LaunchPad Programme
Building new habits, new friendships, and brighter futures
Overview
Today, nearly 1 million young adults across the UK are currently NEET (not in education, employment, or training).
Research shows this group faces some of the highest rates of loneliness and social isolation, with unemployed young people significantly more likely to lose confidence, withdraw socially, and experience declining wellbeing.
We know that loneliness is not just a by-product of unemployment – it actively undermines motivation, self-belief, and employability, creating a vicious cycle that many existing programmes fail to address.
While traditional job support often focuses on skills and readiness, it rarely tackles the social and emotional barriers that keep young people from engaging in the first place.
The Facts
Who is it for?
LaunchPad is designed for young adults aged 18-25 who are currently NEET and who may be struggling with low motivation, confidence, or anxiety.
LaunchPad offers a safe, structured environment where young people can rebuild routine, reconnect with peers, and regain belief in themselves – so they feel ready to take the next step, whether that’s work, training, or something else entirely.
By tackling loneliness and unemployment together, the programme helps participants feel ready and motivated to take their next step – whether that’s training, volunteering, or work.
Our Framework
The LaunchPad Programme seeks to break the cycle of loneliness and unemployment by helping to build connection, agency and greater social confidence.
-
Loneliness Reduction
-
Combat feelings of loneliness by creating pathways for connection and fostering friendships.
-
Agency
-
To help participants rediscover direction, personal motivation and belief in their ability to take action on their future.
-
Uplift
-
Boost mood and hope to counteract common barriers like low motivation, or feeling stuck or demoralised.
-
Networks
-
Create a peer-to-peer community of young adults with a shared sense of purpose, offering mutual support and accountability
-
Confidence
-
To help them build their social skills and interpersonal confidence, known to be vital for job and interview success.
-
Habits
-
To establish a weekly routine and structure that can reduce the drift and demotivation that often can accompany unemployment
What’s Involved?
