About Us
About Us
Ablaze is a local, independent charity working across the West of England region to tackle inequality of opportunity for young people. We connect local businesses with schools and young people to raise aspiration, improve attainment, and help every child develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
We provide corporate volunteers with training and support to deliver programmes that build confidence, develop key skills and open doors to brighter futures for local young people.
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Since 2005, Ablaze has helped thousands of young people build skills, raise aspirations, and discover new possibilities. Our partnerships with businesses and schools continue to create lasting change across the region. Our role in brokering and managing these partnerships is fundamental to our success. Both businesses and schools appreciate our understanding across cultures and value the guidance, support and structure we can provide.
What We Do
- Build partnerships between businesses, schools and young people
- Train and support volunteers
- Deliver structured, impactful programmes that improve reading, confidence, career awareness and employability skills
- Create meaningful opportunities for employees to give back
- Measure and share the impact of every programme with our partners
Why Businesses Work With Us
- Develop employees’ skills through mentoring, communication, and leadership
- Make a measurable social impact in the communities where they work
- Support their ESG and CSR goals with high‑quality, well‑managed volunteering
- Inspire the next generation and strengthen the local talent pipeline
- Rely on our expertise: we handle training, matching, safeguarding, and ongoing support
- We are a member of Business West’s Business Initiative
Our Mission
Ablaze exists to tackle inequality of opportunity for young people in the West of England region.
We do this by utilising the skills and commitment of business volunteers to provide essential support, insight and guidance for the young people we serve.
We aim to
- raise young people’s confidence and widen aspirations;
- support their attainment and skill levels and
- empower them with knowledge to make informed choices about their future.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a large employer or a small business, you can make a real difference. Get in touch to explore how we can work together to inspire and support young people across the West of England.
Our Values
Social Mobility
Promoting social mobility is a challenge we must tackle to ensure equality and inclusion
Community Engagement
Supporting businesses to make the best use of their resources to support their community and make a difference to the lives of local people.
Collaboration
Working with others for the mutual benefit of young people in the West of England is a priority.
Evaluation
We measure the impact of our programmes to report to our partners and make sure our programmes remain relevant.
Contact us to find out more.