With election season underway several of the ambassadors have been speaking out about what they want to see from all political parties.
In a feature inside the Guardian, Lord Victor Adebowale outlined the social policies he would like to see from a new government. And in the Daily Express, Big Issue founder John Bird told readers what he was looking for from politicians. Meanwhile Gordon Brown visited ambassador Sam Everington’s Bromley by Bow Centre earlier this month.
Hot new products
In other news, Kresse Wesling’s company Elvis and Kresse saw its upcycled waste products reach new heights, with launches in Singapore and Hong Kong at new environmental boutiques.
The company will also be launching its arts line in Selfridges this month.
Speaking up
Sharing their expertise and encouraging new social enterprises, the ambassadors have been visiting projects and events all around the country. Lord Victor Adebowale took a trip to a care farm project in Worcestershire called the Good Soil project. This was featured in the Worcester News.
Claudine Reid spoke at a jobs fair in Croydon which focused on growing industries such as social enterprise and green business.
And at the end of the month, Kresse Wesling will be speaking at Deloitte’s Women’s Dinner, and at Oxford University on 29 April.
Daniel makes more rural connections
Ambassador Daniel Heery, who runs rural broadband company Cybermoor in Alston, Cumbria, has had an extremely busy few months mentoring young social enterprises, talking at events to encourage more socially enterprising schemes within the NHS, and setting up the new Independent Network for Cooperation Associations (INCA), which works to encourage more local broadband networks.
Last month Daniel gave a presentation on social enterprise and how councils could be more social enterprising with their websites at a Local Government Chronicle conference. Daniel’s expertise in social enterprise and broadband delivery is highly sought. He recently attended a meeting with the Commission for Rural Communities, Regional Development Agencies and other third sector organisations to discuss how to promote social enterprise in the delivery of faster, more efficient internet. His company then featured in the Commission for Rural Communities Rural Advocate report 2010 which led to mentions for social enterprise on both Radio 4 and Radio 5.
This is just a snapshot of Daniel’s recent work and media coverage. His personal commitment to inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs as well as next generation broadband is strong. He recently advised Miles Mandelson, brother of Peter, on his project Great Asby Broadband, based near Penrith.
Another new social entrepreneur who has benefited from his knowledge is Mia Chapman. Mia is founder of Girl Geeks, a social enterprise bringing together professional women in the North East’s technology, digital, science and business sectors. The aim is to keep talent in the North East.
Mia comments: “I was put in touch with Daniel through a contact and he was really approachable. I’m from the private sector and wanted to learn more about being financially sustainable and he was very knowledgeable in that area.
“We need more people like him to support young social enterprises. He’s connected me to other useful people and has said his door is always open. It’s reassuring to know.”
Many other social entrepreneurs are about to benefit from the Ambassadors’ wisdom as we announce the winners of our recent mentoring competition. Watch this space for more information coming soon!
For more information on starting-up a social enterprise or any other matters visit our new Advice section
