The Rigby Foundation Launches Inspiring Futures

We are delighted to announce the official launch of The Rigby Foundation's Inspiring Futures Programme, a ground-breaking social mobility project aimed at 11- to 25-year-olds from low-income backgrounds in the West Midlands. This is being launched as part of the Rigby Groups 50th anniversary activities.

According to a recent report by Action for Children, 46.4% of children in the West Midlands live in poverty. The Rigby Foundation is committed to funding programs which help the region’s young people to succeed in education and secure meaningful employment.

Inspiring Futures’ is the result of many months of research, meetings with more than 30 potential charity partners, and mapping the secondary school systems alongside Birmingham City Council. It is our hope that our funding of this programme will allow disadvantaged, young people in Birmingham to strive and succeed in education, and to go on to sustainable and meaningful careers.

The programme pairs ten schools and colleges from the city with ten leading charities who will provide support with activities like Maths and English attainment, mental health, debating skills and preparing for higher education and employment.

The commitment aims to help more than 1,000 pupils per year to achieve goals and aspirations that otherwise could not be attained. We are focused on nurturing and supporting our region’s young people into work. That starts with a good education, and we hope by bringing together schools, colleges, and charities, we can raise the aspirations of our city’s students.”

We will be working alongside the WMCA and Birmingham City Council, the Foundation will offer £1 million per year (for three years) of support.

We will share more news in the coming months.