What is Beyond Your Limits?

The Beyond Your Limits programme has been specifically designed with and for care-experienced young people in education, aged 16-19. On the programme you will receive paid employability training, financial literacy / life skills training, work experience placement, bespoke workshops, a personal development grant and a professional mentor.

The programme will help you develop key skills that are essential for reaching your true potential and taking your first steps into a career, including:

• Increased self confidence
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Improved financial literacy
• Stronger self and career ambition
   

Please note the Beyond Your Limits programme is currently being run through a combination of face to face and online delivery. The programme is supported by a range of employer partners across the UK, in a variety of sectors, and has been created with the support of the CareTech Foundation. 

What is involved in the programme?

The Beyond Your Limits programme offers up to 12 months of support, with the first year of training delivered mainly in the school holidays to fit around your school or college commitments.

On the Beyond Your Limits programme, you will:

• Receive employability skills training and financial literacy sessions, to gain a wide variety of transferrable skills and give you a head start in your career
• Be given the opportunity to complete a paid work experience placement, with a potential second placement subject to engagement
• Have access to a volunteer professional mentor to offer advice and guidance for between 6 to 12 months 
• Be entitled to a £400 personal development grant
  
• Be invited to a series of bespoke Limitless Series workshops and alumni events following the programme, for networking, personal and professional development

Can I take part in Beyond Your Limits? 

We welcome young people onto the Beyond Your Limits programme who meet the following eligibility criteria.
 

You must:

• Be aged 16-19
• Be in part or full-time education at any setting
• Be in care or a Care Leaver
• Have the right to work in the UK (original documents need to be verified)
• Have a National Insurance number
• Be willing to commit to the core programme (with up to 11 days of core content delivered in the school holiday periods)
• Be willing to take a DBS check (only under certain circumstances)
   

How do I apply to join the Beyond Your Limits programme?

We typically receive referrals from school/college teachers, youth organisations, social workers, local council professionals or other support workers. However, if you are a young person who is keen to take this opportunity, meets the eligibility criteria and wants to apply directly, please apply here.

We are currently recruiting for:

• Beyond Your Limits University of Warwick starting in March 2024 (you must be Coventry/Midlands based)

• Beyond Your Limits London starting in April 2024

Note the deadline for all applications is Friday 19 January 2024 however, it is advised that you apply as soon as possible due to limited places.

If you have any questions and/or need any support with the application process, then please email beyondyourlimits@eyfoundation.ey.com