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Archive for the ‘Hub News’ Category

WEEKLY TOP FIVE STORIES FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD

Friday, July 9th, 2010

(Drum playing with expectancy sound) Tintirinti titi tititin….. drrrrummm

Today, we are starting a series of weekly TOP FIVE STORIES picked from the media in the outside (of The Hub) world.

1.- WORLDTV.COM

If bloging gave us the opportunity to spread our words all around, now this new resource makes possible to create our very own on-line TV.

2. – The Bonnington Squat in London.

Could this be the key to solve the housing problems in the city? An experience worth watching…

3.-The paradoxes of Degrowth

Are democracy and individual rights compatible with the ‘managed contraction’ of the economy? wonders Duncan Green.

4.- An encouraging one to cheer us up!

And last but not least… a bit of a weird one to make you all laugh:

5.- LOST LONDON

Happy fridays!!

San Fermin

San Fermin @ London Fields all day tomorrow!

HUB- World Cup

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

The world Cup 2010, South Africa, began on Friday with 32 teams qualified for the final tournament.

World Film Collective, one of the organizations we (the interns) interviewed as part of our wee research is now  presenting  Word Cup Reporters, 35 young people from the townships around Cape Town who are documenting the events of the World Cup from their own perspectives! That could be a good way to get to know what’s going on in Cape Town, from its people’s perspective.

Check out their exciting reports at http://worldfilmcollective.com/SA2010.

Also wanted to let you know about THE SWEEPSTAKE. Nestor organized the whole thing and 16 people got involved. Here the validations between members and teams:

HUB MEMBER

TEAM

NAIARA PORTUGAL
ALEX SPAIN
NESTOR ITALY
JOHN ARGENTINA
JOHN. B. FRANCE
RACHEL MEXICO
TOM BRAZIL
ALECS SERBIA
ANDY PARAGUAY
LAURA URUGUAY
ALICE GERMANY
JOHNY ENGLAND
ZDRAVKA USA
MARIE HOLLAND
PETER IVORY COAST
RICHARD CHILE

But as this World Cup does also have another social face, here a film highlighting how South Africa has spent a record amount on hosting this tournament, yet evicted many people and communities in the process, and denying public services and basic rights of the South African constitution. (Watch clicking the above link)

Hub News: “Israeli campaigner, career booster and filmaker celebrated at Ogunte awards” from socialenterpriselive.com

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Jobeda Ali of Fair Knowledge

Jobeda Ali of Fair Knowledge won the Social Business Leader 2010 award at last night’s Ogunte women’s social leadership awards, in conjunction with the RSA. Ali is pictured with speaker Dr Rachel Armstrong. Picture by Jody Kingzett

A woman who campaigns for family rights in Israel, the founder of a company which increases the career prospects of women in top organisations and a woman who helps under-represented groups get their voices heard all picked up prizes at the Women’s Social Leadership Awards 2010.

The awards, which have three prize categories, were held in London last night and organised by social leadership support organisation Ogunte, in conjunction with the RSA.

  • The Campaign for Social Change award was won by Irit Rosenblum, founder of New Family.
  • The Leader in the Workplace award was won by Samantha Collins from Aspire Companies.
  • The Social Business Leader of the Year prize was taken home by Jodeda Ali, who set up Fair Knowledge.

Servane Mouazan, director of Ogunte – which launched the awards four years ago – said she has noticed several trends with this year’s entrants.

‘They have been much more explicit about their social impacts, more forthcoming with talking about how exactly they are earning money through products and services and, in general, we received more interest from international organisations,’ she said.

Ali, who is a School for Social Entrepreneurs graduate said she was ‘very happy, but surprised to win the award’

She said: ‘I don’t feel like I really fit the definition of a social entrepreneur put across by organisations like the School for Social Entrepreneurs or Social Enterprise London and I think my social impact is really hard to measure, so I never expect to win these awards.’

She was motivated to start the organisation, which currently makes 20 per cent of its income from events and consultancy, after a stint in film making from 2004 to 2007 and 12 years in the public sector.

‘I got a lot of interest as a film maker, but when I pitched an idea relating to the World Trade Organisation and was asked to do something about forced marriage instead, because of the way I look, I was angry.

‘People are stereotyped and restricted and because of this no one gets a true view of what’s going on in the world. I want to change this, to create “fair knowledge”. So we try to open up chances for people to do what they want to do in media and other sectors.’

