Help young people see the full range of possibilities
Too many children grow up with a limited view of work – shaped by what they see at home, at school or in their community. It restricts what they think they can do and who they think they can be. As a result we have high levels of young people Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET).
Your donation helps change that. It enables children to meet volunteers from every kind of workplace. It shows young people the diversity of options available, breaks role stereotyping and gives direction and hope.
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Why your support matters
For many children, ideas about work form early. They might think some jobs are only for certain types of people, or that people like them don’t belong in certain careers.
Meeting volunteers changes that. When a child hears from a female aircraft engineer whose career advice was such jobs weren’t for girls, or a scientist who left school before returning to study, something clicks. It challenges stereotypes. Hearing first-hand from role models breaks preconceived ideas – there are no set routes into work, and no set rules about who can do what job.
Your support makes those moments happen – moments when children see new possibilities, start to think differently and begin to get excited about the future.
Watch Redraw the Balance – our short film that shows how early stereotypes can shape children’s ideas about careers and why diverse role models matter.
What your donation makes possible
Your support helps children hear first-hand from people in real jobs – helping them connect what they’re learning to future careers and dreams.
Every child in the UK, wherever they live and whatever their background, should have the chance to:
- Learn about a diverse range of jobs
eg. from mechanical engineers and scientists to stunt coordinators, stonemasons, animators and codebreakers - Find out about different sectors (and with that, a new passion)
eg. maritime, craft, aviation, banking, tourism etc - Meet inspiring role models who dispel myths
eg. girls/boys can’t do that job, maths is essential to work in banking - Discover the variety of routes into work
eg. apprenticeships, university, starting your own business - Be more informed – about all the choices and opportunities available
We don’t charge schools for any of our services. We rely on donations, charitable grants and sponsorship to fund our work.
Your gift helps children understand the variety of careers and options that exist for them. This gives them purpose, enthusiasm, a drive to do better in their exams, and ultimately a better chance of a fulfilling career – whatever that looks like.
Donate NowThe difference your donation makes
Our research* shows that when children meet volunteers from the world of work, it helps them to:
- Raise aspirations and widen career understanding
- Improves their motivation and attitude to learning
- Increase attainment at GCSE
- Challenge ingrained gender, ethnic and social stereotypes
- Boost future earning potential
- Reduce the likelihood of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
*Research sources: Drawing the Future, Education and Employers (2018); Motivated to Achieve, Education and Employers (2020)
Watch this ITV News report to see how we connect children to volunteers beyond their immediate networks.
Real impact, at scale
- Over 4.75 million interactions to date between children and workplace volunteers
- 80% of secondary schools and 20% of primary schools are signed up
- 100% of schools would recommend our programmes
Teacher voice:
“Our students met volunteers from industries they never knew existed. It changed how they think about learning – and what’s possible.”
Student voice:
“I didn’t know someone like me could do that job until today.”
Where your donation goes
We keep overheads low and focus investment where it matters most – reaching children who otherwise have limited access to role models.
Your donation supports:
Programme delivery in schools across the UK
- both virtual and in person events organised and delivered by our small team
- 1-2-1 support for teachers/career leads to deliver their own activities in school
- supplementary teaching aids, lesson plans and videos
- training for teachers themed to Government requirements, sector themes, inspiration or system use
- ensuring a diverse mix of workplace volunteers for schools to join up with on activities
Technology that connects schools and volunteers, all delivered through Salesforce
Research that ensures everything we do has measurable impact
We are transparent about how every pound is spent and committed to delivering the greatest possible impact for children.
Trusts, Foundations and Corporate Supporters
If you are interested in working with us, please contact Nick Chambers, CEO nick.chambers@educationandemployers.org
Some of our partners and supporters:
Other ways to get involved
Not ready to donate? There are other really important ways you can make a difference!
Become a volunteer – just giving one hour per year makes a big impact. It’s not only great for children, it’s a brilliant experience, you see immediate impact, get to meet other interesting people and develop new skills.
Share our work with your employer – see how they can get involved, either £financially or making a difference through employees volunteering.
Share what we do with your local school – we work with primary and secondary schools and colleges. By joining our highly-successful Inspiring the Future programme, they get direct access to over 90,000 volunteers from the workplace, our platform to organise events and activities, support from our team, training and lots of assets for use in lessons.
Host a fundraising event – we’re a small charity, so any money you raise will make a huge difference.