Westminster is home to extremes. The life expectancy gap between rich and poor is 20 year, the pay gap is just as stark. Factors like household income, overcrowding, and a lack of skills all contribute to a young person leaving school and becoming economically inactive. Vital believe tackling unemployment will prevent and help to improve material and mental wellbeing. Youth unemployment has been well researched; we are working to solve the problems it causes for Westminster’s poorest residents.

The Vital Career Shaper increases skills, employment chances and builds confidence. A 10 week client phase gives 12 young people the chance to explore careers in a law firm, from receptionist to MD. The young people create career pathway videos and online content to uncover routes into the industry and tell real stories of role models from similar backgrounds that have succeeded. Every young person is then supported for 6 months by our youth team to move into employment or stay in education.