Rosenblum, who founded Israeli organisation New Family in 1998, campaigns on behalf of the majority of people in Israel who fall outside the government’s definition of family and thus lack many rights that traditional families get. The organisation also tries to reunite families who are on different sides of the divide in Israel.

Samantha Collins, who was unable to attend, was praised for her work with 10,000 women in UK companies to advance their career. She also works with companies to ensure they understand the benefits of respecting and promoting women. She recently set up the Aspire Foundation for business women in the UK to mentor and coach women in the developing world.

Mouazan said: ‘I hope women in the audience, and all women, will be inspired by the talent and the audacity of the winners and the speakers.’

WORM POWER!

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Seth and Maria (founding team of the Hub in Oaxaca, Mexico) are cycling from Land’s End (South England) to John O’ Groats (Scotland), starting in 4 days.


Maria_Seth_biking

They will be pedaling 1000 miles to raise over 1000 pounds for SiKanda, a start-up organisation that they know and that they believe in. They were the first members of the Hub Oaxaca in Mexico.

“The project we’re supporting is a new initiative using worms in an ingenious way to generate economic independence for some of Mexico’s most marginalized people.

SiKanda supports families who work off the municipal rubbish dump in Oaxaca. Every penny we raise will go to a project providing young people on the dump with worm composting units so they can collect organic waste and turn it into compost to sell. Through this they will gain new skills, new independence and a vital extra income that will help them take their next steps towards a better life. It’s a brilliant micro-enterprise working for those who are literally feeding off the bottom of Mexican society. SiKanda will also be using the funds to launch an educational campaign about waste.”

Go HERE for their brand new blog and donation page! Learn more about the fantastic project they’re supporting in Oaxaca, and LEND YOUR SUPPORT TOO!

TODAY, they are having the leaving drinks/ campaign launch at 6pm at the Hub ( Islington), where they will tell us more about it.

Hub Events we are hosting in April

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

There is literally so much going on at The Hub in April, we don’t know how you’re going to fit it all in!

Hub Cinema | Paradiso Series
Thursday 1st April, Hub Islington, 7-9pm

It is time for the second film night. For those who missed the last one, our film nights are held once a month either at Kings Cross / Islington Hub and is a very chilled evening for you, your family and friends to come and watch a free film that has been selected by previous attendees. We are aiming to include as many genres and film styles as possible, so if this one is not quite your thing, keep your eyes open for next months.

This month we are showing the film Perfume.  Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born in the stench of eighteenth century Paris, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world’s finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he tries to preserve scents in the search for the ultimate perfume.

Please bring your own food and drink for the evening. Last time we all shared food, so if you are up for that, then just bring along whatever you feel like. These events are free, but please RSVP so we have an idea of numbers: amy.warner@the-hub.net.

Hub Workshop | Come Sing
Wednesday 7th April, Hub Islington, 6.45-8.30pm

Hub member Idit Gold is founder and the musical director of Singinginlondon.com, providing singing clubs around the capital. This workshop demonstration is about the joy of singing and the fun of sharing the experience. It will take you through a vocal warm up and voice projection. Afterwards, you’ll be able to choose between singing solo, duet, harmonizing or just singing a chorus line.

The workshop is open to all with no audition whatsoever! So come along and try it out.

Attendance is free to Hub members and their guests with request for a voluntary contribution towards costs. Please confirm your space by emailing idit@singinginlondon.com with the subject: Booking – Come Sing

Hub Clinic | Get More Done without Going Crazy
Thursday 8th April, Hub Kings Cross, 1-2pm

Personal productivity tips for getting things done and managing stress. In this training we will be brainstorming time management tips, looking at some effective systems for managing your workload and learning how to “centre” under pressure. Ideal for busy people who care about what they do, their sanity, and relationships.

Run by Hub Member Mark Walsh from Brighton based Integration Training.

This event is free for all, but bring some lunch. For booking email: eleanor.whitley@the-hub.net

Hub Workshop | Ubuntu Chocolate
Thursday 8th April, Hub Islington, 6.30-9pm

“Ubuntu” is an African concept that represents sharing and generosity. At this event, Ubuntu Chocolate would like to share our love of good chocolate with Hub members in an educational and enjoyable evening.

Hear about how we run a flat-structured and versatile “starfish” organisation. Learn about the chocolate making process from bean to bar, and the steps involved to making mouth-watering chocolate creations. Indulge in a tasting experience, and try some of our quirky sumptuous bars. Finally get your fingers dusted and make your own truffles then try out some chocolate cocktail concoctions.

