Since 2019, EveryYouth and Hays have worked together with one shared ambition: to help young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness overcome barriers to employment and build independent futures.
Over the past six years, that partnership has grown into something incredible.
At a time when youth homelessness and youth unemployment have continued to rise, Hays has remained committed to young people, recently surpassing a fantastic milestone of raising over £500,000 to support EveryYouth and EveryYouth’s employability programmes.
This achievement represents far more than a fundraising total. It represents thousands of young people being given the opportunity to rebuild their confidence, develop new skills and take the next step towards independence.
Faye Wilson, Head of Fundraising and Communications at EveryYouth, said:
“In the world of fundraising and corporate partnerships, you hope to win a partnership that usually lasts 2 or 3 years. But Hays committed to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of young people experiencing homelessness and our partnership has evolved into something wonderful as a result. I hope Hays, and all the fantastic colleagues who have contributed to raising £500,000 know how their hard work and dedication is changing young lives. Thank you to everyone who has supported EveryYouth so generously.”
Reaching the £500,000 milestone has only been possible because of the passion, creativity and generosity of Hays colleagues.
From bake sales and quiz nights to Christmas carol singing, taking part in EveryYouth’s Sleep Out events, running events including the Royal Parks Half Marathon and Manchester Marathon, and Summer Challenges, colleagues across Hays have continually gone above and beyond to support young people facing homelessness.
Every event organised, every mile completed and every pound raised has helped remove barriers preventing young people from reaching their potential.
Karen Young, Director at Hays, said:
“It has been an absolute pleasure to build this partnership together and what an achievement for both Hays and EveryYouth. Reaching £500,000 is a fantastic milestone, but what matters most is what sits behind that number: the lives changed, opportunities created, and futures shaped. Throughout the challenges of the Covid pandemic, we looked for new and different ways to make a difference at a time when everything was so difficult, and to move our charity partnership beyond purely fundraising.
That journey led to the creation of Project Flourish, thanks to the passion, innovation and commitment of people including Jamie Houlders at Hays, Michelle Blackburn at EveryYouth and many others. Together we’ve build something that goes far beyond a traditional corporate charity partnership. Thank you to everyone at EveryYouth for embracing a true spirit of collaboration. At Hays, partnership is at the heart of what we do, and we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.”
In 2019, our partnership focused on EveryYouth’s employability programme. Hays came on board, recognising that, for many young people experiencing homelessness, finding work isn’t simply about applying for jobs. They are often faced with multiple barriers that make securing and sustaining employment significantly more difficult.
Some of the key challenges include:
EveryYouth believes that talent is everywhere, but opportunities are few and far between. That’s why our employability programmes focus on removing these practical barriers so young people can focus on building long-term careers. Hays helped us deliver that.
In 2023, EveryYouth and Hays took the partnership one step further by launching Project Flourish, a pioneering employability programme that creates dedicated employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people.
Project Flourish exists to remove the barriers that prevent young people from entering and sustaining employment through personalised job coaching, practical financial support, mentoring and continued development opportunities.
Since launching, Project Flourish has continued to expand. Working in partnership with Hays and EveryYouth’s Network of Delivery Partners, the programme now supports young people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to identify and secure permanent job roles.
Today:
Alongside employment opportunities, young people can access a bespoke version of Hays’ Learning Management System, providing more than 1,000 online courses covering health and wellbeing, employability, industry training and professional skills.
Additionally, young people employed through the programme can access wraparound support including: financial support through the Hays Super Boost to help cover travel, work clothing, specialist equipment and rent deposits and money management advice from FinWELL.
By working closely with Hays and EveryYouth, employers also receive guidance on supporting young people who may have experienced trauma or homelessness, helping them create psychologically informed workplaces where confidence, resilience and long-term careers can flourish.
Michelle Blackburn, Project Flourish Lead at EveryYouth, said:
“The response from employers has been fantastic. Over the last couple of years, we have been able to work collaboratively with Hays and their business partners to create inclusive opportunities and processes which increase access to employment for young people at risk of homelessness. This, coupled with personalised wraparound support, a bursary of up to £2,050 per person and work place mentors has really helped them to succeed in their roles. We have already placed 62 young people in new roles and hope to replicate and expand on this success in the future.”
This collaborative approach benefits everyone. Young people gain stable employment and supportive workplaces, while employers access motivated, talented individuals whilst strengthening their own commitment to social impact.
The challenges facing young people today remain significant, but the partnership with Hays proves that lasting change is possible.
To every Hays colleague who has baked, quizzed, run, walked, sung, slept out, volunteered or donated over the last six years – thank you.
Together, we’ve raised over £500,000, helped remove barriers to employment and created opportunities for young people to build independent futures.
We can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together next.
