The Our Future Programme
The Our Future Programme is an award-winning 7–8 week summer initiative that equips young people aged 16–19 with the essential skills, confidence, and real-world experience needed to succeed in higher education and employment.
Delivered in collaboration with leading UK companies and professionals, it offers immersive workshops, mentorship, and industry projects that strengthen employability and enhance resumes and personal statements.
By providing diverse and meaningful opportunities for young people in Southwark — including those from severely disadvantaged backgrounds — the programme ensures every participant gains the tools and support to build a successful future.
About the Programme
The Our Future Programme is powered by the generous support of local, national, and international businesses and organisations that volunteer their time and expertise to deliver engaging, theme-based workshops and training sessions.
Through these collaborations, participants gain first-hand experience of the professional world and an understanding of how different industries operate.
Each session is designed to both showcase the partner’s field of expertise and develop vital skills such as public speaking, teamwork, negotiation, resilience, project and event management, presenting, confidence building, copywriting, scriptwriting, producing, filming, directing, research, and more — empowering young people with capabilities that are crucial for success in any career path.
A number of companies and organisations have and continue to participate in the programme, including:
Borough Market • Shakespeare's Globe • TATE Modern • TP Bennett • Hilton London Bankside • WPP • US Embassy • LUSH • King's College London • GiffGaff • MACE • News UK • Live Group • JPMorgan • NatWest
If you and your company or organisation would like to get involved, please do contact us via email at info@livingbankside.org
Previous Years
Check out the previous years of the Our Future programme:
(Or some way of introducing the previous years)
2023 - Environmental Sustainability
The Eco 5 — a group of five16 to 19 year-olds from Southwark — immersed themselves in the world of sustainability through several company visits, workshops and talks, creating a short film and journey video while developing several green projects to enhance nature and biodiversity and improve sustainability in the local area.
2024 - Technology, AI & Innovation
The Innovators — a group of eight 16 to 19 year-olds from Southwark — immersed themselves in the world of technology through several company visits, workshops and talks, creating a short film and journey video while developing a project to involve people in the field of technology through workshops around Virtual/Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence.
2025 - Health & Wellbeing
The Olympians — a group of eleven16 to 19 year-olds from Southwark — immersed themselves in the world of health through several company visits, workshops and talks, creating a short film and journey video while developing several local sporting events for the local community to get involved to promote physical activity and wellbeing.
Our Impact
The programme is carefully impact-measured, tracking each participant’s progress in skill development and the achievement of personal and professional goals, with a strong emphasis on tangible outcomes such as work placements, employment, or further education and vocational training.
After completing the programme, every participant becomes part of the Our Future alumni network and receives up to 10 years of ongoing, personalised advice and support.
To date, all alumni have successfully progressed into further education, vocational courses, or employment that aligns with their long-term aspirations — a testament to the programme’s lasting impact.
Beyond the Workshops
Alongside the immersive workshops, talks and industry visits, the participants also:
Plan and host a professional networking event for over 200 guests (Celebration Event)
Produce a journey video documenting their experiences and insights
Develop and soft launch a campaign or project which relates to the year’s theme
Create a promotional short film to accompany their final presentation
Want to apply?
Are you a young person or student aged between 16 and 19 and would like to be part of the programme next summer?
The theme for next year’s programme is International Relations
Applications open on {Date}.
Email us on administrator@livingbankside.org to find out more or ask any questions