Coach Core Foundation joins Impetus portfolio with £100K investment

We’re thrilled to announce that Coach Core Foundation has joined the Impetus portfolio as a new partner, supported by an initial one-year investment of £100K through the Skills Fund. Alongside this funding, we’ll benefit from Impetus’ in-house capacity-building expertise and their world-class pro-bono network as we look to deepen our impact.

With over one million young people across the UK currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET), the need for organisations like ours, that equip young people with the skills and support to thrive, has never been greater.

“Too many talented young people are locked out of opportunity because of a complicated and inflexible apprenticeship system. Coach Core’s work is helping bridge the gap by connecting young people with supportive employers and high-quality training opportunities which can change the trajectory of their lives. We’re excited to welcome Coach Core to the team.”

Susannah Hardyman MBE, CEO, Impetus

About Coach Core Foundation

Coach Core provides inclusive sports coaching apprenticeships to young people who traditionally face barriers, discrimination and a lack of opportunities. More than 40% of our apprentices live in the top 30% most deprived areas in the UK, and our programme is designed specifically with these young people in mind, offering tailored one-to-one support, mentorship and hands-on experience in sports coaching and community settings alongside a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification.

We also help employers overcome the barriers to taking on apprentices, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, through grants, recruitment support and ongoing guidance, to invest in local talent.

“Coach Core’s innovative approach tackles a major gap in the apprenticeship system. By connecting disadvantaged young people with employers, they can invest in local talent and transform communities at the grassroots. Apprenticeships can be transformative for young people facing barriers to work and we’re excited to support Coach Core as they continue to grow their impact.”

Caitlin Ross, Investment Director, Impetus

About the Skills Fund

The NEET challenge is complex, stemming from both individual barriers (such as low qualifications and socioeconomic disadvantage) and systemic gaps in the infrastructure designed to help young people into work. Impetus’ ambitious new Skills Fund aims to tackle these challenges from both sides, building an evidence base of what works in skills provision and using those insights to inform research, influence policy and drive systemic change. We’re proud to be among the pioneering organisations working shoulder-to-shoulder with Impetus on that mission.

“We are privileged and extremely excited for this long-term partnership with Impetus. Knowing how transformative their support has been for peer charities, we enter our new strategy formation and growth plans with absolute confidence. At a time when employment prospects for young people continue to worsen, and their mental health and hope for the future decline alongside them, the Coach Core offer is needed now more than ever. This partnership will enable us to expand our multi-award-winning apprenticeships for marginalised young people while deepening and enhancing the experience they receive on our programmes. As a relatively young charity, we are also energised by the insights and guidance we will receive as we seek to strengthen the organisation and ensure our growth is still firmly anchored in our founding ethos and values. Thank you to the Impetus team for this opportunity – we know this is going to create significant impact for all parties over the coming years!”

Gary Laybourne, CEO, Coach Core Foundation

About Impetus

Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get the right support to succeed in school, in work and in life. They find, fund and build high-potential non-profit organisations, working shoulder-to-shoulder with their portfolio partners to strengthen their impact. Alongside direct investment, Impetus uses insights from its portfolio as the basis for research and policy work, influencing government and the wider sector to back what works for young people.