celebrating bailey's actes trust success story

22/04/2026

A young person from Middlesbrough is on the path to employment after gaining confidence, experience and practical skills through tailored support from MYM Futures. Bailey’s journey shows how the right guidance, combined with real‑world opportunities, can help turn motivation into meaningful progress.

Bailey was referred to MYM Futures through Jobcentre Plus in November 2025. At the time, he was not in education, employment or training (NEET). Bailey had previously completed a supported internship with Middlesbrough College and was keen to build on what he had already achieved by gaining further experience and moving closer to employment. While motivated to progress, finding suitable roles and navigating application processes presented challenges, and Bailey required practical, tailored support to help him move forward.

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Support began with working alongside Bailey to prepare a personal statement that clearly reflected his career interests and previous experience. This helped Bailey feel more confident when expressing interest in volunteering opportunities. A CV was then developed, providing him with a structured and accessible starting point for applying for roles.

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Bailey was then supported through the application process for the KFC Hatch Project. With guidance at each stage, Bailey successfully secured a place on the programme. This marked an important step in his journey, offering a structured opportunity to gain paid experience within a professional working environment.

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To ensure Bailey was fully prepared, practical support was provided ahead of his start date. This included planning his journey to the KFC hub, identifying appropriate bus routes and regular check‑ins to build confidence, enabling Bailey to attend independently on his first day.

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Bailey began the KFC Hatch Project on 10 February 2026, which included a four‑week paid work placement at FareShare, where Bailey undertook the role of Warehouse Operative. In this role, Bailey was responsible for picking goods and loading pallets with food parcels for distribution to eco‑shops and frontline charities. He engaged extremely well with the placement, demonstrating commitment, reliability and a strong work ethic throughout.

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Through supported reflection, Bailey identified that he was now able to manage long working days and particularly enjoyed practical, hands‑on tasks within the warehouse environment, such as wrapping food parcels. He also recognised that being in work had helped him to meet new people and build confidence interacting in a workplace setting.

When the paid placement came to an end, Bailey chose to continue volunteering at FareShare. His decision reflects the positive experience he gained during the placement and his motivation to continue developing his skills. Bailey’s ongoing commitment and reliability have been recognised by the employer, who is keen for him to progress further through the Youth Trailblazer programme.

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Bailey’s journey is a strong example of how personalised employability support, combined with real‑world opportunities, can help young people overcome barriers, build confidence and take meaningful steps towards sustained employment.