A Message from Interim CEO, Ayesha Rees: So Much More Than Careers

In this article, Ayesha Rees, our new Interim CEO, shares her thoughts on what makes Futures so much more than careers guidance. She discusses how we're expanding our work to support individuals and communities in meaningful ways.

Read on to find out how we’re making a real difference across the East Midlands.

"When I joined Futures in June this year, I stepped into an organisation with a proud legacy of over 30 years, one rooted in careers guidance. It’s what we’re known for, and rightly so. For years, we’ve helped individuals navigate their journeys, offering expert advice that empowers people to make informed decisions about their futures. 

But as I’ve come to learn, Futures is so much more than that. 

We’re a catalyst for transformation. We deliver training that opens doors, employment support that changes lives, and community programmes that build resilience and opportunity. Whether it’s helping someone re-enter the workforce, guiding a young person toward their first job, or supporting career changers in finding their next chapter, our work is deeply personal and profoundly impactful. 

Our team is passionate, skilled, and driven by a shared purpose: to make a difference. We don’t just advise, we walk alongside people as they take bold steps forward. We tailor our support to meet individual needs, recognising that no two journeys are the same. 

Careers Advice That Builds Futures 

We’ve been delivering NEET (not in education, employment and training) support in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire for over 30 years, helping young people overcome barriers and find their way into education, training or work. 

For the past 13 years, we’ve also supported adults through the National Careers Service, offering impartial, expert guidance across the East Midlands and 11 years in the East of England. 

Careers advice is our foundation, and it continues to be a vital part of how we help people move forward with confidence, but it's not all that we do. 

 Training That Breaks Down Barriers 

One of the most powerful ways we support our customers is through our ASF-funded training courses. These programmes are designed specifically for individuals who face significant barriers to employment, whether that’s due to health challenges, low confidence, limited qualifications, or past negative experiences with education. 

Our offer is inclusive, flexible, and deeply supportive. Learners benefit from tutor-led online courses, rolling enrolment options, and a suite of qualifications that build both technical and soft skills.  Sector-specific training in areas like customer service to autism awareness, our curriculum is built around real employer needs and learner aspirations. 

We don’t stop at qualifications. Our wraparound support includes careers information, advice and guidance (CIAG), structured inductions, and exit planning. We help learners explore career pathways, engage with employers, and build the confidence they need to succeed. Our classroom delivery is intentionally non-traditional, designed to be welcoming, empowering, and accessible to those who may have felt excluded in the past. 

This is more than training. It’s transformation. And it’s central to our mission of helping people, businesses, and communities achieve more. 

Targeted Employment Support That Changes Lives 

At Futures, we’re proud of our commitment to supporting those who face the most significant barriers to education, employment, and training. Our targeted support services are designed for vulnerable young people and adults, those furthest from the labour market and often dealing with complex challenges. 

We work with care leavers, refugees, people with long-term health conditions, and individuals experiencing economic inactivity. Through programmes like Transform Your Future, work with care leavers, and our support services for families and young people with Special Educational Needs, we offer personalised pathways that build life skills, boost confidence, and connect people to sustainable employment opportunities. 

This work is deeply embedded in our values and our social purpose. It’s not just about helping people find jobs, it’s about helping them find stability, dignity, and hope. We collaborate with local councils, health boards, and community organisations to ensure our support is holistic and responsive to local needs. And we’re proud to be shaping inclusive growth strategies that tackle deprivation and promote social mobility across the East Midlands. 

Our targeted support is a cornerstone of our delivery model. It reflects our belief that everyone deserves the chance to thrive, no matter their starting point."