Between 1519 and 1522 Juan Sebastián Elcano skippered the Victoria on a 42,000 mile journey through treacherous, uncharted seas to become the first ship to successfully navigate the globe. It was an epic journey, with only 18 of the original 250 crew successfully completing the trip.
This afternoon I will myself undertaking a similar journey, sailing the vast 2.1 miles between Greenwich and the Thames Barrier. I say ‘sailing’ – I’ll be on a boat with sails but I won’t have anything to do with piloting it. In fact I plan on sitting in the sun and having a couple of beers. A good way to start the bank holiday weekend!
Hope you have a super weekend too, and here’s this week’s news:
- You can now register your interest in our Fellowship course in London, which starts next May. It’s a nine month start up course that will help turn a social enterprise idea into reality. Anyone is welcome to apply.
- Pioneers Post took a look at three social enterprises putting bikes to good use, all of whom are either current or former SSE students. Wheelie good stuff.
- If you fancy getting some free one to one advice from the founders of Carphone Warehouse, Big Issue, Pret, Belu Water, or The White Company then take a look at Expert Impact, which matches social entrepreneurs with some of the UK’s highest profile entrepreneurs.
- ‘Does my organisation need to exist?’ is the question posed in the best piece that I’ve read this week: Lessons From A Failed Non Profit by Joseph Plummer.
- If your organisation has a Facebook page you can now add a ‘donate now’ button to it. Like. You need to link the button to another location where you can accept donations, however (e.g. your website or a Just Giving page).
- On Wednesday 23rd September North East Together will be hosting ‘Funding Social Change – Exploring Future Models‘ at Newcastle University. There are limited places and it’s likely to be oversubscribed, so book soon.
- It’s a bank holiday weekend so obviously it’s going to rain. A lot. If you’re looking for something to read while you’re tucked up inside you may find something on ‘The ultimate reading list: 50+ books that entrepreneurs should read‘. (I can recommend The Purple Cow by Seth Godin).
- Are you an evaluation expert? The Camden Community Centre’s Consortium (C4) are looking for someone to carry out an evaluation of Camden Connect, a corporate social responsibility programme on a freelance basis. The work needs to be carried out in September and October, and the budget is £2k. Contact Samantha Dodd at [email protected] if you are interested. (And come on our Measuring Social Impact course first as a refresher!).
- RBS are currently taking applications for their Skills and Opportunities Fund. A total of £2.5 million is available ‘ to fund projects in charities, social enterprises, community groups, state-funded schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland’. You can apply for a grant of up to £35,000.
- Finally, congratulations to SSE Fellow Lisa Stepanovic who has just secured £383k from Big Lottery Fund and additional £146k from Barclays to launch Ian Mikardo Xtra. Two years of fundraising and bid writing has paid off!
What’s on at SSE?
- An Introduction to Legal Structures, SSE London, 10th September
- Working with Corporates, SSE London, 11th September
- Measuring Social Impact, SSE London, 17th-18th September
- YSC Sustainable Leadership, SSE Cornwall, starts 18th September
- Sources of Funding, SSE Cornwall, 25th September
- Online Marketing Masterclass, SSE London, 9th October
