The NYA and NatWest believe all young people have the potential to thrive if they are given the right support and opportunities.
Young people are encouraged to identify their passions and build up the skills they need to become whoever they want to be.
NatWest Thrive is a movement for young people aged 8 to 24 and is designed to:
- instil confidence and develop goal-setting skills
- inspire young people to chase their dreams
- encourage the development of good money habits
The programme has been developed by specialist youth workers at the NYA in consultation with young people and their youth workers.
Through a series of face-to-face sessions youth workers deliver activities that incorporate interactivity, group discussion and coaching.
How does NatWest Thrive work?
NatWest Thrive recognises the importance of developing a growth mindset early in life, together with an understanding of how to manage money in order to live independently and fulfil your goals.
The initiative improves young people’s money management skills, confidence, wellbeing and resilience.
The collaboration focuses on uniting the NYA’s knowledge, network and experience of working with young people with NatWest’s mission to help one million young people change how they perceive their futures – giving them the self-belief in their ability to become whatever they choose.
The programme has already inspired over 1,100 young people to dream big, through providing inspiring role models, practical tools and the support of a youth worker to develop the life skills they need to pursue their goals.
The programme consists of 24 sessions, focused around three core themes delivered over a 12-week period:
- Own Your Vision: Who do you want to be? Get clear on your vision, understand your life goals and then take age-appropriate steps to get there.
- Money Talk: Money can feel like a prickly topic, but it doesn’t have to! Learn how to feel confident discussing money with family, friends and people you’re close to.
- Money Mindset: Discover any limiting beliefs around money that could stop you taking positive steps to improve your financial wellbeing.
What is the impact of NatWest Thrive?
Over the past 3 years we supported more than 10,800 young people at over 300 different youth clubs across the country and our independent evaluation from 2023 revealed the positive impact on their skills and confidence:
- 87% of young people enjoyed taking part in the programme
- 86% have confidence in their future
- nine in ten (89%) are now ready to plan and take action towards their goals
- 86% know how to get financial advice
- four out of five (82%) now know what success looks like to them and have a plan to get there.
Youth workers also reported that the programme opened up opportunities to have difficult conversations about the cost-of-living crisis and how to identify support.
Read the full evaluation report here
Toke’s experience
Toke, 18, NatWest Thrive participant from Active Horizons youth club in Erith, London explains how the programme spurred her on to study law at Bournemouth University with ambitions to become a lawyer.
”“I am so grateful to have been involved with NatWest Thrive as it has made me think about what my future could look like and inspired me to go for my dreams.”
TokeNatWest Thrive participant
Register your interest
Register an interest to deliver NatWest Thrive in 2026
Please complete the form if you’re interested in delivering NatWest Thrive this year.
You can now access a wealth of content for free on NatWest’s new NatWest Thrive webpage!
NatWest Thrive webpage includes a host of bite-sized learning tools and has been created in collaboration with youth workers and young people.
Designed as a free online resource for teachers, community partners, and parents, NatWest Thrive provides access to new, flexible, real-world learning content to engage young people at home, in the classroom or in youth clubs across the UK.
Content ranges from five-minute clips to full length lessons – using real-life role models and stories. NatWest Thrive is designed with the goals of young people in mind – whether it’s saving, career planning, or exploring entrepreneurship.
NatWest Thrive is available free to anyone (customers and non-customers) online across NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Ulster Bank Northern Ireland.
For more information on NatWest Thrive and how to sign up for full access to our free learning programme today visit natwestthrive.com
Youth Leadership Group
A Youth Leadership Group (YLG), formed of a group of young people from youth clubs delivering NatWest Thrive, ensures that the programme remains relevant and accessible to every young person.
The YLG provides feedback through focus groups and small workshops, providing insights and recommendations to inform the co-design and evolution of the programme.
”“It was a wonderful opportunity to talk to young people about both their financial wellbeing and future prospects. The interactive activities allowed for diverse engagement, enabling me to hold meaningful conversations with smaller groups. I left the session feeling very positive, eager to volunteer again and I would encourage others to get involved.”
CameronCommercial Banking Graduate
Volunteers in the community
NatWest employees are volunteering their time to support young people taking part in NatWest Thrive sessions in their local youth clubs.
The volunteers bring a wealth of experience to clubs and give young people the opportunity to engage with professional role models, face-to-face in a learning environment.
The NatWest Thrive Skills Matching Programme matches youth clubs with a NatWest staff volunteer who is passionate about making a difference in their community.
Whether clubs need help writing a bid, developing a marketing plan, improving governance or building a new website, the NatWest Thrive team can match them with one of NatWest’s expert volunteers who can provide between two and twenty-one hours of their time, online, absolutely free.
If you’re interested in finding out more, please complete our Expression of Interest form here.
NatWest Levy Scheme Apprenticeships
Working with NatWest we’re administering almost £3 million worth of training through the bank’s apprenticeship Levy Transfer Scheme, offering full funding of Youth Work apprenticeship training to employers to introduce approximately 200 qualified youth workers into the network.
Our dedicated Apprenticeship Officer can provide guidance and support on the administrative side to help you get set up. We’ll also be able to connect you with providers if you’re interested in either the Level 3 or Level 6 Youth Work apprenticeship course.
If you’d like further information please email: ThriveLevy@nya.org.uk
To express your interest, please click here to complete the form and we’ll be in touch with more details.
Tiger's story
Tiger joined the NatWest Thrive programme as one of the young participants on the pilot scheme.
