Business Details
44 Years
experience
Transforming Lives Through Employment Support
Shaw Trust is a leading employment charity with over 40 years of experience dedicated to creating a future where rewarding work is accessible for all. Established in 1982, we support hundreds of thousands of people annually through employability programmes, education and training, children's services, and community health initiatives. Our expertise spans helping individuals facing barriers to work, operating the UK's largest not-for-profit residential children's home network, and partnering with businesses to improve workplace inclusivity.With 3,000 employees and 600 volunteers, we deliver services commissioned by government bodies, local authorities, and NHS partners across the UK. Our approach combines charitable purpose with business acumen to maximise social value, evidenced by our National Equality Standard accreditation and innovative partnerships. We prioritise transparency, co-created solutions, and evidence-based practices to create lasting social impact through employment and community development.
Services
Employment support
Children's homes
Community health
Charity retail
Justice services
Skills training
Workplace inclusion
Volunteering opportunities
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- 40 years' experience supporting vulnerable individuals into employment
- UK's largest not-for-profit residential children's home provider
- National Equality Standard accredited organisation
- Deliver government-commissioned programmes with proven impact
- Operate 27 community-focused social enterprise sites nationwide
Associations and certifications
- National Equality Standard
What people say
Life-changing support
Excellent community programmes
Dedicated staff
Inclusive approach
Effective partnerships
Services
Employment support
We provide comprehensive employment support for individuals facing barriers to work. Our programmes combine skills training, job placement assistance, and ongoing support to help participants achieve sustainable employment. With 40 years' experience, we deliver government-commissioned initiatives that transform lives through meaningful work opportunities.
Children's homes
As the UK's largest not-for-profit residential children's home provider, we offer nurturing environments for looked-after children. Our specialist care teams focus on educational attainment, emotional wellbeing, and life skills development to improve long-term outcomes for vulnerable young people through tailored support programmes.
Community health
Our community health initiatives address social determinants of health through preventative care and support services. We deliver social prescribing programmes that connect individuals with local resources to improve physical and mental wellbeing, recognising health as fundamental to employment success.
Charity retail
Operating 24 charity shops and two garden centres across the UK, our retail network provides volunteering opportunities and promotes sustainability. These social enterprises generate funds to support our core services while offering practical work experience for individuals facing employment barriers.
Justice services
We deliver specialist rehabilitation programmes for individuals in the criminal justice system. Our evidence-based interventions focus on education, employment skills, and personal development to reduce reoffending and support successful reintegration into communities across England and Wales.
People
Chris Luck
Group CEO
Former military leader with strategic vision, Chris Luck leads Shaw Trust's mission to create employment opportunities. He champions social mobility through the Shaw Trust Foundation and Policy Institute, driving organisational transformation since 2019.
Olly Benzecry
Chair of Trustees
Olly Benzecry chairs the board with focus on employment equity. His corporate background includes Accenture leadership roles and advisory positions with social impact organisations, bringing strategic expertise to guide Shaw Trust's charitable mission.
Lisa Bishop
Director of Justice
Lisa Bishop oversees criminal justice contracts with 20+ years' sector experience. She designs rehabilitation programmes that reduce reoffending, combining Ministry of Justice expertise with charity sector innovation to transform lives through purposeful employment pathways.
Renata Graver
Director of Community and Retail
Renata Graver leads community engagement through 27 social enterprise sites. With progression from frontline roles to executive leadership, she champions diversity and sustainability while managing charity retail operations that support vulnerable individuals across the UK.
Julie Leonard
Chief Impact Officer
Julie Leonard drives measurable social impact with cross-sector experience. She oversees impact reporting and strategy implementation, leveraging prior roles in international development and public sector consultancy to ensure Shaw Trust's programmes deliver tangible, evidence-based outcomes.
Questions
How does Shaw Trust support people into employment?
We deliver government-commissioned programmes and specialist services that provide skills training, job placement assistance, and ongoing support for individuals facing barriers to work across the UK.
What children's services does Shaw Trust offer?
We operate the UK's largest not-for-profit residential children's home network, providing specialist care and educational support for looked-after children through our Homes and Horizons partnership.
Can I volunteer with Shaw Trust?
Yes, we have over 1,000 volunteers supporting our work. Opportunities include retail assistance, mentoring, and community outreach programmes that help develop skills while supporting our charitable mission.
How does Shaw Trust measure its social impact?
Through our Impact Report and Policy Institute, we track employment outcomes, educational achievements, and wellbeing improvements using data from our services to demonstrate measurable social value creation.
What partnerships does Shaw Trust have?
We collaborate with government bodies, local authorities, NHS partners, and businesses through our supply chain and commissioning partnerships to deliver integrated support services nationwide.
How can businesses work with Shaw Trust?
Businesses can partner through our corporate programmes that improve workplace inclusivity, access to talent, and social value delivery, while supporting employees' community engagement initiatives.
