Transforming futures: Premier Forest’s corporate parenting model leads the way

Premier Forest’s pioneering corporate parenting programme sets benchmark for UK business support for care leavers

FINAL Premier Forest's Corporate Parenting Scheme members and apprentices

A groundbreaking initiative developed by Premier Forest Products is being hailed as a model for how businesses across the UK can transform the futures of care-experienced young people.

Two years after launching its Premier Forest Corporate Parenting Programme, the company has supported 12 young people through tailored work placements, mentoring and educational support, providing the confidence, structure and opportunity they need to move successfully into the world of work.

Working closely with Newport City Council’s Children’s Services, the programme takes on up to six young people each year, offering paid placements across departments including finance, operations, logistics and manufacturing.

Each participant is matched with an in-house mentor and receives wraparound support, including educational tutoring where needed.

In one case, Premier Forest funded one-to-one tuition that led to a dyslexia diagnosis and tailored learning plan for a participant, a turning point that allowed them to re-engage with their education.

The initiative has been spearheaded by Premier Forest Co-Founder and CEO Terry Edgell and the company now plans to expand the programme to its other UK sites.

The Welsh Government has since adopted similar thinking in its approach to corporate – or community – parenting and care leaver support.

Community parenting describes the collective responsibility of local authorities and, increasingly, their partner organisations, to ensure the wellbeing, development and success of children and young people in care. It means acting in their best interests and providing stability, opportunity and support throughout their transition into adulthood.

Terry Edgell said: “As a business, we’ve always believed that commercial success comes with social responsibility. The idea behind our corporate parenting programme is simple: if we can give these young people the same care, encouragement and structure we would give our own children, we can change their life chances.

“What started as a local pilot in Newport has become something much bigger. We’re seeing the tangible difference this makes.

“Young people are now thriving, working and believing in themselves again. Our goal is to roll this out nationally and to inspire other employers to do the same.”

Newport East MP, Jessica Morden, recently visited Premier Forest to learn more about the programme. She commented: “This partnership with Premier Forest has shown what happens when a business truly embraces the idea of corporate parenting.

“Terry and his team haven’t just supported young people; they're changing the system around them. It’s become a blueprint that other businesses can adopt, not just in Newport, but across the UK.”

Rowan Aderyn, a social change advocate who helped design the programme, added: “The statistics for care leavers are stark: 41% aren’t in education, employment or training by age 21 and they’re 70% more likely to die prematurely.

“That’s why programmes like this are essential. Premier’s model gives young people a bridge between care and career, helping them build confidence, skills and sustainable employment.”

For further information on Premier Forest Products, see www.premierforest.co.uk.