Social Mobility

Career Ready is a transformative national charity dedicated to empowering young people from low-income backgrounds across the United Kingdom, with a particular focus on supporting students aged 16-18 who have significant potential but limited opportunities.

Established in 2002, the organisation operates through a comprehensive, evidence-based programme that provides intensive support to help students develop essential workplace skills, confidence, and professional networks.

By partnering with schools, universities, and leading businesses, Career Ready creates a structured mentoring and skills development pathway that includes masterclasses, workplace visits, international experiences, and one-to-one mentorship from corporate professionals.

Their innovative approach goes beyond traditional career guidance, actively breaking down socio-economic barriers and helping young people from disadvantaged communities’ access high-quality career opportunities in sectors ranging from finance and technology to engineering and creative industries.

Through their holistic model, Career Ready has supported over 25,000 young people, demonstrating a remarkable track record of social mobility and helping students who might otherwise be overlooked to achieve their full potential and transform their life trajectories.

The EY Foundation (or EYF) is an independent UK charity, with the ambition to enable all young people on Free School Meals to have an employment and earnings potential that is equitable to other young people in the UK. Since 2014 they have supported over 24,000 young people who face significant barriers to employment.

Through a deep understanding of both sides of the labour market, the EY Foundation brings young people and employers together to close the gap between UK businesses and hidden talent. They do this in collaboration with employers, young people and key partners, leveraging insights and expertise to create systemic change.

They operate in regions across the country, enabling young people from a low-income background to access the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to help them thrive in the workplace.

It's not just the young people who benefit – by collaborating closely with employers, their professional, insight-based approach directly benefits them, too. By working with local talent, employers can build a more diverse workforce and increase staff engagement.

The delivery focused approach generates insights to influence the actions of business and government, helping ensure all young people from a low-income background can succeed in the workplace.

Making The Leap is a social mobility charity that aims to make a big difference. We work with less advantaged young people to develop the skills, behaviours and attitudes that will allow them to fulfil their potential and get into meaningful employment.

We provide skills training, school and mentoring programmes, and partner with businesses who want to drive forward social mobility via learning programmes, internships, job opportunities and more.

Though direct delivery in London is at our core, we use what we learn to advocate for the importance of social mobility practice in UK businesses, and encourage action. We organise the UK Social Mobility Awards, run Social Mobility Day and produce the Social Mobility Podcast and The Social Mobility List, as well as providing bespoke support for companies looking to understand social mobility in their sector.