Sam Smith

Founder @Genuine Futures

I founded Genuine Futures to do what the system couldn’t: provide real opportunity, hope, and direction to young people who feel like the world has given up on them — because I was once one of them.We support 15–24-year-olds who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) — especially those with lived experience of: • School exclusion • Youth justice and care systems • Trauma, grief, and disconnectionThrough motivational speaking, trauma-informed mentoring, enterprise education, and hands-on programmes, we help young people to: • Rebuild confidence and self-worth • Gain skills and practical experience • Start businesses or secure meaningful employment • Break cycles of reoffending, poverty, and social isolationOur initiatives include partnerships with local authorities, schools, PRUs, and social enterprises,Every programme we run is rooted in lived experience — designed by someone who’s walked the path, and now walks alongside those still on it.