For young people who felt written off by education, success didn’t come in exams, it came here.

Include Me 2 Club has created a pathway where young people with disabilities and additional support needs gain real recognition, with over 150 awards achieved in 2024, rising to more than 240 in 2025.

Through creative, vocational and enterprise programmes, young people build skills, confidence and independence, often for the first time. Many progress into volunteering, mentoring and employment.

One young person, who had stopped attending school, went on to perform in front of 2,000 people and now supports others as a mentor, a journey from exclusion to leadership.

“On paper I was unemployable. Now I’m a youth worker.”

That’s the impact of North Lanarkshire’s Young Adult Project, a programme designed to tackle youth unemployment by offering real jobs, real support and real belief.

Through 12-month paid placements, participants gain qualifications, skills and experience, with an average of seven qualifications each. Outcomes are strong: 12 of 17 participants progressed into employment, with others moving into further roles or higher education.

Young people have presented to councillors, featured in national media and supported others through the programme. For many, it’s not just about work, it’s about identity, confidence and a future they didn’t think was possible.

For young people who couldn’t face a classroom or group setting, Ready2Thrive starts somewhere different, one conversation at a time.

Since 2023, the programme has supported 56 young people, many for whom this was their first structured support, with 63% progressing into positive destinations.

Through tailored one-to-one coaching, young people build confidence, learn to travel independently, improve wellbeing and gain recognised awards, with 47 qualifications achieved to date.

For many, it’s a turning point. One young person who had rarely left home is now in college, volunteering and travelling independently, something that once felt impossible.