Our Partnership with Barclays
Family Action’s relationship with Barclays began over six years ago and has grown into a powerful collaboration that makes a real difference for families across the UK. Over the years, Barclays has supported us through initiatives such as COVID-19 emergency grants, LifeSkills Holiday Hubs, and the Toy Appeal.
In 2023, we began a strategic three-year partnership to fund vital Family Action services. This partnership focuses on supporting vulnerable families, helping them build confidence and develop essential employability and life skills. We’re delighted to have renewed the partnership for a further two years, allowing us to build on this strong foundation and continue delivering LifeSkills programmes across the country.
I believe working with my LifeSkills support worker impacted my life positively in many ways. I'm in a better place mentally, emotionally and financially.
Delivering Barclays LifeSkills
A central part of our relationship is delivering Barclays LifeSkills – the UK’s largest employability programme, designed to tackle unemployment and inspire millions of people to get back into work.
Through this programme, Family Action works alongside families and individuals to overcome challenges and gain the confidence and skills needed for a brighter future. We deliver:
- LifeSkills Open – Group workshops using a coaching based approach to build confidence, knowledge, and transferable skills.
- LifeSkills Intensive – One-to-one tailored support for people with more complex needs, helping them take their next steps on their journey towards training, volunteering, or employment.
Alongside LifeSkills, we also provide LifeSkills Assistance Grants, formerly known as Learner Support Grants, helping to remove and reduce some of the practical barriers that exist for our families to increase their opportunities to take their next steps.
Impact of our partnership
The impact of Barclays’ funding has been incredible. At the end of our three-year partnership, our outcomes include:
- LifeSkills Open: 1,713 LifeSkills sessions delivered, with 12,432 adult attendees
- LifeSkills Intensive: 100% of adults in LifeSkills Intensive reported a positive impact on their wider family
- Learner Support Grants: 1,465 grants awarded between 2023-2025.
Looking ahead
We’re excited to continue this journey. Over the next two years, we will continue delivering LifeSkills Open and LifeSkills Intensive, creating opportunities for those furthest from employment. We’ll also evolve our grants programme into LifeSkills Assistance Grants ensuring service users receive tailored impatcful support. Our aim over the next two years is to build on our success, expand our reach, and continue to support people to take their next steps towards employment, increased confidence and financial stability.
We’ve also developed an exciting pilot, that connects FamilyLine users to the LifeSkills Intensive Virtual programme. This step-across support helps people build on the help they’ve already received, boosting their confidence and motivation, developing practical employability skills, creating pathways to work, expanding social and professional networks, and supporting sustainable, long-term confidence.
Beyond LifeSkills
Barclays’ support doesn’t stop there. They have been one of our biggest supporters of the Toy Appeal, with involvement growing each year. Their teams also volunteer within our Services, including at our FOOD Clubs and take part in challenge events, showing incredible commitment to the families we support.
Together for Brighter Futures
With Barclays by our side, we’re helping families overcome challenges, build confidence, and unlock opportunities for a better future.
Recent highlights:
- In Q4 alone, we delivered 223 LifeSkills sessions, providing vital support to individuals building their confidence, skills and independence
- 370 people received a grant in Q4, helping to remove financial barriers and keep their goals within reach
- Barclays was a standout supporter of our 2025 Toy Appeal, donating over 1000 gifts.
