The Shaw Trust Change Project – Social Impact (2026)

The Shaw Trust Change Project, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), delivers targeted support to young people aged 16–24 across North East and West London who are unemployed, economically inactive, or not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The project adopts a holistic approach to address the multiple barriers that young people face in accessing sustainable employment, education, and training pathways. Central to the model is the dedicated Change Maker Mentor, or Journey Guide, who works closely with each participant to assess their needs using a ‘Resilience Compass’ and co-develop an Individualised Progress Plan. This plan sets achievable goals and tracks progress across a range of personal, social, and vocational outcomes. The programme is delivered across five complementary strands:
• Change Future: Enrichment activities and/or qualifications to support aspirations e.g. Employability, Money Management, Functional Skills, CSCS card, First Aid, Manual Handling, Food Hygiene.
• Change Me: Focusing on personal development including mental health, self-esteem and volunteering e.g. via personalised mentoring provided by our Changemaker.
• Change Lifestyle: Exploring ways to improve physical health, including sleep patterns/exercise/healthy eating habits such as wellbeing videos with support being available face-to-face, written or podcast guidance on these issues.
• Change Relationships: Considering the formation and maintenance of successful relationships e.g. via Cognitive Behavioural Mentoring (CBM) offering 3-9 sessions of action-focused mentoring.
• Enable and Succeed: Job Broker who match young people to employment opportunities, working with national and local employers to broker opportunities.
This report presents an evaluation of the Shaw Trust Change Project in North East and West London, focusing on the support for young people aged 16 to 24 who are unemployed, economically inactive, or not in education, employment, or training. It examines how the project’s holistic approach, which includes personalised mentoring, skills development, health and wellbeing support, and employer brokerage, helps young people overcome multiple barriers and progress into sustained education, training, or employment opportunities. Drawing on the University of Northampton Social Impact Matrix©, the report highlights the social impact of these interventions, considers potential cost savings for public services such as the National Health Service and social care systems, and identifies lessons to inform future strategic development and funding decisions. By analysing the programme in London, this report provides evidence of the project’s effectiveness in addressing complex social and economic challenges and demonstrates how targeted, integrated support can improve the life chances of disadvantaged young people across the capital.