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Extending our partnership with UK Youth for a third year
21 April 2026
Read time: 6 minutes
At Intact Insurance, we believe resilient communities are built when young people have the confidence, skills and support they need to thrive. That’s why we’re proud to be extending our partnership with UK Youth for a third year, and continuing our work together through the Building Aspirations programme.
After two successful years supporting young people furthest from the job market, this next phase builds on what we know works: trusted youth work, strong local partnerships and real-world connections to employers.
The Building Aspirations programme supports young people aged 18–24 who are not currently in education, employment or training, or who are at risk of becoming so. Many face complex barriers, from low confidence and limited networks, to financial insecurity and a lack of access to personalised support.
Together with UK Youth and local youth organisations, the programme focuses on meeting young people where they are - building confidence, developing practical employability skills, and helping them take positive steps towards work, education or training.
enrolled in the programme.
completed the programme across six youth organisations in the UK.
were awarded, to help young people move forward with their goals.
Those who have participated in the Building Aspirations programme also reported meaningful improvements in confidence and ambition, with the majority feeling more positive about their future, and clearer about the kind of work that might suit them.
As we enter the third year of the partnership, Building Aspirations continues to grow. Having launched in Manchester and Liverpool, and expanded to Halifax and Leeds in year two, the programme will reach London for the first time in 2026. This expansion will enable many more young people to access the tailored support they need in communities where opportunity can feel out of reach.
This year also deepens our shared focus on long-term impact: not just helping young people into work, but supporting them to build sustainable, fulfilling careers, and contribute confidently to their communities.
A key part of Building Aspirations is the involvement of our colleagues across the business. Intact Insurance volunteers act as Local Leads, working closely with delivery partners to support local delivery, share insight and help coordinate activity on the ground.
Colleagues also volunteer their time to run employability workshops, mentoring sessions, insight events and scholarship panels - giving young people practical tools and real insight into the world of work.
These connections matter. Over the last two years, four young people have completed paid work experience with Intact Insurance, with three going on to secure ongoing roles with us.
For many participants, the impact of Building Aspirations goes well beyond CVs or interview skills. It’s about building belief. The combination of practical support and trusted relationships is what makes youth work such a powerful force for change, and why we continue to invest in it.
It felt good knowing I’m not the only one who struggles with perfectionism. The programme helped me realise there are things I can work on. The Ikigai activity really helped me understand what kind of career might suit me – something hands-on, creative and active.
Building Aspirations participant living with PTSD and anxiety
At a time when youth unemployment remains stubbornly high and too many young people feel locked out of opportunity, partnerships like this are more important than ever. Building Aspirations shows the power of youth work to unlock potential — equipping young people with the confidence, skills and belief they need to build meaningful careers. We are proud to continue working with Intact Insurance to ensure even more young people can access this support.
Vicky Chenery, Director of Fundraising at UK Youth
By extending our partnership with UK Youth, we’re reaffirming our commitment to helping young people flourish and to building stronger, more resilient communities across the UK.
As we look ahead to year three, we’re excited to build on the momentum of the past two years. Working alongside youth organisations, employers and communities to ensure more young people have the opportunity, confidence and support to shape their own futures.
Resilient communities are built when young people have the confidence and support to take their next step into work, education or training. Through Building Aspirations, we’re helping talent flourish, strengthening local economies and giving young people the tools to thrive—wherever they live. We’re delighted to continue our partnership with UK Youth, investing in youth-work and empowering young people with real-world skills to achieve their potential.
Sarah Mantle-Gray, Chief Human Resources Officer at Intact Insurance
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SEO and Web Content Manager
Article by:
SEO and Web Content Manager
Carmen is an SEO and Web Content Manager with a specialism in clear, compelling copywriting. She’s skilled at transforming complex insurance topics into engaging, easy‑to‑digest content that helps users make confident decisions.
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