Now in his fourth year as Chief Executive, Iain Kirkpatrick is guiding Market Harborough Building Society (MHBS) towards a future deeply rooted in community impact. At the heart of this vision is the launch of Thrive! Forward—an ambitious, two-year programme dedicated to empowering young people across South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire.

As this exciting initiative begins to take shape, Iain explains more about the vision behind Thrive! Forward, how it fits into the Society’s long-term plans, and what it means for customers,  colleagues, and the wider community.

First of all, what is Thrive! Forward?

Thrive! Forward is a focused, two-year programme designed to support young people in our local communities not only by providing financial tools but by building emotional resilience, practical life skills, and employability support.

The challenges facing today’s youth are unprecedented and escalating. The numbers paint a concerning picture:

• 1 in 4 young people in England now live with a common mental health condition, up from 1 in 6 just a decade ago.
• Nearly 1 million young people are currently not in education, employment, or training—the highest in over ten years.
• Almost half (49%) of 16–25-year-olds say the cost-of-living crisis has affected them more severely than the pandemic.

These aren’t just statistics; they represent real lives and futures that demand more than awareness, they demand action. Thrive! Forward is our proactive, purpose-driven response, committed to making a meaningful and measurable difference.

How will Thrive! Forward make a difference?

Thrive! Forward is a proactive investment in the future of our communities. Built around three key pillars, mental health, financial education and resilience, and employability, it brings together expert partners to deliver real, lasting change for young people.

We’ve joined forces with established charities already making a difference to develop a unique programme:

• Wize Up Financial Education delivers interactive, hands-on sessions in schools that teach young people how to budget, save, and become financially independent. These workshops boost confidence and equip students with lifelong money management skills.
• Mind’s Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland and Kettering branches provide hybrid workshops focused on mental health. They help students manage stress, build emotional resilience, and develop coping strategies through practical, inclusive, and empowering sessions.
• Young Enterprise runs day-long sessions to help students get ready for the world of work. These workshops focus on practical skills like CV writing, interview techniques, and the basics of starting a business—building confidence and ambition in young people.

In collaboration with our partners, we’re taking the Thrive Forward programme out to secondary schools in the regions to deliver workshops, assemblies, and mentoring sessions. And our work goes beyond educational settings.

In partnership with the local Job Centre, we’re helping young people who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET) through a five-week programme designed to build confidence and open opportunities. The first cohort of ten participants have already completed their programme and the transformation has been remarkable. We’ve also learned a lot from the young people themselves, refining the programme for those that follow.

One participant shared:

“Before doing this, I was barely talking to people. Now I can have a good conversation with people, and doing this course has been brilliant for me.”

Another reflected:

“After the Mental Health session, I realised many people go through it—I don’t have to go through it alone.”

We’ve recently welcomed our second cohort of young adults and look forward to seeing their journey unfold over the coming weeks.

Who is helping to shape our Thrive! Forward vision?

Thrive! Forward is guided by a passionate network of partners and individuals committed to empowering young people.

Leading the charge is Kheron Gilpin, our Community Ambassador—a boxing champion, motivational speaker, and youth mentor. Drawing on his own lived experience, Kheron inspires students with a powerful message of hope and resilience, showing them that success is possible, regardless of background.

“Supporting young people on their journey to success is something I’m deeply passionate about,” says Kheron. “MHBS’s commitment to empowering youth aligns perfectly with my values, and together, we can make a real difference.”

What’s next?

This is just the beginning. Thrive! Forward will continue to evolve, driven by feedback from schools, partners, and young people themselves. We’re exploring ways to expand the initiative across a wider area and bring even more voices into the conversation.

As we settle into our new head office at Newcombe House, we look forward to hosting community events and youth-focused activities embedding Thrive! Forward into everything we do.

Ultimately, Thrive! Forward isn’t just a campaign, it’s a commitment to giving young people the confidence, tools, and support they need to take control of their futures.

Because when young people thrive, we all thrive!

Find out more: Visit https://mhbs.co.uk/thrive-news/

Watch:
Thrive Forward Intensive Video 

Thrive Forward: Schools launch