At the NYA we’re proud to be working in partnership with NatWest to deliver the NatWest Thrive programme to young people across the UK. NatWest Thrive, has won Gold in the Best Educational Programme category at the 2025 Corporate Engagement Awards. This innovative educational programme focusing on financial wellbeing, has been co-designed and developed in partnership with the NYA, with the core principles of youth work at its heart.
The awards ceremony, organised by Communicate Magazine, took place on 17 September at London’s Shakespeare’s Globe and celebrated the country’s top corporate and charitable partnerships, sponsorships and social impact initiatives. NatWest and the NYA were recognised for their programme which has demonstrably improved young people’s learning, skills and financial confidence.
Judges praised NatWest Thrive for its innovative design, clear impact data and strong partnership model. The award celebrates what can be achieved when bringing together business, communities and the youth sector to create impact at scale.
NatWest Thrive helps young people in youth clubs develop a growth mindset and encourages them to pursue their goals by providing practical skills and building money confidence. The programme provides free training, resources and grants to youth projects to build on the trusted relationships youth workers have with young people.
”At NatWest we’re committed to financial education and have been supporting young people for more than 30 years. We are incredibly proud of our NatWest Thrive partnership with the National Youth Agency.
Winning Gold at the Corporate Engagement Awards is testament to the power of collaboration and our shared commitment to create a programme that not only builds financial confidence and future skills, but also delivers real, measurable impact for the next generation. This recognition inspires us to keep pushing boundaries and making a difference where it matters most.”
Marg JoblingChief Marketing Officer at NatWest Group
”Our collaboration with NatWest is revolutionary. A bank with a mission to support the next generation and local communities, has embraced a unique approach to empower youth work projects across the country.
They give young people the skills and ambition to thrive. This award recognises years of hard work in which time we’ve supported more than 10,000 young people and collaborated with hundreds of youth projects to improve financial confidence.”
Leigh Middleton OBECEO National Youth Agency
”Winning Gold is a real credit to the fantastic team at the NYA and NatWest who have developed the programme and worked hard to make NatWest Thrive a success.
At every step they have ensured the programme champions the core principles of youth work and that youth voice has been central in its development. The benefits of this can be seen with this brilliant programme and the positive impact it’s having with young people.”
Imran ChoudhuryNatWest Thrive Programme Manager, NYA
Since its launch in 2022, NatWest Thrive has become a benchmark for national financial literacy programmes to equip young people for future success. The Gold award underlines the programme’s significant role in supporting youth development across the country.
