Building Happier Futures
We believe that every child and young person should have a fair start in life. Building Happier Futures is how we fund UK projects for care-experienced people, and make a difference to vulnerable children and young people who don’t have the safety net of family support.
We want to use our position as an employer and retailer to improve lives and harness the talents of individuals who have grown up in care – whether this is through direct support and financial aid, or providing employment opportunities and training for young people when they leave care. By focusing on their education and skills, we can equip them for long-term success, so they feel empowered to fulfil their potential.
Our story
It all started with the John Lewis Christmas advert in 2022. ‘The Beginner’ reintroduced the conversation of children who enter the UK care system, and Building Happier Futures was born. In the year following, we undertook focused grant making for care-experienced people and created this fund to support projects from organisations within the care sector. Our aim for the future is to build a stronger base for long-term health and happiness for vulnerable children and adults living in the most disadvantaged communities.
Giving guidelines
Building Happier Futures exists to harness the talent and improve the lives of people who have grown up in care. We do this by funding the work of three key specialist national charities, providing student bursaries and grants to organisations who share our ambitions. Further information can be found in our guidance pack.
How to apply
To request an application for a Building Happier Futures grant, please email us at trustsandfoundations@johnlewis.co.uk, indicating which fund you’d like to apply to, and we’ll send you some information.
Case studies
Catch 22 is a charity that designs and delivers critical community services – from health and wellbeing support to combatting child exploitation.
In 2023, we committed to three years of funding to establish Catch 22’s Career Hive service in Greater Manchester. This service will give 100 care-experienced young people valuable employability skills, as well as access to trusted businesses. Each young person will also have a dedicated Career Coach and wrap around support to improve their prospects for future employment.
Drive Forward is a charity that helps young adults leaving residential or foster care to achieve their potential and find sustainable, fulfilling employment.
Through our foundation, we’ve funded a programme that gives 15 young people 1-2-1 support to build confidence and develop their skills. They’ll be trained as ambassadors, establishing a peer support network for other care-experienced young people. And they will be given the opportunity to network with businesses, attend social events, and take part in career skills workshops.
Our funding has enabled Adoption UK to launch an employment support programme, offering 14- to 15-year-olds weekly 1-2-1 careers advice for three months, fortnightly skills training for four months, and a full year of 1-2-1 mentoring.
Young people will also receive CV support, helping them to discover the type of work they’re interested in, and provide individual support to understand the steps needed to achieve their goals.
Catch 22 is a charity that designs and delivers critical community services – from health and wellbeing support to combatting child exploitation.
In 2023, we committed to three years of funding to establish Catch 22’s Career Hive service in Greater Manchester. This service will give 100 care-experienced young people valuable employability skills, as well as access to trusted businesses. Each young person will also have a dedicated Career Coach and wrap around support to improve their prospects for future employment.
Drive Forward is a charity that helps young adults leaving residential or foster care to achieve their potential and find sustainable, fulfilling employment.
Through our foundation, we’ve funded a programme that gives 15 young people 1-2-1 support to build confidence and develop their skills. They’ll be trained as ambassadors, establishing a peer support network for other care-experienced young people. And they will be given the opportunity to network with businesses, attend social events, and take part in career skills workshops.
Our funding has enabled Adoption UK to launch an employment support programme, offering 14- to 15-year-olds weekly 1-2-1 careers advice for three months, fortnightly skills training for four months, and a full year of 1-2-1 mentoring.
Young people will also receive CV support, helping them to discover the type of work they’re interested in, and provide individual support to understand the steps needed to achieve their goals.
Our other funds
John Lewis Partnership Foundation
Registered office: 171 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5NN
Registered Charity number: Registered in England and Wales (1118162)
Registered Company number: Registered in England and Wales (06058796)
Email: trustsandfoundations@johnlewis.co.uk