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ABOUT

Our Background

John, Graham, and Darren created Building Futures Together (BFT) in 2020 with the intention of giving young people a hands-on experience of the construction industry while still in education.

Our ethos is to engage, encourage, and nurture pupils’ ambitions in the construction industry. We aim to help them understand the benefits of the industry as a valuable career path, assist those struggling in education, and encourage those who have fallen behind to consider alternative options.

Not all pupils are academically minded, struggling to engage in the curriculum and finding it a challenge to succeed. BFT was created to offer these students an alternative, providing a high-quality work experience, career guidance, and opportunities within the construction industry.

Why we are needed

Latest Office for National Statistics figures (Jan-Mar 2024) estimate 900,000 people aged 16 to 24 are classed as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). Estimates suggest 12.6% of all young people aged 16-24 were NEET in Jan-Mar 2024, up 1.1%.

Young people face multiple challenges, especially those who are disadvantaged, as they are likely to be affected by an increased risk of negative social, economic, and health issues.

A young person who experiences a period of being NEET will on average lose up to £50,000 in earnings over their working life compared to a peer who is continuously working or learning.

Issues affecting NEET people cost the economy and wider community around £120,000 in lifetime costs.

We want to reduce these numbers by nurturing youngsters into sustainable careers by working with them while they are still at school.

Our People

Darren Hamer

Darren Hamer

Graham Kelly

Apprentice Training Academy

Those who take up our courses will be able to use the purpose built plumbing and electrical vocational training centre giving a similar experience to what an apprentice receives. The facility is split into different booths covering a range of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and air conditioning services with a soon to be added joinery/carpentry space. Students can also develop skills at a faster rate and to the higher standard. The programme is hugely successful and is a great opportunity for students to experience a professional work environment.

For Schools

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For Young People

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Press Coverage

Criminals' cash pays to train future plumbers

BBC News

Pudsey: Money seized from criminals used by young people to build brighter futures

West Leeds Dispatch

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor visits Pudsey-based Building Futures Together

Premier Construction News

Money seized from criminals used by young people to build brighter futures

West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Easyfunding

easyfundraising partners with over 7,000 brands who will donate part of what you spend to a cause of your choice. It won’t cost you any extra. The cost is covered by the brand.

Brands pay us a commission because when you start your shop from the easyfundraising website or app, they can see we sent you to them. If you make a purchase, a commission is generated, and we turn that into a donation – magic!

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Our Partners

community-committee
sbs
child_friendly_leeds
gandh
Living Wage Employer
candd
Firlands Mill
South Parade
Pudsey
West Yorkshire
LS28 8AD

Legal

Community Interest Company Number: 12418865
Privacy Policy

Contact

E: info@buildingfuturestogether.me T: 0113 255 6433

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John Thornton

John Thornton

John manages the day-to-day activities of Building Futures Together and takes an active, hands-on role delivering sessions.

Having joined British Railways on a youth training scheme (YTS) from school in 1992 John worked over 11 years in customer front facing roles including supervisory and management. In 2003 John followed his passion for helping others in the community by becoming a police officer.

He is motivated to use his life and work experiences to help others, especially young people.

While working in neighbourhood policing, he created an intervention programme with Bradford Bulls to engage young people through sport.

During his time as an offender manager at HMP Leeds he created a partnership with Leeds Rhinos called ‘Onside’ to once again successfully use sport as a catalyst for positive change.

“I want to create an alternative to mainstream curriculum helping young people be the best they can. I want to help young people develop themselves, their careers and boost their life chances, which is why I co-founded Building Futures Together”

“We need to support young people to be effective communicators and problem solvers helping them learn interpersonal skills, become creative and critical thinkers while being able to cope with emotions and stress to help them towards a positive future.”

Darren Hamer

Darren Hamer

Darren left school with little or no qualifications and started his career in construction as a 16-year-old land surveyor in 1986 on the Youth Training Scheme.

Since then, he’s held a variety of positions included land surveyor, site manager,
contracts manager, construction director, pre-construction director and finally group strategy board director and shareholder of the then £60m HB Projects Group of Companies.

Following the sale of his business in 2018 Darren now acts part time as a consultant to the construction industry in the UK and currently in Portugal.

Over the past 6 years Darren has focused his attention on social and community
projects working as an advisor to Yorkshire Prison Group by tackling re-offending with the introduction of vocational construction skills academy at HMP Leeds.

He is a voluntary Director at Give Construction A Try C.I.C which together with Heart of Yorkshire Colleges help showcase to our young people the many opportunities available to them in the Construction Sector.

He works in conjunction with the West Yorkshire Colleges Consortium/ I con Ltd and WYCA delivering his Real Site Skills Programme to those looking to get a leg up in the construction industry.

Darren often describes why he has such a passion to help others as below:

“Having had adversity in my own life, I understand the importance of being given a second chance or for some, even that first chance. Everyone should have an opportunity to fulfil their potential whatever the circumstances.

Construction has been very good to me and literally saved my life; my motivation now is to give something back by helping young people and inspiring those who need it most by creating a clear pathway into work.”

Graham Kelly

After leaving school at 16, Graham joined construction group Morfitts before creating G&H Group in 1998.

Graham remains the Group chairman having built the business into a £60m mechanical and electrical company based in Pudsey – the town he grew up in and where he still lives today.

He firmly believes the most important characteristics for success are determination, the right attitude and hard work.

With this in mind, Graham created the G&H Apprentice Training Academy, now the Building Futures Together vocational training centre, giving students the chance to learn building services skills and forge careers in construction.

G&H is a strong supporter of local grassroots schools, sports, community groups and charities with over £15,000 raised last year.

“We created our Apprentice Training Academy to give our staff the chance to gain practical, hands-on experience and training in our purpose-built centre.”

“This has developed into a centre of excellence for young people and the community to use. It is an investment in young people’s future, giving them chance through Building Futures Together to experience construction and see if it’s a career they want to pursue”.