Superdrug, a health and beauty retailer in the UK, has unveiled an initiative aimed at empowering young care leavers by offering them the opportunity to build successful careers in retail.
The pledge was announced this week during National Care Leavers Week (28 October to 3 November).
The announcement forms what the company says is part of its mission to foster social mobility by providing life skills training and career support.
By 2030, Superdrug aims for care leavers to make up 5% of its workforce, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s overall social impact strategy.
Over 83,000 young people in the UK are in care.
Superdrug has partnered with the youth organisation Care Leaver Covenant, to help promote job vacancies within Superdrug and its sister brand Savers.
Through this collaboration, the retailer says it will provide a comprehensive support system for care leavers, including dedicated help with job applications, interview preparation and general career guidance.
“We’re incredibly passionate about supporting the UK’s young people and giving them the opportunity to develop themselves both personally and professionally,” said Superdrug’s People Director, Amy Davies.
“Our aim is not only to give care leavers the best entry into retail that we can, but also to help them grow and develop in their roles, so they choose to progress their careers within our businesses.”
The programme also offers foundational training in areas such as CV writing, financial literacy and personal development, skills Superdrug said are vital for both professional growth and personal independence.
This latest initiative is part of a broader social mobility campaign, Rise Up, To Level Up, which Superdrug launched last year.
Superdrug has expanded its reach to underrepresented communities, collaborating with women’s prisons on educational programmes that support social reintegration.
Through a summer collaboration with non-profit organisation Drive Forward Foundation, Superdrug has also offered office placements to young adults leaving foster or residential care, giving them hands-on experience in a corporate setting.
“The placement has really helped my confidence,” said Carolyn, who recently completed a six-week placement with Superdrug’s procurement team.
“I’ve developed new skills, met new people, and increased my network.”