Social Enterprise in the Curriculum
Project title: Business Breaks for Young People
Background:
Bulwell Vision are working with Nottingham Business Venture and the Chase Action Centre in St.Ann's to develop a project to take forward Social Enterprises in schools and youth clubs. Social enterprises are businesses which trade in order to bring about social and environmental improvements. This is seen as having a positive impact in schools, particularly around the subjects of citizenship and business studies. It can be used to both introduce fun and enthusiasm into a school but also used to introduce social enterprise to pupils. It should also have a substantial impact on learning and possibly encourage children to go into business.
Project description:
The main purpose of this project is to generate an interest in business, develop communication skills for young people and to develop team work. It will give children a better understanding of self-employment. With the support of a business adviser young adults will be encouraged to form teams in order to establish companies that would offer goods or services that they considered are required by the community and that may be profitable. Each team will have a board of Directors and be responsible for a particular aspect of the company. This project has already been piloted in the West Midlands with positive effect in both urban and rural areas. This project will need to be developed with a range of partners. Local businesses will be encouraged to become involved and take an active part in the project.
Why is the project needed?
- Area 1 has high levels of poverty and disadvantage.
- Very few pupils achieve the standard level of GCSE qualifications.
- Very few pupils go into FE or HE.
- Area 1 ranks in the high list of priority of neighbourhoods.
What differences will it make?
- Teaches children about social and environmental purposes of social enterprises.
- Supports curriculum areas. In particular, citizenship and business studies.
- Gives children the opportunity to become engaged in a diverse range of learning techniques. Particularly participative learning. They will become aware of learning styles and what suits them.
- Gives children the opportunity to engage in wider social fabric and the community beyond the school walls. Encourages them to identify problems and think how business skills could offer solutions to problems.
- Social enterprises offer a range of skills and opportunities to pupils who may then go onto work for them or set up their own business. Will enhance their knowledge and skills if they go into the public, private, voluntary or community sector.
- Larger scale businesses want to engage with and be associated with these new developments. They are starting to realise the social and environmental implications of their work. 'Corporate social economy'.
Outputs and outcomes
- To deliver five projects in local schools, comprising of between eight and twelve young people.
- To develop a business enterprise programme that could be retained by the schools for future use.
- To direct young people to support agencies that could provide help in becoming self-employed.
- To raise young people's self-esteem and self-confidence.
For further information on this project please contact Elizabeth Asher, the Partnership Manager at Bulwell Vision.