Our Impact

This year, our Impact Page tells the story of our impact through the voices of our community. We’re proud of everything we have achieved this year, and look forward to driving lasting change in the years ahead.

Helping our students thrive.

We work alongside young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to create access to top-quality education and career opportunities through our Aspiring Professionals Programme, learn more about it or apply here.

98%

of our students received university offers

"The SMF fosters a living community that encourages growth, contribution, and confidence. It gives people like me the space to grow, not in spite of our background, but with a deep understanding of it."

Zahir, SMF alumni *

60%

of our students went forward to top universities.

"My time on my Aspiring Professionals Programme really changed my perspective on my ability to pursue my career and gave me so much more confidence. This experience helped me to get into Cambridge, and then to continue striving for the best."

Georgia, now studying the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

83%

of our 2023 graduates are in full-time further education, employment or training – 87% of those in jobs are in highly skilled roles.

"I wanted to get into a law, no one in my family had any existing connections, without the SMF I wouldn’t have had any of those experiences to help me with my career."

Edden, SMF student

78%

say that SMF support has been beneficial to their career.

"In September, I will be starting my training contract at the Gov Legal Department from the Leeds office in Public Law. I genuinely don’t think I would have a career without the SMF. It has gave me every skill and experience that I’ve ever needed for a career in law."

Kirstie, SMF student 

* identifying details have been changed

Spotlight on mentoring

1,361

mentors working with students

"As someone who was the first generation to go to university and have a job in the city, I know how daunting the whole process can be. That's why I mentor an SMF student – to help them along the way to achieve their full potential. The impact is not just one way, it’s deeply fulfilling and I also have the opportunity to learn from my mentees as we discuss and debate different perspectives."

Michael, Ashurst LPP,
SMF mentor 

Our movement for change.

We work with partners to change systems so all young people experience access to opportunities, not obstacles. One way we do this is through the Social Mobility Employer Index, which gives employers the tools to create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

150

of organisations employing over 1 million people, entered our Social Mobility Employer Index in 2024.

"We saw the Index as a real opportunity to be leaders in improving our own organisation while advocating for wider change. We would encourage anyone who is thinking about joining the Index to take the leap. Together, we can create workplaces where everyone can thrive."

Fiona Vines,
Chief Inclusion Equity and Diversity Officer, BT Group

72%

of employers in our Index collect three or four socioeconomic data points for current employees.

"At Co-op, we were incredibly proud to publish our socioeconomic pay gap report for the first time this year. We hope to inspire long-lasting change at a societal level, so that everyone can thrive no matter their background."

Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO, Co-op

134

pieces of media coverage.

Some of our brilliant young people were featured on Channel 4 News, alongside coverage of our Unheard Voices research. Watch the full feature here.

Youth Voice at the SMF

Young people are at the heart of what we do, and we want to make sure their voices and views shape our work. So, we’ll nurture the skills needed to design and deliver activities with us, and share the decision-making power on issues that affect them.

But first, we want to make sure we always show up when we’re working directly with young people.

We have five main principles that we will uphold when working with young people; respect, inclusion, justice, transparency, and enthusiasm.

Staff reflections

Our team walk alongside our community every step of the way. Here, they reflect on their highlights.

There have been so many moments of exciting impact for our charity this year, but I have a couple of standouts.

It’s been wonderful to see the new student platform go live. The platform has made it much easier for us to communicate directly with students so they can make the most of what our programme offers. It's also been exciting to see students using it to connect with each other and us, building their networks.

Another highlight was our Creating Connections events: seeing students practising their networking skills and building their skills and confidence, supported by some brilliant volunteers.

Sarah Atkinson

|

CEO

WHAT trustees SAY

Our people's words

What I love most about being a Trustee at SMF is witnessing the transformation of potential into achievement. This year I attended events for 6th formers and early career professionals at which practical support was provided to boost communication and networking skills. It was a joy to see the breaking down of barriers, instilling of confidence and building of connections

I am incredibly proud to be a Trustee of SMF and have been inspired by the passion and dedication of our teams across the UK, as well as the real impact being made to our students lives. I have loved meeting our students through various events such as the “Young Women’s Forum”, and am energised by their curiosity and hunger to learn. When I see the difference the SMF can make, I feel hopeful for the future of our society.

It is a great privilege being an SMF Board Trustee; I get to witness and support first-hand the transformational change that is being undertaken. I’m especially proud to be a part of this organisation around Social Mobility Day each year, where we get to hear the stories of young adults who have defied the odds to access, and then complete higher education, sharing their experience for others to do the same.

Thank you to our funding partners

ERM logo
Dulverton Trust Logo
JPMorgan Chase & Co. logo
BP Logo
Community Foundation logo
Sky logo
Freshfields logo
Gowling logo
Julius Bar Logo
Finbourne Logo
Historic England logo
Esprit Foundation logo
ARTEMIS CHARTIABLE FOUNDATION logo
Dods logo
Argentex Logo
Cognizant logo
YouGov logo
Akin logo
CLIFFORD CHANCE logo
AFRY logo
Clarke Willmott solicitors logo
STEWARTS logo
CATALYST FOR IMPACT logo
Bank of English logo
KPMG logo
ARUP logo
WARNER MUSIC GROUP logo
Snapchat logo
Natwest logo
Pfizer logo
White Case logo
Phoenix Group logo
Portal Trust logo
Newton logo
Accenture logo
PwC logo
Schroders logo
Linklaters logo
Weil logo
PA logo
The Ponton Trust logo
ESSEX COURT CHAMBERS logo

Your support unlocks opportunities

With the cost of living crisis, more and more young people are being locked out of opportunities to achieve their goals. It’s our mission to propel them forward.

Together, we can make an even bigger difference to the lives of thousands of young people across the UK.

Make a regular or one-off donation through JustGiving.