Our purpose
The Life Cadets exists to help young people move forward.
We cannot change what has already happened in a young person’s life, but we can help improve their chances going forward by opening doors to opportunity, experience and possibility.
Our purpose is simple:
to help young people explore options, build confidence and resilience, and take positive steps towards creating their own life pathways.
Our approach
We work alongside young people, not over them.
The Life Cadets encourages young people to take responsibility for their future and to actively participate in shaping it. We help by creating opportunities for real-world exposure across a wide range of fields — including trades, professions, sports, arts, and creative industries.
We are structured and organised in how we operate, but we are not a regimented organisation.
Our role is to guide, support and encourage — not to instruct or control.
There are no uniforms, no ranks and no drills.
Why it matters
At some stage, every young person faces the question:
“What will I do with the rest of my life?”
For many young people — particularly those who are already disadvantaged or who have experienced disrupted education or early life challenges — forming a clear vision of the future can be difficult.
Many opportunities and career pathways remain unseen or unknown. Without exposure, it is almost impossible to know what might be right for you.
The Life Cadets helps young people gain insight into what is possible by providing access to real environments, real people and real experiences.
Life pathways and opportunity
Most careers and life pathways require some combination of aptitude, skills, training, education and experience.
For some young people, these requirements can feel out of reach — and doors may appear closed before they have even had a chance to try.
The Life Cadets works with partners across a broad spectrum of human endeavour to help open those doors. By introducing young people to different fields and opportunities, we help them understand what is involved, what might interest them, and what steps they could take next.
We believe that finding the right start in life is helped by:
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Determination and persistence
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Willingness to try and learn
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Planning and preparation
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Putting yourself forward and taking chances
In simple terms — if nothing is attempted, nothing changes.
Working together
The Life Cadets works in partnership with:
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Care homes and guardian organisations
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Educational bodies
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Industry, trade and professional groups
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Sports, arts and creative organisations
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Commercial and community partners
By working together, we create initiatives that give young people meaningful exposure to a wide range of potential life pathways.
What “Life Cadets” means
We use the term Life Cadets to mean life trainees.
Young people are not expected to have all the answers. They are encouraged to explore, learn, try and grow — and to keep moving forward.
Everyone’s pathway is different, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Our motto
Go for it.
These three words capture the spirit of The Life Cadets.
We encourage young people to believe in themselves, to be willing to try, to plan for their future, and to keep going even when things feel difficult.
Want to learn more or get involved?
If you’d like to learn more about The Life Cadets, support our work, or explore how you or your organisation could get involved, we’d love to hear from you.