Sizewell C’s nomination for the Community Programme award at the UK Social Mobility Awards 2026 recognises the impact of its partnership with ISCRE and the Beyond Boundaries programme, helping young people build confidence, develop skills and turn their aspirations into reality.

The Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality (ISCRE) is proud to celebrate the nomination of its partner, Sizewell C, for the Community Programme award at the UK Social Mobility Awards 2026, recognising its partnership work with ISCRE through the Beyond Boundaries programme.

The nomination represents an important milestone for Beyond Boundaries and recognition of the difference that sustained, practical support can make to young people facing barriers to employment, education and training. It highlights the importance of working in partnership with employers and communities to ensure that talent, ambition and potential are not limited by a young person’s circumstances or access to opportunities. Delivered by ISCRE with funding from Sizewell C, Beyond Boundaries supports young people across Suffolk to build confidence, strengthen their employability skills, explore career pathways and access opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach. Through personalised support, employability sessions, mentoring and enrichment activities, the programme helps participants identify their strengths, develop their aspirations and take practical steps towards sustainable employment and further education.

The UK Social Mobility Awards celebrate organisations working to widen access to opportunities and improve people’s life chances. Sizewell C’s nomination therefore provides valuable recognition of the partnership’s commitment to creating more inclusive pathways into work.

Lily Wade: A Beyond Boundaries success story

At the heart of Beyond Boundaries are the young people whose journeys demonstrate what becomes possible when potential is recognised and the right support is available.

Lily Wade is a powerful example of the programme’s impact. Having completed her A-levels in Computer Science, Lily joined Beyond Boundaries eager to find a career that matched her skills and interests. Having finished education and being out of employment, she wanted to build her confidence, gain practical experience and take the next step towards securing a full-time role.

Through personalised support, employability workshops and regular one-to-one sessions focused on job searching, applications and interview preparation, Lily developed the skills and confidence to pursue her ambitions. She secured a part-time role at M&S, gaining valuable workplace experience while continuing to explore longer-term career opportunities.

Her determination and perseverance paid off. In the final month of the programme, Lily secured a Recruitment Administrator position with Sizewell C.

Today, Lily is employed by Sizewell C and is enjoying her job. Her journey from completing her education and seeking direction to securing full-time employment demonstrates the tangible difference that Beyond Boundaries can make when young people receive tailored support and meaningful access to employment opportunities.

Lily joined colleagues at the glittering awards gala night dubbed “The Oscars of social mobility” by The Times, held at the London Hilton on Park Lane, central London. Her presence made the event particularly meaningful. Lily was there not simply as a former participant, but as a young person whose own experience demonstrates the opportunities that Beyond Boundaries is helping to create.

Reflecting on her experience, Lily said:

“The support I received from Beyond Boundaries was invaluable.”

Lily’s story demonstrates that employability support is about much more than preparing a CV or learning interview techniques. It is also about building self-belief, developing resilience, recognising personal strengths and helping young people see a future for themselves.

Her success is a reminder of what can be achieved when young people are given the encouragement, practical support and access to opportunity they need to turn their aspirations into reality.

A partnership that turns opportunity into action

For ISCRE, Sizewell C’s nomination is evidence of the value of bringing together community knowledge, personalised support and employers committed to making a difference.

As a Suffolk human rights charity working to advance equality of opportunity, ISCRE recognises that young people do not all begin their journeys from the same starting point. Some face additional barriers in accessing employment networks, workplace experience, professional guidance and the confidence to navigate recruitment processes.

Beyond Boundaries responds to these challenges by working alongside young people, understanding their individual circumstances and helping them develop the skills and connections to move forward.

Sharon Lee, ISCRE Operations Manager, said:

A new cohort, new possibilities

The impact of the first cohort has strengthened ISCRE’s determination to continue opening doors for young people across Suffolk. We have now recruited our new Beyond Boundaries cohort, and delivery has commenced.

Over the coming months, participants will benefit from continued employability development, individual support and opportunities to engage with employers and community mentors. These relationships will help young people develop their understanding of the workplace, explore different career pathways, build professional networks and gain insights from people with experience in the sectors in which they hope to work.

The involvement of employers and mentors is central to the programme’s approach. By creating meaningful connections between young people and the world of work, Beyond Boundaries helps bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity, enabling participants to build the confidence and practical skills needed to progress.

As the new cohort begins its journey, Lily’s experience provides an encouraging reminder of what can be achieved through commitment, partnership and support that recognises each young person as an individual.

Celebrating progress and continuing the work

While national recognition is something to celebrate, ISCRE sees the nomination as part of a much bigger journey. Social mobility is not achieved through a single intervention or opportunity. It requires sustained commitment from employers, community organisations and institutions to identify and address the barriers that prevent talented young people from fulfilling their potential.

Through Beyond Boundaries, ISCRE and Sizewell C are demonstrating what can be achieved when a major infrastructure employer works in partnership with a community organisation to make opportunities more accessible to young people.

Aleksandra Kasinska, Beyond Boundaries Project Lead, said:

“We are grateful to Sizewell C for their commitment to this partnership and to the employers, mentors and community partners who are helping us create pathways that are more accessible and inclusive. We want young people across Suffolk to know that their aspirations matter, their potential deserves to be recognised, and their circumstances should not determine their future.”

We congratulate Sizewell C on its nomination and thank everyone who has contributed to the programme, particularly the young people whose determination and achievements continue to inspire us.

Beyond Boundaries is about more than getting young people into work. It is about building confidence, widening horizons and ensuring that every young person has a fairer chance to shape their future.

Together, we will continue working to make that ambition a reality for young people across Suffolk.