Did you know that more than 13 million people in the UK live in poverty, which is almost a quarter of the population? And that social mobility in this country is lower than in most other developed countries? This means that the odds are stacked against people from disadvantaged backgrounds being able to break the cycle of poverty, and make better lives for themselves.
Government can only do so much to combat this problem. There is an urgent need to build the capacity of the voluntary sector, so many more disadvantaged people can be equipped with the skills they need to improve their lives.
Read more about the need for support.
Impetus is uniquely positioned to make a difference. We find and invest in innovative charities and social enterprises that are working to break the cycle of poverty by creating opportunities for the poorest 20% of the UK to gain employment, education and skills. Through our innovative investment model we 'turbo-charge' those charities and social enterprises so they can help many more people.
These are people like Joe, who was unemployed and thought he had no prospects before he discovered Street League. After joining a Street League programme his confidence has been boosted and he has gained new skills. Joe is now enrolled on a training course and is now optimistic about his future. Read some of the stories of other people whose lives have been transformed by our portfolio charities.

Picture above: Impetus charity Street League

Pictured above: Impetus charity Leap Confronting
Conflict
In this year alone, Impetus charities are helping over 200,000
people gain education, skills and jobs. We are ambitious to
reach even more people, and are working to double the size of our
portfolio in the next four years. That means that the high-impact
charities we invest in could help another 200,000 disadvantaged
people escape the cycle of poverty that has existed for too
long. Read more about how you can contribute by donating money or volunteering
your skills.
Read more about two funds Impetus has set up to increase our impact even further: the Impetus for Reducing Reoffending Initiative and the London Fund.
Tom Gladstone
OC&C Strategy Partners, Impetus pro bono corporate supporter