UK Youth partners with Direct Line Group

Today, UK Youth has announced a new partnership with Direct Line Group, one of the largest insurance providers in the UK. The partnership aims to build connections with young people facing significant barriers within their communities, providing them with a range of skills that will get them ready for the workplace and create stronger pathways to employment.    

The partnership forms part of Direct Line Group’s Community Fund, which was set up in April 2020. Since then, the Community Fund has supported over 200,000 families and individuals facing adversity, mental health challenges and food poverty. Building on these achievements, the Group set a new ambition in 2022, focusing on social mobility to build a more inclusive and equitable Britain.      

Claire Flannery, Student Engagement Consultant at Direct Line Group said, “As one of the largest insurance providers in the UK, we have a responsibility to invest in the communities we serve and partnering with UK Youth will enable us to do that. Our colleagues are passionate about improving social mobility and breaking down barriers, and look forward to sharing their professional experience and expertise to help young people gain insight into the world of work and provide them with the essential skills they need.” 

Leo Visconti, Director of External Relations at UK Youth said, “There are currently over 750,000 young people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment, or training that are facing significant barriers rooted in socio-economic deprivation and inequality in economic and educational opportunities. It’s vital for businesses like Direct Line Group to support youth work and young people, so we can provide valuable opportunities for those furthest away from the job market, and break through some of those tough barriers young people face while investing in the workforce of the future.”  

UK Youth will work with Direct Line Group to connect the business to two youth centres, one in Leeds and one in London. The partnership will deliver key activities that connect young people with Direct Line Group employees, who will be able to share their expertise and provide valuable insights into the world of work through workshops and work experience. Direct Line Group volunteers will be able to donate their time to help support UK Youth’s employability engagement activities, which are designed to help inspire young people to start taking the steps needed to fulfil their career ambitions.  

Direct Line will support UK Youth’s Building Connections programme, which supports youth workers to build partnerships with local employers to benefit young people looking to overcome barriers to entering the workplace. They join existing partner Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), the largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola globally.

For more information about the Direct Line Group Community Fund blog click here