News

Category: ST Thinks

Illustration showing a man climbing up some colourful steps

The overlooked NEETs: the policy gap we can no longer ignore 

10/03/2026

Authored by Julie Leonard, Chief Impact Officer at Shaw Trust. Julie has extensive experience working with local and central government to design and deliver programmes that drive social-economic impact. She leads on impact reporting and strategy at Shaw Trust, and oversees the Shaw Trust Foundation. This piece was originally published in The MJ.The current pictureThe weekly headlines on the rising NEET numbers show the need for bolder solutions. We talk of a million young people “falling through the cracks”. Within that group is a rising subset that current policy considerations and investment are unlikely to reach. Yes, removing the minimum wage rises will help

Two people in wheel chairs smiling

£50,000 awarded to Back Up in participatory grant pilot

12/02/2026

We’re pleased to award our first participatory grant of £50,000 to Back Up, a national charity helping people get their lives back on track after a spinal cord injury.About the projectReturning to work after a spinal cord injury can be a significant challenge. Many people don’t receive specialist vocational guidance until long after they have left hospital. This often results in a loss of confidence and a belief that employment may no longer be achievable. Earlier access to tailored support

Woman smiling wearing business attire

Shaw Trust appoints first Chief Data and Technology Officer

04/02/2026

Dr Jude Threlfall-Sykes, PhD has been appointed as Shaw Trust’s first Chief Data and Technology Officer.Jude joined Shaw Trust in November 2024 as Director of Technology, where she has led improvements to digital infrastructure and systems across the organisation. She brings a breadth of experience from across the sector, having previously worked at organisations including the charity Change Grow Live and the NHS.Her appointment to this newly created Chief Officer role reflects the critical importance of data and technology in

Colourful image of people gathered together. Some are sitting and talking, others are on devices, and others are climbing stairs and ladders to show progress.

Supporting over a quarter of a million people: our impact in 2024-25

26/01/2026

Between September 2024 to August 2025, we helped over 270,000 people to access and stay in good work. Read our impact report.  Our highlights in numbers   49,179 people joined our employment, health and wellbeing programmes. – 59% of  our  Individual  Placement  Support  (IPS)  participants  who  started  employment  were  still  working  six  months  later. – 81% of  people  on  our  social  prescribing  programmes, including WorkWell, improved  their wellbeing.  103,861 people learned new skills and progressed in their career journeys.  – 25% of the

Not Generation its time to end the NEET crisis

Our new campaign warns of growing ‘Not Generation’ as we invest £2m in youth pilot project – Who are the ‘Not Generation’?

19/11/2025

Our #NotGeneration campaign has launched on 19 November 2025, raising awareness of the growing number of young people who aren’t earning or learning. Labelled ‘NEET’ – not in education, employment or training – they’re known for what they’re not doing, and are at risk of becoming the ‘Not Generation’.

Connect to Work illustration

Connect to Work… Six months in!

25/09/2025

What does it really take to get Connect to Work off the ground and delivering impact quickly? Working with West London Alliance (WLA), we’ve been leading the way with the first Connect to Work programme to launch. We’re now six months in, and we’re already proving what’s possible with hundreds of people (and counting) joining the programme. This means more people starting and staying in work, improving their wellbeing and earning.As the UK’s largest IPS provider outside the NHS, we

Shaw Education Trust

A new chapter for Shaw Education Trust

08/09/2025

In 2014, Shaw Trust backed the creation of a new kind of education trust that could drive real change across schools and local communities.

Fast forward 11 years and Shaw Education Trust (SET) is now a multi-academy trust managing 31 schools, making a measurable difference to thousands of young people.

Supply Chain Partnership

Shaw Trust awarded ‘outstanding’ in new Supply Chain Partnership Standard 

10/07/2025

Shaw Trust has received the highest possible rating of ‘outstanding’ in the new Supply Chain Partnership Standard.We’re the first to be accredited under this updated national benchmark, which replaces the Merlin Standard. The new framework sets a high bar for excellence in supply chain management, recognising organisations that work in true partnership, operate transparently, and deliver social value.On issuing the accreditation, Richard Adkins, Systems and Finance Director, from awarding body Assessment Services Ltd, said:“Shaw Trust has set the bar high