Ubuntu Chocolate specialise in making delicious dark chocolate treats from high quality cocoa and natural ingredients. For more about Ubuntu Chocolate visit our website: www.ubuntuchocolate.com
Attendance is free for Hub members and £4 for non-members, spaces are limited so please RSVP to islington.hosts@the-hub.net with the subject: Booking – Chocolate, or call 020 7841 8900.

Enterprise Manifesto Camp
Monday 12th April, Hub Kings Cross, 6.30pm

‘Manifesto Camps’ are for entrepreneurs to discuss face to face how entrepreneurship can be better promoted and supported in the UK. Hub Kings Cross has been housing Manifesto Camps throughout March, and continues to do so in April. Hosted by Enterprise UK, they are happy to swap drinks in return for Hub member’s ideas on subjects around entrepreneurship.

For more information on these events and to sign up visit here: http://manifestocamp.eventbrite.com/

Hub Breakfast | Scoping your market with Michael Norton
Tuesday 13th April, Hub Islington, 8.30-10.00am

Michael Norton knows a thing or two about setting up new businesses in the social sector, bringing more than 25 years experience and a string of successful ventures to the table. By his own admission, not understanding the market for your product or service is a key failing for most social entrepreneurs. Join us for breakfast and we’ll explore how to do this simply and effectively.

Attendance is free for Hub members and £4 for non Hub-members, please email islington.hosts@the-hub.net with the subject: Booking – Hub Breakfast, or call 020 7841 8900.

Hub | Charity Quiz Night
Wednesday 14th April, Hub Islington, 6.30-9.30pm

With Hub Host Holly both running the London Marathon at the end of April and loving quizzes, what better way to combine the two things than holding a fundraising quiz night! You’re invited to get a team together, come up with a sassy name, start the revision and decide amongst yourselves who will answer the ever so tricky tie-breaker question. Questions will cover all the classics; general knowledge, sport, music, history, food & drink, and of course, much more. There will also be a small bar and some tasty food to keep energy levels up, as well as a prize for the winning team. All money raised on the night will go towards Holly’s marathon charity, Children with Leukaemia.

Entry costs just £2 per person (no more than 5 in a team please!). To register your team please email holly.lambert@the-hub.net

Hub Partnership event with Net Impact | Green Business Leaders: Roadmap to 2015.
Thursday April 22nd, Hub Kings Cross, 7pm

Jeremy Leggett, Chair of Solar Century; and Scott McGregor, CEO of Camco, lead two of the most well known UK companies specialising in renewable energy and carbon management.
With weeks to go before the UK General Election, they will be sharing their personal views on how the politics of energy and climate change will create business opportunities over the coming 5 years, how companies – private and public – can be entrepreneurial in the sustainability space, and where in the world to expect low-carbon business leadership in 2010-2011.
We’ve made 5 free tickets available for Hub members and there is also set up a 25% discount for Hub members who sign up before 1 April.

For details and to sign up, go to http://2015roadmap.eventbrite.com. For details of other upcoming Net Impact events, see here www.netimpact.org.uk

London International Documentary Festival
Saturday 24th April, Hub Kings Cross , 11am – 4pm

Hub member’s London International Documentary Festival have a commitment to ‘Conversations in Film’ which creates a unique kind of film festival. The films within LIDF are the starting point for a series of programmed ‘conversations’ – panel discussions and workshops – that bring diverse audiences together to go beyond the films themselves in order to engage with social, cultural and political issues in the company of policy makers, academics, journalists and other cultural commentators.

The festival runs from the 23rd April – 4th May 2010 and a day of film, photographs, artistic support sessions, and discussion will happen at Hub Kings Cross on Saturday 24th April. For more information on content and tickets see: www.lidf.co.uk/lidf2010/ or contact grace.pattison@lidf.co.uk

Hub Celebration | Kids First presents Playground Partnerships
Wednesday 28th April, Hub Islington, 1-2pm

Playground Partnerships, the award winning flagship scheme run by Kids First Trust, is a cross curricular programme that helps children develop essential skills to enable them to grow into responsible adults.  Set up as a design competition, primary school children all over the UK are invited to redesign their play spaces via a design portfolio and potentially win the money to build them.
In 2009 Kids First Trust had to decrease the available prize fund from £150,000 to £20,000 due to the collapse of our corporate founding partner Woolworths Plc.  We are really proud to announce that despite this, schools and children have not lost their appetite for the scheme!
Come and join us over lunch for a viewing of the portfolios that we have received this year (including this years winners chosen by children that have previously participated in the scheme) and give us your feedback.
This event is free to all (donations to Kids First Trust will be more than welcome though!)

