FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Real work. Real references.
A real head start.
Complete genuine projects for charities you care about. Earn verified references tied to what you actually delivered — and build a portfolio that speaks for itself.
THREE STEPS TO A VERIFIED REFERENCE
STEP 1 — CHOOSE
Find something you actually care about
Browse real opportunities at charities across your area. Pick the cause and the project that genuinely interests you — not the one that just fits a box.
STEP 2 — DO
Complete a real, scoped brief
The charity gives you a clear brief with a defined outcome. You deliver real work that they actually use — on your own schedule, around your studies.
STEP 3 — GET
Earn a verified reference
Once the work is complete, the charity provides a professional reference tied to that specific project — stored in your profile and ready to share with anyone.
WHY IT'S DIFFERENT
Not a box to tick.
A story to tell.
Most work experience ends with a generic letter and a line on your CV that says "I helped out." Trailstones is different. Every project you complete generates a specific, verified reference — written by the organisation that used your work — describing exactly what you did and how you did it.
That is what stands out to universities, apprenticeship providers, and employers. Not the fact that you volunteered, but the evidence that you delivered something real.
Chosen by you, not assigned
You pick the charity and the cause. That genuine interest shows in the work — and in the reference that follows.
A reference tied to the actual work
Not a template opinion. The organisation describes the brief, your contribution, and what they did with the output.
Fits around your studies
Projects are scoped and time-bound. You work on your own schedule — no commuting, no fixed hours, no conflicts with school.
YOUR PROFILE
Everything you build stays with you.
Every project you complete is logged in your Trailstones profile alongside the verified reference from the organisation. Over time, you build a portfolio of real, evidence-backed work — not a list of things you claim to have done.
Whether you are applying for university, an apprenticeship, or a first job, your Trailstones profile gives you something specific and credible to point to.
A portfolio of completed work
Each project is timestamped and stored with a summary of what you did — concrete evidence you can share in any application.
Verified references from real organisations
Written by the charity or business you worked with — an external voice that carries genuine weight with admissions teams and hiring managers.
Skills employers actually ask about
Communication, problem-solving, meeting external deadlines — the kind of experience that is hard to fake and easy to verify.
Ready for UCAS, apprenticeships, and interviews
Cite real completed projects in personal statements, with a verifiable evidence pack to back up every claim you make.
WHAT YOU DO
- Browse and choose opportunities at charities you connect with
- Complete a real, scoped brief with a clear deliverable
- Submit your work and receive honest, specific feedback
WHAT YOU GET
- A verified reference tied to a real deliverable
- Honest feedback that helps you improve — not a rubber stamp
- A growing portfolio and a solid, evidence-backed start to your career
HONEST FEEDBACK
Feedback that actually helps you grow.
Generic praise is everywhere. What is rare — and genuinely useful — is specific, honest feedback from someone who saw your work and cared about the outcome. Trailstones references are written by people with a real stake in the project.
That means they tell you what you did well and where you can improve. Not to grade you, but to help you get better at something that matters. Over time, that kind of feedback is what shapes the kind of professional you become.
Ready to get started?
Your school or college connects you to Trailstones. Once you are in, the opportunities are yours to choose.