Local opportunities. Real first chances.

Talent is everywhere.
Opportunity should be, too.

First Chance brings young people and local employers together around genuine first opportunities. Our first pilot is taking shape in Croydon; a dedicated app is the next stage.

Explore the idea Become a founding employer
Amaya Jameel Perry, founder of First ChanceAmaya Jameel Perry · Founder
16–24 · Built for young peopleREAL · Employers who want to open doorsCROYDON · Where we begin
Why First Chance

Everyone starts somewhere.

How can you get experience when nobody will give you the chance to start?

Too many young people face that question when they look for their first job or work experience. First Chance gives 16 to 24 year olds a place to find genuine opportunities close to home, from local businesses willing to see potential before a long CV. We’re building this with our first pilot in Croydon.

01 / YOUNG PEOPLE

Find your opening

Find first jobs, work experience, placements and volunteering in your town, where you can take your first steps.

02 / EMPLOYERS

Give someone a start

Work with First Chance to offer meaningful opportunities and discover new talent in your community.

03 / LOCAL PARTNERS

Build the pathway

Schools, councils and community organisations can help make those connections stronger.

Two colleagues working together in a coffee shop
Somebody has to open the first door.
Ideas for the Croydon pilot

More than a job listing.

First Chance could help young people find a first opening, build confidence and show what they can do. We want to shape these ideas with young people and local partners.

01 / PEOPLE

First Chance Ambassadors

Young people who help us make First Chance useful in their town. Ambassadors could tell us what makes an opportunity worth applying for, introduce the idea at schools and community groups, and help local employers understand what a first chance really means.

  • Give honest feedback on the web pilot and its language.
  • Share local opportunities with peers, with support from First Chance.
  • Help shape events and conversations with employers.

This would be a supported, optional role with clear boundaries. Ambassadors would not vet employers, handle applications or act as safeguarding contacts.

02 / PROGRESS

Your Opportunity Passport

A simple, private record that helps a young person describe what they have tried and learned, even before they have much paid work on a CV.

FIRST CHANCEOPPORTUNITY PASSPORT · CONCEPT
My first steps
Skills I can showTeamwork · Reliability · Communication
Experience I've gainedProjects · Volunteering · Work experience
What I'd like to try nextMy own goals, in my own words

The young person would choose what to add and when to share it. Any employer confirmation would be clearly identified; nothing would be public by default.

These are ideas being explored for the pilot. Ambassador places and Opportunity Passports are not open yet.

Our story
Amaya
Jameel Perry
Founder, First Chance
Amaya Jameel Perry, founder of First Chance

Why I started First Chance

I’m Amaya, and I’m 17. When I started looking for part-time work and work experience, I kept running into the same problem: even jobs for beginners wanted experience. I applied, waited, and often heard nothing back.

“How do you get experience if nobody gives you the chance to start?”

When I talked to my friends, I realised I wasn’t the only one asking that question. There are young people ready to learn and work, but finding an employer willing to offer that first opportunity can be really hard — especially if you don’t have the right connections.

The existing job sites felt too big and clunky for what I needed. I wanted a simpler way to find local employers who were actually open to someone just starting out.

That’s why I started First Chance. I want young people to find genuine first opportunities where they live, with local employers who want to open that first door. Our first web-based pilot is taking shape in Croydon. The app is our next step towards bringing First Chance to other towns.

Join the movement

Every great career starts with someone willing to say yes.

Be part of the first chapter. We’re inviting local employers, schools and borough partners to help open doors for young people, starting in Croydon.

FIRST CHANCEFOUNDING EMPLOYER

Open the first door

Offer a meaningful first job, placement or work experience, with clear expectations and support.

FIRST CHANCESCHOOL

Connect potential with opportunity

Help students discover local options and share their voices as we shape the pilot.

FIRST CHANCEBOROUGH

Build opportunity close to home

Bring local employers, schools and community partners together around young people’s futures.

The First Chance Pledge
We believe potential matters more than experience. We commit to helping create meaningful first opportunities for young people and building the workforce of tomorrow.
Let’s take the pledge

Get in touch to explore how your organisation can take part in the pilot.

Local employers. Local schools. Lasting opportunity.Together, we can create a culture of giving young people a start.
Starting local

Your town. Your first chance.

First Chance is here, and Croydon is where we’re building our first live pilot. Young people can register now, and we’re working with local employers to bring reviewed opportunities onto the platform. Our next stage is a dedicated app that can bring this local approach to other towns.

Explore the pilot

For enquiries, email nj.firstchanceworks@gmail.com.

Every great career starts with someone willing to say yes.