Hub Feast | in partnership with Food Stuff
Wednesday 28th April, Hub Kings Cross, 7pm

The programme of Feasts for 2010 is well under way now and this month, we’ll be looking at Guerilla Food. Across London, there are people running underground restaurants, growing things in weird and wonderful places, cooking in unpredictable locations and using food in ways previously not explored. If you want to meet these people and find out a bit more about what they’re up to, we invite you to come along.

As always, you can expect to sit next to people who love food, cooking it, talking about it and most of all, eating it. So bring both an open mind and a dish to share to eat with people that love all things food. An informal evening with a very loose agenda, we hope to create a feast where conversation about food, life, love and everything in between, can flow freely.
If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Eleanor at Hub Kings Cross (eleanor.whitley@the-hub.net) or Holly at Food Stuff (holly@foodstuff.org.uk).

————-
Coming up in May:

14 May: Kid I wrote back and Little Show Off at the Hub Islington – Spoken word and performance: London’s up-and-coming monthly open-mic night.

Project of the Week: SOKO Kenya

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Once upon a time, the Hub was hosted by a beautiful lady called Joanna. Her smile, her grace, her charm and her kindness wowed us all. And her dedication to Ethical Fashion (she also worked for the Ethical Fashion Forum) was an inspiration. Which was why it came as no surprise that one day in 2008 she said that she and her equally lovely husband Dave were going to go to Kenya to found and manage SOKO Kenya. SOKO would empower the quality tailors and people of Kenya by creating sustainable, fair employment for the export market and offering training and skills to some of Kenya’s poorest people.

Just under a year later and they’d gone. And things were tough (as these things always are!). But they perservered, stayed true to their vision and are currently standing on the precipice of equality, change and achievement, ready to leap off into success!

ASOS is the UK’s biggest online fashion retailer and they have just launched a partnership with SOKO to present their first ever Africa Collection. Not only does this mean increased visibility for the amazing work SOKO is doing, but people will actually be wearing clothes created as a result of the project and supporting the market in Kenya.

They’re doing a blog about the collection so check it out here and be as inspired as I was by the interest free loan SOKO offered one worker to enable him to cycle to work (in 20 minutes) instead of walk (90 minutes) everyday. (This to me is the special thing about SOKO, it doesn’t just chuck money at a problem and hope it will go away. It empowers people through support, opportunity and quality leadership.  And as a result, change is happening.) Also check out the piece on SOKO in this weeks Grazia magazine below.

And come Feb 21st, be the first one on the ASOS site ordering your new wardrobe for Spring.

Holly

SOKOinGrazia

The Hub | February Events

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Hurrah – February is upon us. I can even hear spring. Great events and happenings this month – check them out and pass on to your friends!

All the best,

The Hosting Team…
x

 lunch-in-a-box-heart-sandwich 

Hub Lunch | Of Love, Thursday 11th February
Hub Islington, 1-2pm

Valentine’s Day! Kitsch, flowers, candle-light, romance, love. LOVE! Uhoh.

A light-hearted twist on our weekly Sexy Salad Club – bring in food to share and we’ll spice things up a little, set the mood, dim the lights, put on that special album… 

 

This event is free! Bring food to share and you’re welcome to bring a friend. Any questions or marriage requests to alex.rinsler@the-hub.net

Hub Launch | Hand Views – Exhibition & Book, Tuesday 16th February
Hub Kings Cross, 6.30pm

Handviews is released annually: a portrait of people’s opinions through their hands about their current lives and wishes. Hub member Ana Garciaphotographed in January in the Hub for the Handviews book and exhibition. Hub members who took part can now see their hands on the walls of Hub Kings Cross and in the Handviews book.

This event is free! Get in touch if you plan to attend: eleanor.whitley@the-hub.net

  

The Hub

  

  

  

  

Hub Members Council | Monthly Meetup, Wednesday 17th February
Hub Islington, 5-6pm
The Hub Islington Members Council is a monthly meeting open to all members. We talk about things we would like to see going on in the Hub and discuss with Hosts how best to get make them happen. We have a monthly budget of £100 and 16 hours of time, so we can use of this to prioritise new exciting projects.

 

All Hub Islington members are welcome, if you plan to attend please email alex.rinsler@the-hub.net

Professor David Nutt

Hub Pioneers | Professor David Nutt, Wednesday 17th February
Hub Islington, 6.30-8pm

Professor David Nutt was until November 2009 Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Since being asked to stand down by the Home Secretary he has now set up the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs, with four of the five members of the ACMD who resigned with him last year. Its mission is to make public the evidence on the relative risks and harms of drugs without regard to political sensitivities.

