A social entrepreneur who was raised in poverty in Bolton was put in care and spent years “in and out of prison”.
But now, Sam Smith is giving young people opportunities he never had.
One of four children, the 52-year-old had a difficult start to life, growing up in the care system.
Sam said: “For five years, I was passed around from children’s home to children’s home, moving through three primary schools before the age of 11.
“When I was living with foster parents, I got in with the wrong crowd, running away many times and getting in trouble with the police, sometimes sleeping on the streets.
“At 14, I found myself in youth custody.
“From 14 to 23, I was in and out of youth custody and prison. All my teenage and young adult years, really.
“This included Strangeways prison, where I was in the middle of some of the worst-ever riots and convinced I was going to burn to death.
“The prison cycle was hard to break because of the negative influences around me.
“When I left, I couldn’t maintain a regular life."
In another traumatic experience, he said he also found the body of his only brother.
Then at the age of 23, Sam’s son was born.
He said: “As I held my baby, I decided I was not going to let him be subjected to the same life I had.
“My partner, my son and I packed up and left Bolton with all our earthly possessions in a bag and headed to Blackpool.
“There, I started a car-washing business from the boot of my car.
“At the time, I’d thought I had to have a lot of money and computers to be an entrepreneur, but all I needed was a bucket and a sponge.
“My business, Smith and Wilson Cleaning Services, expanded to cleaning windows, carpets and driveways.
“And I began reaching out to local colleges and job centres, hiring young people who were not in education or training.
“They worked at my business but also received a vehicle cleaning NVQ Level 1 qualification.
“We took our car washes, sometimes with pop-up pizza and cake shops, to various businesses.
“This helped the young people network with our partners.
“Bolton hadn’t given me opportunities.
“I never got to work and was judged and labelled.
“I wanted to give them the chances I didn’t have."
The business received awards from the Prince’s Trust and Shell Livewire.
Sam went on to train and educate young people, whether in Morrisons or the I Can Trust network.
A year ago, he decided to go further.
He and business partner Michael Alleyne founded Genuine Futures CIC.
They began to train young people in job skills in schools and one-on-one.
Sam said: “We wanted to equip disadvantaged young people with employability skills and the confidence needed to work.
“They tell us their personal and job goals and we help them develop their skills.
“We research businesses working on what their interests already are.
“And share stories to inspire them.
“They can then create an enterprise based on their interests and get connected with employers.
“At the end, they get a qualification from the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE).
“It’s also about their personal development and mental health.
“When we see them in the morning, we want to know how they’re feeling.
“Sometimes we help with personal things like budgeting or driving.
“The programme helps divert them from crime and get a sense of pride and belonging.”
Genuine Futures programmes spread throughout schools in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Sam has also worked with pupils in their homes like Tariq, 18, who is homeschooled and lives in Bolton.
Sam said: “I ring his mum up and come from where I live in North Wales to visit him and make sure he’s alright.”
Tariq added: “The programme has motivated me and made me more dedicated.
“I’ve learned how to communicate with people in business and be more persuasive.”
Now, Sam is looking to set up a Genuine Futures programme where it all started, in Bolton.
He said: “I’m coming back to help young people who need opportunities like I did.
“I want to be a role model for them.”
To learn more, visit https://genuinefutures.co.uk/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article