In February 2025, LandAid awarded a grant to Circle Collective to support the charity to continue delivering its Back Your Future employability programme. Using this funding, the charity aims to engage 10 unemployed Lewisham residents between the ages of 16 and 25, guiding them through the six-week programme with the goal of securing employment for at least five young people. Young people from the local community will be recruited to join the programme, with support provided at Circle Collective’s Lewisham site.
Young people will receive 8 hours per week of customer service training and hands-on work experience in Circle Collective’s streetwear retail store as part of a six-week employability programme. This experience helps boost their confidence, strengthens their CV, and prepares them to answer common interview questions. Additionally, they will receive a reference from Circle Collective to share with future employers.
Each young person will work closely with a dedicated Job Coach to complete the following: a CV and cover letter workshop, a confidence-building session, interview skills training, financial support through a Level 1 personal budgeting qualification provided by MyBnk, two wellbeing sessions with a qualified yoga and wellbeing practitioner, weekly one-to-one check-ins, monthly corporate insight sessions, and a weekly Job Club sessions for job application support.