Up for the challenge?

Daniel, Tequila, Debbie and Juliet our fabulous Growing Talent Associates on the 24th programme were when delivering their social enterprise ideas to a panel of judges on Friday 25 October.

Having spent just a couple of days devising an idea to benefit their local community and a vulnerable demographic living there, all delivered unique ideas with passion.

Our judges arrived at 10.30am comprising head judge – Pedro from Pertemps, Judith from Churchill Services, Shennell – Growing Talent Graduate from the 5th programme and Anna – cheerleader for Growing Talent at JobCentre Plus.

Debbie presented Bright Futures a unique idea to bring Wandsworth Council, excluded youth aged 10-13, ex-Offenders and business together. Securing a void house from the Council, Bright Futures unskilled ex-offenders to learn skills in renovation – plastering, painting and decorating, tiling etc. They would get skills and links to employment opportunities in return for sharing their stories with the excluded youth to help them make the right decisions and not follow them on a negative path of crime. The youth would be mentor by business professionals as well and have exposure to key services including legal, financial and social.

Following Debbie was Daniel who joins Pertemps.

Based in Orpington where Daniel lives, Health Hotspot is a place for the community to learn all about the nutritional and cultural values of different diets from Vegan, to Clean, Sugar Free etc. Enabling them to make the right choices for their health as well as new friendships.

This is a cause close to Juliet’s heart having experienced both the disease, cultural attitude and stigma in her own family. Based in her home patch of Brixton, Juliet devised a programme to link music, dance, colour and joy to information and support for those living with the disease and their families. All prostrate cancer suffers and their families in Brixton would be welcome, but the focus was on the Afro Caribbean community as there, Juliet explained, it is treated as a ‘taboo’ subject.

Lastly, Tequila delivered her innovative ‘Take Action’. A plan to upskill low income parents with skills to transform their houses into homes. Giving their children a voice in sharing their opinions and views in changing their home. A starting point for empowering children. Working with colleges and companies like B&Q, parents will have skills and qualifications to secure better jobs and maintain their homes. Their children will become more confident and empowered.

Following all four presentations, the judges had the tough job of selecting just one winner to receive the £50 cash prize.

Check back over the coming weeks to see how the guys get on…..