News

Positive Pathways receives extended funding to support more young lives across the Midlands

27 May 2025

Ingeus’ youth support initiative to continue transforming lives with extended funding from the Youth Endowment Fund.

A pioneering youth initiative designed to support teenagers at risk of involvement in crime is expanding, thanks to renewed support from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF). Positive Pathways, a research project delivered by Ingeus, will now enter a new phase in 2025—reaching more young people and building on what works to strengthen the long-term positive impact on young lives.  

Launched in 2024, Positive Pathways offers 15–17-year-olds new opportunities to change their path. It begins with one-to-one mentoring, followed by a unique residential experience that helps build trust, motivation and self-belief, with a celebration event at the end for all graduates. The project is designed to help young people explore safer choices, develop positive routines, and work toward brighter futures. 

It supports those who are facing behavioural challenges, are vulnerable to exploitation, or have close ties to people involved in criminal activity. By working in partnership with schools, youth justice teams and community organisations, the service offers meaningful support at the right time—before young people find themselves on a more uncertain path. 

In its first year, Ingeus delivered 277 hours of mentoring, and collaborated with 49 referral partners across the East and West Midlands. 

“Following a really promising pilot, YEF are excited to be partnering once again with Ingeus to continue delivering Positive Pathways,” said Dr Mollie Bourne, Assistant Director of Impact, Programmes and Partnerships at the Youth Endowment Fund. 

“Ingeus have shown real commitment and skill in delivering the programme, and we're excited to move into the second year with them.” 

Emma Watson, Head of Service for Positive Pathways at Ingeus, said: 

“We’ve seen first-hand the powerful impact Positive Pathways is having on young people—helping them build confidence, set goals, and take real steps toward safer, more positive futures. This next phase gives us the opportunity to reach even more young people across the Midlands and continue doing what we do best: enabling better lives.” 

The extended funding means the project will continue throughout 2025, with the next phase performing a detailed evaluation, working in partnership with Sheffield Hallum University, to help shape best practices in youth intervention nationwide. 

The programme remains free to access and is open to eligible young people living in Midlands. Referrals can be made by organisations Positie Pathways on Ingeus website.

Professionals interested in partnership opportunities or further details are encouraged to contact the team at positivepathways@ingeus.co.uk.