Let me see.

What are some of the things that jump to mind when I think about the journey of the Commission for Youth Social Enterprise so far, since I stepped on board to help with the interim report…

… To begin, there’s the thrilling undertaking of developing a new logo and website.  A new logo which delayed our new website. A new website which crashed our server along with my email account. All very “thrilling”.

So here I am blogging in Oxford at 9 am … but I’ll get to that.

First things first, so in chronological order: we delivered training days in London and Manchester, where we equipped our 20 rock-star-world-changing-whirlwinds of volunteers with research and interviewing skills and sent them off to put their new skills into practice; then there’s Juan the indoor-climbing-Venezuala-meets-Italy-meets-England-paparazzi-with-a-conscience intern out‘n’about filming youngsters in the UK today; and, we commenced a comprehensive literature review on youth and social enterprise, a project our exceptional-shining-breakfast-loving intern Jessica is compiling.

Our fieldwork to this date entails 10 completed interviews, 20 arranged and 30 interviewees in ready-steady-go mode, 80 completed online surveys and 2.5 Focus Groups wrapped.

We also took VOICE09 by storm. Nick the infamous-multitalented-and-charming coordinator and I headed to Birmingham and plunged into THE conference of social enterprise where we shook-up, inspired, campaigned, recruited and challenged (phew!) delegates and panels about the role ‘youf’ play in the sector. For your information only, we also productively popped round the UnLtd Birmingham office, shared a Chinese feast, mulled wine and passionate monks and failed at an attempt for Karaoke.

Today, I’m proud to introduce Oxford to the Commission. Despite the somewhat horrific 6.30am (yes, AM!) alarm, an 8am train, an 8.50am cab and 9.15am (hallelujah!) full English breakfast on Cowley Road in the little big heart of Oxford. This, in prep to meet with (drum rolls!) the Oxford Hub to (more drum rolls!) chat.

Admit it. You’re totally on the edge of your seat to find out what happened next, right? Stay tuned, watch this space, to be continued…

Over and out (for now)

Maor