The circumstances around his dismissal fired national debate not just about the impact of drugs, but also the boundaries between science and politics and the role of Government in our society. He will join us to speak more about his work and take questions.

The Hub Pioneers series is an opportunity to meet people at the forefront of social change who may not necessarily be seen as social entrepreneurs.

Attendance is £4 for Hub members and £5 for non-members – space is strictly limited so please email alex.rinsler@the-hub or call 020 7841 8900 to confirm your place.

BIS logo

Hub Office Hours
|with the Public Sector Innovation Unit from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills,
Tuesday 23rd February

, Hub Kings Cross, 2-4.30pm

 

A representative of the Public Sector Innovation Unit (PSI) from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will be working out of Hub Kings Cross from 2-4.30pm the 23rd Feb. The interests of the PSI Unit lie in exploring the opportunities to connect innovative entrepreneurs with government, in order to support fresh thinking within the public sector in both policy making and service delivery.

Hub Kings Cross, The PSI from the Dept of BIS and, Volansinvite you to come and connect to use this exciting opportunity to be in touch with a representative of the UK Government. This representative will be joined by a member of the Volans team who will be able to share insight on how partnerships between entrepreneurs and the private and public sector can be catalytic and mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

This is an informal drop in session. If you have any questions please contact Eleanor at Hub Kings Cross (eleanor.whitley@the-hub.net). Please note: the UK Government representative is not responsible for the funding arrangements for social enterprise and so will not be at the Hub to advise on this. However, they will try, where they can, to point you in the right direction.

clearlyso
Hub Partnership | Investor Speed Dating in association with ClearlySo, Tuesday 23rd February
Hub Kings Cross, 7pm

Social enterprises have two minutes to pitch to each of our carefully selected investors. Investors will then have two minutes to ask questions about your business, capital requirements and expected financial and social returns. After this more formal part of the evening ClearlySo hosts drinks at the bar downstairs… often where the real connections are made!

If you are interested to take part please contact Simon Evill from ClearlySo on 020 7281 7913.

 

The Feast at King's Cross... 

Feast | Hosted by Hub Kings Cross & Food Stuff, Wednesday 24th February
Hub Kings Cross, 7pm

On the last Wednesday of every month, Food Stuff and the Hub host a feast. The invitation is for people who love food, cooking it, talking about it and most of all, eating it, to come along with both an open mind and a dish to share to eat with people that feel the same.

An informal evening with a very loose agenda, we hope to create a feast where conversation about food, life, love and everything in between, can flow freely. In February we’re very excited that Andy from Mindapples (an online campaign that encourages us to explore the five a day we need for our mental health) has put the date in his diary and will be thinking about the dish he’s going to bring. Whether you’re keen to talk more about Mind Apples, or a million other things, we look forward to seeing you there.

If you are interested in joining please get in touch with Eleanor at Hub Kings Cross (eleanor.whitley@the-hub.net) or Holly at Food Stuff (holly@foodstuff.org.uk)

 

Starsuckers

Hub Screening | Starsuckers, Thursday 25th February
Hub Islington, 7-10pm

 

Premiered in the 2009 London Film Festival and heralded by the Sunday Telegraph as “Thrilling” and “Revolutionary”, Starsuckers exposes the toxic effect that the media and celebrity are having on our world. Filmed in secret over two years, Chris Atkins (of award-winning Taking Liberties) and his production team posed as tipsters, making up stories for the tabloid press and seeing how far they could get. Chris will be joining us to introduce the film, and for Q/A at the end.

Tickets are £4 to Hub members and £5 to non-members. Space is limited so email alex.rinsler@the-hub.net to reserve your place, or call 020 7841 8900.

.

I want to ride my bicycle…

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

I want to ride my bike.

And potentially, you can too. I have just received a letter notifying us of a planning application to put 19 bikes outside the Hub as part of the London wide bike hire scheme. This is REALLY cool! And as much as I’d love to say the Hub organised it, we didn’t. Sometimes, good things just happen.

Nothing much else to say now. I’m going to write to the council in support of the application. And ask them to make sure there is a nice pink bike in there especially for me (!). So let’s just see what happens…

To keep you excited until we know more, here is a picture of my beautiful old shopper (which I got from BikeWorks). Isn’t it lovely?! It has a flat tyre at the moment so if anyone can help me rectify that, get in touch!

Holly

xxHost's heart Bikes!