Inspiration and Resources for those supporting young people taking part in the Challenge
In this section we have provided some resources for those of you supporting young people taking part in the Challenge, including:
- Background information, including ACRO, case studies & activities
- Information on Social Enterprises & the Triple Bottom Line
- Resources (video clips & links) to interest and inspire young people aged 11-18
- Resources for you to learn more
- Examples of Welsh social enterprises
- Top Tips for a good video / PPT
In this Challenge we want young people to give some thought to their beliefs and aspirations, to challenge themselves to do something unique, and have a go at something real that could genuinely have a positive impact. We want them to believe they CAN make a difference and gain a better understanding of what social enterprises are achieving.
ACRO
There is an opportunity for them to reflect on their personal growth & skills development (not part of the judging criteria). Asking the following questions may be helpful:
Attitude: Your motivation and determination - what did you learn about yourself/yourselves?
Creativity: Did you have to think and re-think ideas? How did your thoughts develop?
Relationships: What did you learn? Did you work with partners / seek outside help?
Organisation: Think of an example where you had to be organised?
Supporting the Curriculum for Wales
The Start Something Good Challenge helps to develop ambition, creativity, enterprise and ethical trading supporting the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales. It helps to develop teamwork, literacy and numeracy skills, IT competences, as well as soft skills such as self-belief, confidence building & resilience.
A Q & A session - Mrs Jacqui Parry, teacher at Ysgol Glan y Môr, Pwllheli, shares her experiences of participating in the Challenge
Why did you get involved?
I feel that there aren’t many opportunities for secondary school pupils aged 11-16 to take part in external enterprise activities. The topic fitted in well with one aspect of the BTEC Level 2 Business curriculum, studying not-for-profit businesses, and it was fun doing something different in the lessons.
How did you use the Challenge?
We took a holistic approach, partly following our instincts. There was also a need for structure as Business was a new subject for the Year 10 pupils and their knowledge was limited. Lessons were designed based on the challenge resources on the Big Ideas Wals website. We spent half a term understanding more about the 3rd sector and developing ideas. The layout of the challenge on the website was good to engage young people and the requirements were clear. The pupils enjoyed the video clip in particular. The ‘Inspiration & Resources’ section was invaluable for gathering ideas & developing a better understanding of the range of social enterprises that exist.
How did you proceed & what was the pupils’ response?
They worked in groups from the beginning, choosing their own group, with 2 to 6 pupils in each one. One pupil chose to work on her own. It was an enjoyable experience for the pupils as the work was different to a typical structured lesson. Once they had understood the concept & had initial discussions, developing the idea was straightforward and most didn’t need further guidance. This style links well with the new Curriculum for Wales, and with the Four Purposes.
How did the pupils benefit & what skills did they develop?
At first, they didn’t understand much about social enterprises and we viewed a range of short videos which we also discussed. They learnt about the Triple Bottom Line which is not an easy concept! Working in their groups they developed good communication skills & their transferrable skills grew, especially ICT.
This challenge brought pupils closer together after the lockdown period and we saw their confidence growing.
The regional winner from our school went on to take part in a business programme over the summer holidays for young people to develop their own business in their local area. I feel that Start Something Good gave her the confidence to apply for and undertake the course.
Pupils’ response to the judges’ feedback?
All groups received constructive feedback from the judges and responded well to the comments; they were excited to receive it!
Will you take part in this year’s challenge?
Yes! It was a success last year and the pupils were really engaged throughout the process. We’ll be introducing the challenge to this year’s Year 10 in a ceremony presenting certificates to last year’s participants with the aim of gaining maximum buy in & engagement from the outset. We are also keen to have a Big Ideas Wales role model involved in the process.
In the future, we may build the Start Something Good Challenge into the WBQ Skills Challenge and there’s also potential to develop other opportunities to introduce it into the new Curriculum.
Social Enterprises
Social enterprises care passionately about the world we live in. Their motivation for setting up a business is to meet a need. They are REAL businesses, making money, but the big difference is that the profit goes back in, to do even more good.
In 2020, there were already more than 2,000 social enterprises employing 55,00 people and contributing over £3 billion to the economy! (That’s £3,000,000,000!)
By 2030 it is hoped that social enterprises will be the business model of choice for entrepreneurs delivering solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges
The Triple Bottom Line
At the heart of every Social Enterprise (and what sets it apart from a traditional business) is something called the Triple Bottom Line. This consists of the 3 P’s of People, Planet, Profit.
When generating ideas, encourage young people to think about these questions:
People: Who/what do you want to help? How will you make them your priority? What impact will your idea have? Employee wages and conditions?
Planet: Is your activity low impact? How will you consider the environment in your actions?
Profit: How will your idea make money so you have a wage? What will you do with the money to help grow the business? How will this in turn continue to benefit others?
We would like to see evidence that young people have been mindful of these values.
Case study - an activity for young people
How is Prom Ally helping others & how has the business considered the 3Ps (people, planet & profit)?
