Empowering People, Creating Value
Futures has made a remarkable difference in the lives of thousands across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, delivering careers advice, training, and targeted employment support between 2022 and 2025. The results speak for themselves: not only have individuals found new jobs and careers, but the region has also seen significant economic and social returns on investment.
Key Outcomes
Employment and Economic Value
Between 2022 and 2025, Futures made a profound impact on Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s communities by offering careers advice, training, and targeted employment support. Over 16,900 individuals benefitted from expert careers guidance, helping them to navigate the complexities of changing job markets and identify opportunities that matched their aspirations. In addition, 4,513 people received targeted assistance designed to address specific barriers to employment, and a further 949 individuals enhanced their skills through dedicated training services.
Futures’ reach extended beyond individuals, with 61 employers actively engaged in collaborations that created pathways into work and contributed to a stronger local economy. As a result of these efforts, participants were able to move into employment or further training, with their achievements generating a remarkable £13 million in savings for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The total value created through both targeted and universal support amounted to another £13 million, demonstrating tangible social and economic benefits for the region.
Perhaps most impressively, for every £1 invested in Futures’ services, £4 in social value was generated. This outcome highlights the organisation’s extraordinary ability to turn financial support into lasting, positive change, not only for individuals and employers, but for the wider Nottinghamshire community. Futures’ commitment to empowering people has proven itself as a catalyst for hope, opportunity, and prosperity.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Through the dedicated support of Futures, individuals across Nottinghamshire experienced a transformative journey that touched not just their employment prospects, but also their overall wellbeing. Many participants found that their levels of depression and anxiety noticeably decreased as they engaged with Futures’ programmes. It was not merely a case of finding work, though the results were impressive, with 59% of learners securing jobs following their involvement, but a deeper change in their outlook and sense of self.
What People Valued Most
- Improved self-worth
- Increased self-awareness
- A sense of hope
One participant shared: “Futures literally gave me a future, pulling me out of the darkness of my past mistakes.”
Another reflected: “After redundancy, I felt low and worthless. Futures helped me rebuild my confidence, and I now work in the NHS, a job I love.”
For many, the true value lay in the more personal outcomes: a stronger sense of self-worth, heightened self-awareness, and the rekindling of hope for the future. As people progressed through the various services offered by Futures, they reported feeling a surge in employability, confidence, and motivation.
A Lasting Legacy
The data and stories from Futures’ work in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire show that investing in people pays dividends, not just in economic terms, but in wellbeing, confidence, and hope for the future.
At Futures, we believe that investing in people transforms lives and communities. The remarkable outcomes we’ve achieved, helping thousands into employment, boosting confidence, and generating millions in social value, are a testament to the power of hope, opportunity, and expert support. Our commitment is to continue empowering individuals across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to build brighter futures for themselves and those around them.
This research was conducted impartially by external independent consultants, Kai-Zen.
