Summer Academy social entrepreneurs plan Youth Commission after meeting new Minister for Third Sector

Written on 9-Feb-2009 by admin

Summer Academy social entrepreneurs plan Youth Commission after meeting new Minister for Third Sector

A group of 20 leading young social entrepreneurs plan a Commission for Youth Social Enterprise following the Big Boost Summer Academy. The five day residential event, funded by the Big Boost and led by innovation company ?Whatif! included a meeting with Minister for the Third Sector, Phil Hope MP and inspired the group to press for improved understanding and support. summer_academy2

The week long academy aimed to inspire creativity and learning amongst the young social entrepreneurs, to enable them to share experiences, learn from one another and help broaden the impact they have on society. As well as a visit to the Office of the Third Sector where the group was one of the first to meet with the new minister, the group also met social enterprises Greenworks, Accenture Development Partnerships and Chief Executive of the Big Lottery Fund, Stephen Dunmore.

The young social entrepreneurs are aiming to make a lasting impact by being a central part of the social entrepreneurship ‘revolution’; they hope that Commission for Youth Social Enterprise will play a key role in promoting social entrepreneurship in the UK.

Duane Melius, Big Boost Award Winner, who attended the academy, said:summer_academy1 “Going on the Big Boost summer Academy for me has been literally a Life Changing experience. Being in such a supportive environment with my peers has given me a renewed sense of self-belief and the tools I have been equipped with have brought fresh vigour and creativity to every aspect of my life.”

Josie Gosbee, Big Boost Operations Manager, said: “The academy helped highlight that we have started something great with the Big Boost: there is a culture of young people who really want to make a difference to the world - this needs to be nurtured and built upon.”