Swindon Social Enterprise Network (SSEN) will hold its third “networking” event on Wednesday 24th April in the Workshed, Swindon. One of the UK’s largest social enterprises; Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), who run Swindon’s main leisure facilities, will talk about their “Generation Gains” initiative. Alongside GLL the community interest company; The Platform Project will present their innovative enterprise programmes aimed at young people who struggle to flourish within main stream schooling to become entrepreneurs.
The event will commence at 4.30pm with an opportunity to mingle with other attendees over tea/coffee/juice and biscuits. At 5pm a formal welcome, introduction to the event and update about the SSEN’s work will be delivered by a member of the steering group.
John Popowicz from GLL will present “Generation Gains”, a programme that focuses on two social issues: Helping young people previously not in education, employment or training (NEET) to become work ready while addressing isolation and loneliness in older people in the Swindon Borough. This inter-generational programme offers a variety of physical activities with social interaction for older people which is delivered by young apprentices employed by GLL. The programme has been running in Swindon since March 2017 funded by the Zurich Community Trust.
Sadie Sharp the founder of The Platform Project is focused on creating a generation of young entrepreneurs by transforming the way young people thrive by experiencing youth enterprise as an everyday way of life. In this talk Sadie will explain:
- Why she launched the organisation as a CIC social enterprise rather than a Charity.
- How she used a range of pilot projects as a way to test a few revenue income options.
- How she built up a proof of concept in 12 months in order to secure funding to launch trading youth enterprises.
- How she has identified the core skills of the project and their commercial application to develop a mixed revenue model.
- How she secured so much press coverage and partnership working so early on.The event will finish with a further opportunity to network and informally talk to John, Sadie and members of the SSEN steering group closing at around 6-6.15pm.
Places for the event can be booked here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/swindon-social-enterprise-networking-event- wednesday-24th-april-tickets-59769042816