Social Business Wales Awards 2021 provides welcome therapy for the social enterprise sector | Wales Co-operative Centre (One to Watch Award – Prom Ally 1.46m)
Resources (video clips & links) to interest and inspire young people!
The following are produced by external organisations.
Why is actor Michael Sheen holding a spanner and what are social enterprises? (5m29) *warning: contains humour!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly1xnf6Kx_s&list=TLPQMDUwMTIwMjH9ssal36aqxw&index=2
Michael Sheen wants to know where you buy your socks… (1m32)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2vxSHkrcns&list=TLPQMDUwMTIwMjH9ssal36aqxw&index=1
Coming up with ideas - lots of ideas here to inspire you (7m47)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A58W-MHdpw
Scottish pupils present their social enterprise activity in a most creative way! (5m) *scroll down https://www.socialenterprise.academy/scot/young-people
The Positive Impact of being a Triple Bottom Line company - “if more and more businesses become Triple Bottom Line businesses, then the world is going to be a much better place” (4m)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxMtQSo9CHA
2020 – a brief but compelling view in music and images how the actions of one group towards People, Planet, Profit made a huge difference (3m55)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3No4cxhe-FY
22 awesome social enterprise ideas (worldwide)
Seeing examples of social enterprise in action is one of these best ways to get inspired for what you might want to create. Ideas will always start small but will stem from our social conscience
https://www.thesedge.org/socent-spotlights/22-awesome-social-enterprise-business-ideas
Big Ideas Wales resources & links
Social Enterprises / Mentrau Cymdeithasol (2m37)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ3iwTEtu70
Big Ideas Wales role model - Menna Jones, Antur Waunfawr.
https://vimeo.com/491647630/0f896b67e5 Cymraeg (17m14)
https://vimeo.com/491646020/6190dceb6b English (7m36)
Go to the Big Ideas Wales website for more Role Model profiles!
Enterprise Catalyst – online quiz to find out how enterprising you really are!
https://businesswales.gov.wales/bigideas/online-resources
Enterprise Troopers - Resources for Upper Primary / KS3
Enterprise learning activities walking you through setting up and carrying out a real business! https://businesswales.gov.wales/bigideas/resources-upper-primary
Enterprise Troopers - Amazing examples and case-studies from Welsh schools
Several of the business ideas are Social Businesses – have a look!
https://businesswales.gov.wales/bigideas/enterprise-troopers-case-studies
Big Ideas Wales Enterprise Introduction
Explains ACRO skills & more
Resources to help YOU learn more
Transforming Wales through social enterprise
2020 – a new and bold action plan designed to rebuild, grow and strengthen the social enterprise sector and enable it to address the challenges facing Wales.
The Social Enterprise Academy schools programme
Supporting young people to set up and grow sustainable social enterprises in their schools and communities.
Why should children learn about social enterprise?
British Council - compelling rationale for all educators / parents.
https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/why-should-children-learn-about-social-enterprise
Social enterprise in schools: a Resource pack for teachers - Building better lives (pdf)
British Council - activities to increase student/teacher knowledge of social innovation and entrepreneurship, whilst also developing core skills for learning, life, and work.
https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/social_enterprise_classroom_resource.pdf
Social Enterprise in Education Scotland
Interesting look at the Scottish education landscape – using social enterprise to support and enhance other activities already happening in the school or classroom. This is the school arm of Social Enterprise Academy.
https://www.socialenterprise.academy/scot/social-enterprise-in-education
Tycoon Enterprise Competition – 2021-2022 (Business for Good)
https://www.tycoon.com/
An excellent article on GenZ
https://www.socialchangecentral.com/gen-z-the-new-generation-in-social-entrepreneurship/
Examples of Welsh Social Enterprises:
Be The Change https://empower-bethechange.org/
Rainbow Biz https://www.rainbowbiz.org.uk/
73 Degree Films https://www.73degreefilms.com/
The Good Wash Company https://goodwash.co.uk/
Arfon Timber https://www.arfontimber.co.uk/
Canolfan Felin Uchaf Centre https://www.felinwales.org
Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog http://cwmnibro.cymru/ (Cymraeg)
http://cwmnibro.cymru/#en (English)
Galeri Caernarfon https://www.galericaernarfon.com/amdanom-ni.html (Cymraeg)
https://www.galericaernarfon.com/eng/about-us.html (English)
Award-winning social businesses in Wales Social Business Wales (scroll down)
https://businesswales.gov.wales/socialbusinesswales/
Top Tips for a good VIDEO
Your video should be approximately 3 minutes in length (approx. 10GB)
Capture your video in LANDSCAPE, not portrait.
It does not have to be ‘high tech’ - just capture it on your phone so ask someone to hold the camera/phone for you or use a tripod. You could even create an animation if you prefer.
Make sure you include all the criteria in the Challenge
Top Tips for a good PRESENTATION
Your power-point should be no more than 8 slides in length (approx. 30MB)
You can include photos/video/sound if you wish
Make sure you include all the criteria in the Challenge