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Posts Tagged ‘social innovation’

Growing Capital

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

We keep interviewing people for our project, although not as intensively as when we started with it. Yesterday we had a chance to chat for about 20 minutes with Seb who is part of the Capital Growth project working team within Sustain.

“The Capital Growth campaign offers practical advice and support to communities around London, and helps people get access to land to create successful food growing spaces.”

Aware of the growing interes in food growing, Capital Growth provides opportunities of training, helps getting lands, and puts in contact the people who already have running projects with those with an interest in getting involved and volunteer in one.

As Seb told us, this will not get food security, but does influence in the communities, as they get closer and also makes the youngsters familiarize with a world that otherwise would be completely unknown for them. What will take food security, is a new generation of rural food growers, that this kind of projects might encourage.

http://www.capitalgrowth.org/

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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.’

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SHINE unconference coverage

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Hi  everyone,

We are here to  tell yous lot how we  finished the last week and how we´ve started this  new week. The last week Naiara and me we were volunteers in the SHINE unConference. We hosted in the Hub Connect Points.  The idea of the points was to network within the people who attended the conference. The Hub points consisted on different points where the people could write their’ opinions, and that would “facilitate” getting the people to interact with each other.

The government listens

There were four Hub Connect  points, with four different topics and atmospheres. The first point was the give and get point gave the option to the people to write the thing  that they could offer and the things that the might need.

100_4179Give+get100_4201

The second Hub Connect Point, the one where Naiara and me expend most of the day, raised two questions: What does the new social capitalism mean? What would be the role of the Social Enterprises in it? Unfortunately our point didnt have so much expectation at first but we tried to make the people participate, and as it was the comfiest corner in the whole building (consisting on the beanbags from King’s Cross and a tea-table) it started to get more users as the day went on, and the people nedeed some rest…. siesta time @SHINE

The other ponit  made the next question to the assistants What would you like to say to the new goberment? The people wrote hundred of advices to the new goberment.This also had a quiet start, but ended up… well just look at the picture THERE–>

FINANCE And the final point was about financial terms and ways to get funding. Different entrepeneurs, would there write their views and experiences, and kind of funding they got for their projects; others, would just ask what they need.

In the evening we assited at the conference of the rural Hub was very interesting because they made all the assistant participate in the conference. The new contact we got from here, is Clear Village.

As a conclusion it was a fabolus day we met a lot of people with projects and ideas very interesting and I would like to mention the great athmosphere of the unconference.

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First steps in the social enterprise project

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

We’ve taken the streets with a camera for our project already, and have started doing the first interviews. So far, we’ve been at the British Library, and have talked to Peio from the London Basque Society, Dann from the Hub about Widening Communities, and to Megan from World Film Collective. A wee sum-up follow.

We finished our last week meeting Peio, Director of the London Basque Society. Peio came to see us at the Hub as he was curious to see the space. We were chatting with him for over an hour in the Hub-library. He told us about the new challenges that the Basque society is facing at the moment, the place it has in London at the moment, and the cultural events they have thought of doing for the next few months. It was a pleasure for us to show and explain what the Hub is about to a fellow Basque who’s already over 17 years in London.

Peio Astigarraga, Director of London Basque Society

The World Film Collective has not been working in London for too long, they have run 2 workshops so far, but as this is where their headquarters are for projects in Palestine, Cape Town, Russia or Brazil, we could only hold them on the phone, as they are sooooo busy. She explained us what their work is about, and will keep in touch. So hopefully, we will meet them sometime next week.

To finish with our previous week, we also went to see the anarchist action bookshop Freedom were we spoke to Dean, and we arranged a meeting with them; and to the Social and Cultural alternative Centre in Hackney, we were received there by one of the people who lives in the squat, and even though they told us about events, and workshops they organize, the option of taking part in our project was discussed on their last assembly and it doesn’t seem anyone is interested. We will look at other squats then!

Yesterday we started the week full of energy! With the proper video camera in hands, went to the Brittish Library in Euston Road where we met Gabrielle at the IP Centre. She showed us their space, explained the different resources and tools that they offer, and its links with the Hub. She was very helpful and even suggested new people we should contact.

After a wee break we took for lunch, we had tea with Dann (from the Fun Fed) in the Library to speak about their enterprise Widening Communication, which is about mainly short-film projects that they make with young people. We could record all of it with details, and it was very interesting but sadly the “Hub soundtrack” (constant kettle and microwave usage) interferences… just to make it more lively! ;-)

And to finish with the start of the week, we are now waiting a new phone call from Freedom as Dean was not in yesterday due to illness (let’s say need to stay in after drunken times, see hangover for further reference). Will see if he remembers to call us.

Freedom Library

That’s all from the project front, will shortly come back with news!

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Another world within London

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

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The new two interns from the hosting team writing today!

In the next couple of weeks we will be looking at different social enterprises and the chances that are available as an alternative in London. The main purpose will be to create a broader enterprise map.
We are planning to record most of the interviews, places, actions we will see as part of that research and show them all here, in order to share them with all of you.

As a taster, on Friday we will be talking to Megan from the World Film Collective, who make the making of films more accessible, by the images from mobile phones. Also, we will have an interview with Peio, from the London Basque Society, which organizes events in order to boost the Basque Culture in London, it also arranges a lot of events for that.
So, if you are interested in the outcome of this, then you can just follow us in this blog during the next weeks.

More to come in the next following weeks!

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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.

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And so the blogging begins…

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

I will start by giving you some facts.

I am Holly. I host Hub Islington. The Hub provides physical and virtual spaces for social entrepreneurs to meet, work and play. Having begun 4 years ago in an old derelict warehouse just behind Angel tube station, the Hub is now an international network of amazing people doing amazing things.

In London, we have spaces for working, meeting, hosting events, entreprenurs working towards a better environment, sustainable design solutions, coaching and consultancy, going back to the local, facilitating dialogue and much, much more. In Europe we have Hubs running Summer Schools full of inspiration, planning and action, co creation being used, shaped and developed, and learning being shared, transferred and expanded. In South America, new definitions of Hub are taking shape – local Hubs, creative spaces dependent on communities and opening an opportunity for conversation and resolution. And other networks expanding, using the potential of collective power, action and decision-making and helping to shape a new economy, a new way of working and a new way to live.

I am a Host and this means that I (along with other Hosts) run the space in Islington, facilitate collaboration between members, develop an exciting member led programme of events, explore opportunities for development both within the local community and beyond and do, well, much more than I could write here .

Members have asked us to start blogging about what we do and how we do it so consider this the official starting place of fulfilling that request. Over the coming posts you can expect to get an insight into the world of social entrepreneurship, what it’s like to be involved in a fast expanding international network of change makers and other thoughts, innovations, conversations and hey, maybe even the odd photo or two. If you want to find out more about the Hub, please email us at islington.hosts@the-hub.net and to get an idea of what we look like, look here

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