Social Enterprise Challenge – Growing Talent 23!

Friday 23 August saw the end of the Orientation Week for Growing Talent 23 Associates. All that was left to do were the Social Enterprise challenge presentations.

You can see from the feature photo we were joined by (left to right) Anna from Job Centre Plus, Phil from Waterman Group, Head Judge Rosie from Mitie at Pwc, Heaven from Firmdale Hotels (a previous winner of this coveted prise) and Dan from Mitie at PwC.

The judges listed to three brilliant ideas:

Paint By Numbers – devised and delivered by Calum who is joining Waterman Group as Night Receptionist.

This was a community engagement idea whereby outline murals would be printed on agreed sites from shop security shutters to buildings and the community would ‘colour them in’. As they do this, the talk and learn from each other hopefully making friends. Revenue would come from sales merchandise,, activity books/kits, online sales with varied growth potential. Starting off in Catford before rolling out.

Renovo devised and delivered by Sharlene who is joining Waterman Group as Helpdesk Co-Ordinator.

Sharlene has a background in design, digital media and a passion for interior design. Renovo – Latin for Refurbish – tackles our throw away culture. Rescuing furniture that has been dumped, Renovo train young people over a 12 week journey to upcycle these items making them loved again. Selling finished items to hotels, online auction and display events would be the backbone of Sharlene’s idea. Starting off in Greenwich, Sharlene would role out and develop the idea through membership, design kits and workshops.

Untitled by Kingsley who is joining ISS as Waste & Recycling Specialist

Whilst Kingsley find public speaking excruciating due to his social anxiety, his grit and determination exceeds this, so he stepped up and delivered a great idea using his band background. Kingsley’s idea centred on a festival of music and the arts in a park in Catford. Igniting a passion in people would increase resilience and potentially reduce issues like mental health, crime, anti social behaviour and so on. Kingsley’s performance was made all the more inspiring as he did this with the most debilitating back pain.

After some deliberation, the judges finally agreed a winner! Drum roll…..

Sharlene for Renovo……. The picture above was taken by a proud, disbelieving Sharlene on her way home!

#yesyoucan #fakeituntilyoumakeit