stories
From language to laser cutters – a unique style of learning with Bizzie Bodies
From language to laser cutters – a unique style of learning with Bizzie Bodies
Written by
UnLtd employee
UnLtd position
Bizzie Bodies is a platform that provides innovative, creative learning experiences for young people while improving community cohesion in Rotherhithe, South-East London.
The founder, Emilie Mendy, describes the social venture's transformation over the past year from what could be likened to an after-school club, into a community platform, ""We work with young people, families, funders and creative professionals to develop a future generation of leaders – fostering key skills learning in traditional and emerging technologies, civic behaviour, reappropriating the common, and building stronger communities.""
Bizzie Bodies designs and continues to update its creative programmes for children of primary school age, all the way through to young adults.
Language to laser cutters – a unique style of learning
A multi-lingual designer, Emilie Mendy founded Bizzie Bodies to initially use technology and the arts as a way of sharing languages. Through music, performing arts and other creative activities, the social venture inspired young people to learn a foreign language or share words from their own. In a borough where 60% of children and young people are Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic background (Southwark Council), this approach encouraged an open sharing of culture.
The social venture has since evolved to provide an extensive range of programmes, each stimulating creativity and encouraging self-expression. They support young people to explore current and emerging design techniques and technologies, from traditional art and design to coding, virtual reality and robotics.
The programmes include access to digital design-ready computers and innovative equipment such as laser cutters, 3D printers, drones and more.
The open, multi-disciplinary approach is distinct from the UK school curriculum. Woven into courses for young adults are transferrable skills like project planning and risk assessment, which prepare them for considering careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). Often working with young people from backgrounds underrepresented in STEAM industries, these activities can help them to recognise their abilities and potential.
Many of the courses aimed at children culminate in local exhibitions which bring together families, funders and local artists to appreciate the artwork produced by the young people. These events create opportunity for improving community cohesion and celebrating the cultural diversity in the area. The exhibitions often highlight culturally significant events such as Chinese New Year and Black History Month.
In the last year, up to 300 children and their families took part in activities, programmes and skills development provided by Bizzie Bodies. Contributions from local funders and paid-for workshops have enabled many of the activities to be free or subsidised, making them accessible to all.
The impact of COVID-19
With the closure of schools, the pandemic upturned the typical school experience. For working parents, the home, office and classroom became one. As a social entrepreneur and a mother, Emilie empathised with what other families were going through. Bizzie Bodies provided a space to be heard for parents and their children, when their physical living space felt squeezed.
Through creating new partnerships, Emilie was able to adapt in-person activities so that they could be accessed online. The Raspberry Pi Foundation was one of thirty-six organisations that Bizzie Bodies worked with over 2020 – the charity donated laptops so that more children could be supported from home.
Emilie says, ""We will always be looking to build new partnerships. When you are bringing communities together, you must do it. It doesn't make sense to be in conflict or competition - collaboration is the key to moving forward.""
The Social Enterprise Support Fund
In November 2020, Bizzie Bodies received a grant from the Social Enterprise Support Fund. Instead of just focusing on surviving the pandemic and sustaining the service they were providing, the grant gave Emilie the chance to step back and reflect on what she truly wanted to deliver through her venture.
""The Social Enterprise Support Fund helped me to reimagine Bizzie Bodies, to reinvent it, and to move forward with the community and open up what we do to more young people.""
2020 felt like the right time to review the role Bizzie Bodies had in the wider community. How could the social venture strengthen existing relationships, as well as support more young people and families in the area? Emilie is clear that ""young people are at the heart of Bizzie Bodies"", and this focus helped to guide her when refreshing their theory of change.
Bizzie Bodies encourages open dialogue in every session, meaning young people feel safe and free to express themselves. Emilie explains how the ""language of care"" is embedded into their learning experiences, so that young people experience compassion, empathy and being listened to.
With funding from the Social Enterprise Support Fund, Emilie has been able to develop a new course which will support young people in learning to lead using the language of care. Looking forward, Emilie sees this course as developing the future leaders society needs.
The Social Enterprise Support Fund re-opens for applications on Monday 28th February 2022. To find out more, visit socialenterprisesupportfund.org.uk .