Ali Wheeler, CEO of WeMindTheGap

At WeMindTheGap, we give new opportunities to young people who deserve better—opportunities to learn, to grow, and to believe in themselves. We provide the skills to have real choices in life and work.

As CEO of this incredible charity, I see firsthand what happens when young people who have fallen through the gaps are given not just support, but a sense of belonging. As we celebrate ten years of impact and prepare for the next chapter, my passion has never been clearer: to build a world where every young person has the maturity, independence, and aspirations to thrive.

Founded in 2014 by Rachel Clacher, cofounder of Moneypenny, WeMindTheGap began with a single six-month paid traineeship for a small group of underserved young people. Ten years later, we have grown into a charity that delivers five programmes—online and inperson—designed to meet young people where they are, and walk with them on their journey to where they want to be. We mind the gaps in young people’s lives—gaps that the rest of us often take for granted. Whether it’s having a reason to get out of bed, learning how to communicate in a workplace, or building healthy routines, we help put the basics in place so that our Gappies can begin to dream bigger. Every young person deserves the opportunity to belong, to be part of something bigger, and to know they are not alone.

That's why I’m proud to share that WeMindTheGap has been awarded £4.9 million in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund over the next five years. This transformational support will help us move closer to our ambition: to support over 10,000 young people at a cost of £12 million, and to grow a powerful support network of 10,000 people who will stand alongside them.

We are also thrilled to be partnering with The Westminster Foundation, which has made a five-year investment to support young people in Cheshire West and Chester who are at risk of falling out of education. This support will be delivered through our schoolbased WeInspire programme—providing early, targeted help to ensure that young people stay engaged, motivated, and connected to their futures.

Because it truly does take a village to raise a child—but it takes a system to mind the gaps.

Our model is about more than just temporary fixes. We’re building a system that creates lasting change. One that bridges, closes, and ultimately ends the gaps that disadvantage young people— social, economic and educational. Who you know, what you know, and who supports you matters. Through mentoring, coaching, and partnerships with employers, we’re creating meaningful connections—relationships that lead to personal and professional growth. What we’re building is social capital: the trust, support, and opportunity that enable communities to thrive.

We also see our work as a powerful opportunity for business. Supporting social mobility is not just a charitable act or a one-off event. It’s a strategic ESG investment—a measurable way to build brand reputation, strengthen your community, attract talent, and meet the growing expectations of investors, consumers, and regulators. By investing in today’s young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, we are investing in the workforce of tomorrow— and in the future of our society.

We are calling this the Power of 10,000— a network of networks, rooted in community, built on collaboration. It includes mentors, peers, employers, volunteers, and friends. It’s about creating opportunities with local employers, sharing skills, offering meaningful work experience, and ensuring there’s support into good youth employment. It’s about being part of a system that delivers real change, one young person at a time.

Logan’s journey is one of the many that inspires us. When we met him at a Jobs Fair in Wrexham, he was feeling lost, anxious, and unmotivated. “I wasn’t really engaging with the Job Centre, and I felt really nervous about starting something new,” he told us. But after joining WeDiscover, our digital-first programme, Logan’s mindset began to shift.

“The calls helped more than I expected,” he said. “And getting to know people my age, making new friends—that was brilliant.” Guest speakers sparked new ideas, from improving his sleep habits to discovering Gladstone Library. He began volunteering at his local community centre and found a new passion working with animals through Agri-cation. He even picked up his drumsticks again and started performing at open mic nights. Logan’s story shows the power of a small step in the right direction—and the impact of having people who believe in you. That’s what WeMindTheGap is all about.

As we look to the next ten years, we are asking businesses, communities, and individuals to be part of that village— to join us in building the system that will mind the gaps. To invest not only in programmes, but in people. To help us build constancy and capability, to support social mobility, and to create a future in which no young person is left behind.

We are proud of the lives we’ve changed—but we are not finished. With the help of our growing network and the continued support of partners like The National Lottery and The Westminster Foundation, we are building a future with greater equity, opportunity, and hope. And that is something worth being passionate about.