Making social enterprise accessible

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Adrian Ashton on February 9, 2011 at 20:51

Hi Jon

 

as the risk of bursting a bubble or two, I'd suggest that rather than create a new matching network, that we make better use and encourage people to use existing such mechanisms: Unltd Connect, Social Firms UK and Business in the Community to name but three that are running such schemes nationally, and there will also be further ones that are already running at more regional and local levels as well...

http://unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=166&PageName=howyoucanhelp

http://www.bitc.org.uk/london/programmes/se_pilot.html

http://socialfirmsuk.co.uk/get-involved/private-sector-double-impact

 

 

Adrian

Permalink Reply by Jon Rainford on February 9, 2011 at 21:03

Hi Adrian,

 

Some interesting sites there and i'd agree some ground is already covered  but for me, all of the highlighted sites are very business focused and not at all friendly to your average citizen who may have some specialist skills and wants to get involved in local projects.

 

I know business networking is well covered through various portals but what to me is lacking is the personal, local approach of pitching in, developing personal networks of individuals who want to make positve change and  share skills.

 

The power from social business comes from the populus and in my opinion if we are to tap into the wealth of skills out there and to encourage people to get involved in needs to, in some ways not seem like they are doing another job but making friends whilst doing something positive with their time outside of their normal 9 to 5.

 

Jon

 

Adrian Ashton said:

Hi Jon

 

as the risk of bursting a bubble or two, I'd suggest that rather than create a new matching network, that we make better use and encourage people to use existing such mechanisms: Unltd Connect, Social Firms UK and Business in the Community to name but three that are running such schemes nationally, and there will also be further ones that are already running at more regional and local levels as well...

http://unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=166&PageName=howyoucanhelp

http://www.bitc.org.uk/london/programmes/se_pilot.html

http://socialfirmsuk.co.uk/get-involved/private-sector-double-impact

 

 

Adrian

Permalink Reply by Will Snell on February 9, 2011 at 22:15

Very interesting idea and I think there is scope for more individually focused sites, as you say. It's not dissimilar to the concept of microvolunteering - see for example http://www.sparked.com - this is a US site and currently focused on charities rather than social enterprises, but it could be built on (I think that Global Giving are thinking about launching a microvolunteering site along similar lines in the UK). 

 

Will

 

Jon Rainford said:

Hi Adrian,

 

Some interesting sites there and i'd agree some ground is already covered  but for me, all of the highlighted sites are very business focused and not at all friendly to your average citizen who may have some specialist skills and wants to get involved in local projects.

 

I know business networking is well covered through various portals but what to me is lacking is the personal, local approach of pitching in, developing personal networks of individuals who want to make positve change and  share skills.

 

The power from social business comes from the populus and in my opinion if we are to tap into the wealth of skills out there and to encourage people to get involved in needs to, in some ways not seem like they are doing another job but making friends whilst doing something positive with their time outside of their normal 9 to 5.

 

Jon

 

Adrian Ashton said:

Hi Jon

 

as the risk of bursting a bubble or two, I'd suggest that rather than create a new matching network, that we make better use and encourage people to use existing such mechanisms: Unltd Connect, Social Firms UK and Business in the Community to name but three that are running such schemes nationally, and there will also be further ones that are already running at more regional and local levels as well...

http://unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=166&PageName=howyoucanhelp

http://www.bitc.org.uk/london/programmes/se_pilot.html

http://socialfirmsuk.co.uk/get-involved/private-sector-double-impact

 

 

Adrian

Permalink Reply by Dominic Pinto on February 9, 2011 at 22:59

It sounds like the Spotlight is the one for you, and those you know, especially in connecting to those who need skills and expertise ...... it is a pilot, but the plan/expectation, subject to this year of testing, is that it is capable of being used any number of times.

 

I'm also - on a 'casual' trip down to Greenwich on a friend's 52nd birthday on Sunday - prompted by another Fellow to look at www.primethinkers.com. Googling prime thinkers + rsa gives a video clip and other related links e.g. to Kith & Kids, besides.

Permalink Reply by Jon Rainford on February 10, 2011 at 6:25

Sparked.com is definitely the sort of model i was thinking, much more user friendly and aimed towards exciting potential volunteers.

 

good to see the model out there being used but it would be great to adaopt and tweek a similar model to help harness the potential in this country. I also envision it being something that could be proposed to redundant professionals while they are seeking work to help them maintain their spark and skills and stop them falling into a state of apathy as I know (from first hand experience) has a tendency to happen.

 

Jon

Permalink Reply by Will Snell on February 10, 2011 at 8:55

Definitely. Let me know if you want an intro to the guys who run Sparked in the US.

 

Will

Jon Rainford said:

Sparked.com is definitely the sort of model i was thinking, much more user friendly and aimed towards exciting potential volunteers.

 

good to see the model out there being used but it would be great to adaopt and tweek a similar model to help harness the potential in this country. I also envision it being something that could be proposed to redundant professionals while they are seeking work to help them maintain their spark and skills and stop them falling into a state of apathy as I know (from first hand experience) has a tendency to happen.

 

Jon

Permalink Reply by David Boon on February 16, 2011 at 14:05

Hi Jon,

 

I agree that there is a need - although my angle would be to make it somewhat 'local' - to me there is a space for a social network focused on community - just as we have Facebook for friends and LinkedIn for work - I wouldn't use either of these networks for my local community but I think that if I was connected through eg. church and my local running club I could be exposed to all kinds of opportunities where I could use my skills to make a difference.

 

Likewise, I know a man locally who has been made redundant but is wanting to put his graphic design skills to use - this would be a great 'way in' for him and could lead to paid work too.

 

I have a bit of capacity right now and I'm seeking avenues to get myself plugged into the Social Enterprise space, so definitely happy to chat!

 

David

 

Permalink Reply by Jon Rainford on February 16, 2011 at 14:15

I like the local approach, I'd definitely be interested in chatting about how this idea could grow.

Jon

Permalink Reply by Servane Mouazan on February 18, 2011 at 10:18

You can also explore http://www.horsesmouth.co.uk/ and see how to create an exciting group there. this way you are also visible to other who might not know much about Social Enterprise and who will then discover a new way to do things!

Best wishes

Servane