recently studied at a state school. Future First works with schools to build networks of former students to advise, inform and inspire current students about their future prospects.
The concept of alumni networks isn't new. Some communities have used them successfully for generations, giving young people access to career networks, guidance and opportunities. But this personal, informal, face-to-face form of careers support and advice is virtually non-existent within the UK state school system. Too many young people rely on impersonal and infrequent careers guidance and lack aspirational yet realistic role models who can provide practical advice.
Future First works with schools to create individually tailored, community-based answers to these challenges. We complement the existing careers provision and add an extra dimension to it.
Simple, cheap and replicable, the networks Future First builds are sustainable models able to work in any school, anywhere, turning institutions into community centres to increase social mobility and empower young individuals to prepare for their futures.
The Future First Philosophy:
The lack of social mobility we see in the UK is limiting to individual options and potential. It prevents people from fulfilling their potential and so harms wider society.
Research shows that far too few of those at the top of leading professions were educated at state schools. This is coupled with research showing that young people in state schools still don't feel like they are getting the careers advice they need to reach their ambitions.
At the core of Future First's philosophy is the belief that through more effective careers advice we can enhance social mobility.
We are revolutionising the way careers advice is provided in the state education sector by building alumni networks in schools. These networks vastly improve the careers support provided to young people, widening their horizons, empowering them and equipping them with the knowledge, skills and ideas they need to make the most of every opportunity they find. We are the only organisation in the UK with this approach.
