In my club we operate a Gliding Scholarship Scheme where we take around 6 students from the local comprehensive school and train them to solo each year with successful completion being 3 solo flights (sound familiar?). They can then go on to Bronze/LAPL(S) standard on an assisted scheme where we contribute around 50% to the cost.
At present we have 3 disillusioned ATC cadets under training, one of who has just solo'ed. They also drive our vehicles, just like 'proper' staff cadets did and, once solo, drive the winches.
As a former Staff Cadet (616) then C.I from 1959 to '64 it is, for me, particularly sad to see the way the Air Cadets (should now be Ground Cadets!) has gone, but the civilian clubs can have a lot to offer, especially if they embrace the need for some sort of positive assistance to the potential young pilots via grants, sponsorship and patronage from local businesses.