Who We Are?
From Youth Development Projects, including a Homeschooling hub, After-School and Holiday Clubs, a Youth Council, with business, cultural & political insight trips, we offer young people a range of mainly free employability skills and work opportunities.
Our team and trustees are made up of qualified teachers and individuals, dedicated to providing better opportunities in our communities. All individuals are passionate and driven by our inclusive-Christian ethos.
We began life as Bright Futures, in 2008 in Central and South Islington, providing affordable supplementary education and support to all children/families, regardless of their economic, cultural or ethnic background. As a CIC, originally we delivered education to primary-aged children at £2 per session, and FREE counselling to their parents/carers in two local church community centres’ (St. Mary’s and St. Luke’s).
Since 2015, we re-located South of the river, and have been delivering a range of education and welfare support to mostly SEND, BAME school-aged children and their families in Croydon and the surrounding South London boroughs. These families share a common desire to provide the best opportunities for their children despite economic and social disadvantaged.
Our services have developed based on their needs and as a result, we launched Hillel Bright Futures Trust (HBFT) in 2020. Over 75% of our service-users are neurodivergent children and young adults (special needs).
Backed by an ethos that aims to meet all families in their place of need, our education/well-being work is carried out in-accordance to our values of: 'Building Hope, Love and resilience'.
The Difference We Make
Hillel Bright Futures Trust, exists to ensure that no child or young person is left behind, especially those facing disadvantage, exclusion or unmet special educational needs.
Too many neurodivergent and socio-economically marginalised young people, experience fragmented support, low expectations and limited access to enriching opportunities. Families are often left navigating complex systems alone, at the very moment they most need trusted guidance and advocacy.
The Problem We Are Solving
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1 in 5 children leave school as 'low achievers'
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70% of SEND Year 11 students leave as these 'low achievers'
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3 in 5 home-schoolers have special educational needs
We Exist For Change
Through inclusive education, wellbeing support and youth leadership programmes, we walk alongside children, young adults and their families, building confidence, resilience and hope. Our work is shaped by lived experience, rooted in community-values, and driven by an inclusive Christian ethos that prioritises families of all faiths and none.
We believe that when young people are: supported, believed in and given appropriate access to opportunities, they can thrive and will go on to shape a fairer, more compassionate society.
MISSION -
Why We Exist?
We exist to empower young people, providing essential resources, education, and support systems needed to overcome challenges and unlock their inherent potential. We are dedicated to cultivating community-minded future leaders.
VISION -
Where We Are Going?
Our vision is a future where every young person in our community has the opportunity to thrive, contribute meaningfully to society, and carry forward our shared values with pride. We aspire to be the leading catalyst for neurodivergent youth development and social mobility.
We are guided by the enduring principles of faith, love, service, and resilience. We wish to repair the world of education & work opportunities for our young people, ensuring every project & event fosters a supportive, inclusive, and inspiring environment for all.
VALUES - What We Care About?
FOUNDER
Karen Bryson
Karen Bryson is an Educationalist and BBC trained broadcast journalist. After a fifteen-year career in the media, she re-trained as a teacher and taught across the higher, further and primary education sector before taking up leadership roles in the education sector as a consultant.
In 2007, Karen set-up the ‘not-for-profit' company, (Bright Futures), rebranded in 2015 to Bright Futures 4 All. Her strategic and operational work here, has included addressing educational under attainment amongst diverse school-aged children from deprived inner-city areas. This work has taken her to, The White House in 2010, at the invitation of America’s First Lady, Mrs Michelle Obama. She also founded Hillel Bright Futures Trust. Her passion and focus is providing education and well-being services to some of the neediest in our community (especially BAME families, with neurodivergent young people.
Trustee
Anthony Neal
Anthony Neal is experienced in management accounting in the private and public sector. Since 2005, he has covered budgeting, business modelling, financial reporting, tax accounting, payroll accounting, capital accounting and final accounting. He is a resident in Croydon from 2010 and was the Director of Crystal Palace Primary School 2013-2017.
Trustee
Richard Ough
Richard is an international development economist and founder of Flywheel Economics, where he leads economic reform programmes across Africa and Asia. He brings over 18 years’ experience advising governments, developing value-for-money frameworks and supporting inclusive, community-centred growth.
Alongside his professional expertise, Richard brings lived experience as the father of an autistic son. Navigating the UK SEND system first-hand has shaped his commitment to neurodiversity, early intervention and family-led support.
He joins the Hillel Bright Futures Trust board to strengthen strategy, governance and impact, and to help ensure children and families with additional needs feel seen, supported and empowered.
Patron
Bridget Myers-Reid
Bridget is a historian, specialising in Early Modern history(MA). She is an author of historical fiction. Trained as a professional dancer at London's Laban Centre, Bridget has worked within the performing arts now for over 20 years. Her love and passion for the arts and young people have led to her running community-based youth events and dance classes within the community. Her proteges have appeared in major West End musicals (The Lion King, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Matilda). Bridget is currently co-founder of Way Ministries church. Bridget also worked for 20 years as an employment specialist in community mental health outreach work. She rehabilitated clients in Westminster, Camden and Islington.
Mentor
Patrick Clarke
Patrick Clarke OBE is the Director of Network Operations at UK Power Networks, where he manages the safe delivery of electricity to over eight million customers. Having joined the industry in 1978 as an apprentice, he rose through the ranks to become an Executive Director. A dedicated mentor, he co-authored Made in Britain to inspire BAME communities and was awarded an OBE in 2012 for his services to youth mentoring. He holds an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering.
Volunteers
Sandra
Volunteer
Nefer
Volunteer
Jessica
Volunteer
Liz
Volunteer
Joel
Volunteer
Sara
Volunteer
Gabryle
Volunteer
Teddy
Volunteer