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Social entrepreneurs celebrated for tackling issues close to home
Social entrepreneurs celebrated for tackling issues close to home
Written by
UnLtd employee
UnLtd position
Social entrepreneurs celebrated for tackling issues close to home
Written by
UnLtd employee
UnLtd position
Last week we held People Transform Places - an event celebrating the impact Star People Award winners are having on places close to home. The Star People programme, run in partnership with Local Trust, has been running for over 5 years. In that time we've supported 900 people create social ventures to make their places even better to live in. Over nine in 10 of the social entrepreneurs supported through the programme feel they are better able to create social change. The event recognised and celebrated the impact that these social entrepreneurs were already creating. We heard about their successes and the challenges they'd faced on the way. One thing that came up time and time again during the event was the power of backing an individual. Supporting a person to take their idea forward is often transformational, boosting their confidence. Not only that, but it can also inspire others in the area to act and tackle issues they care about. Read on to find out more about some of the social entrepreneurs celebrated at the event.
Ezra created a range of t-shirts to promote 'unity in the community'. Based in Brixton, he wanted to celebrate the mixed race identities many people in the community shared. He started in 2011 with a line of t-shirts with slogans like 'Jamland', 'Jamirie' and 'Scotland Yard'. 'My daughter is mixed race and I wanted to make sure that people can celebrate their mixed heritage - and show there is humour in subjects others skirt around. I want to bring people together and promote positivity for our future citizens.'
Peter Myers is passionate about creating green spaces so that local people can get outdoors and keep active. He's part of the Grassland and Hasmoor Big Local making this happen - but also wanted to do something more. He set up Eastwood Park Pétanque Club through an UnLtd Award - creating a place where people could come together to play the sport, keep active and socialise. The club is open to everyone with set times people can play casually, no matter their skill level. 'Star People matters. It's enabled us to do what we're doing. Its let us put our ideas into practice and given us the confidence and support to know which goals are achievable and meet them.'
Nutritionist and home economist, Penelope, wants to teach people to eat well. She set up Little Bites Cookery School to share that message as early as possible. She teaches young children, some as young as two, cookery skills. 'For me it's about making nutrition fun and being able to create an impact at an early age.' She set up the venture after she realised that cookery skills weren't taught in schools in her area. She recognised eating habits set in at an early age, so the earlier you can get people cooking the more likely they're going to eat healthily.
Ian and his partner Lauren are creating a pick your own farm that is accessible to everyone - with raised flower beds and widened access. They're passionate about people knowing where food comes from and are building an education centre so that local children can learn about farming. 'We've lived on the farm for five years and wanted to work out our next step. We thought about the area, it's rural. There aren't many shops or buses, so local communities struggle to get access to good food. We wanted to change that. We have a farm shop so that people can come to buy produce. The education centre allows us to teach people about the value of good, locally produced food.'
Elise Pacquette wanted to find a way to support parents and their pre-teens begin to navigate the difficulties of adolescence. After she found that there were no courses out there supporting parents and children together, she decided to create her own. The course has grown through concept and pilot courses, and will now be offered in 4 locations in West London from September 2016.
Star People supports people living, working and volunteering in a Big Local area create a social venture to make their place even better. Find out more.