Community Leaders of the Future Competition
In recent years EBC has become one of region's the leading organisations in delivering innovative, creative and challenging competitions for young people which motivate them to learn, develop new skills and gain an insight into the world of work, business and commerce whilst showing their creativity, and entrepreneurial skills and flair. Community Leaders of the Future is the latest inter-school competition to be run by EBC and sees local schools paired up with third sector organisations in their communities. Teams of young people have been given an initial seed investment fund of £100 and challenged to turn that cash into larger pots of money for the benefit of a third sector organisation in their area. The money they raise will go to their selected third sector partner organisation. As part of their partner selection process each school was visited by representatives from various third sector organisations in their area, recruited by EBC, who were invited to 'make their pitch' to the young people.
Red House Academy gained an insight in to the work of Age UK Sunderland, the Grace House Hospice Appeal, Oblivion Youth Group, NE Sport Community Interest Company and Southwick Golden Gloves.
Pupils selected the Grace House Hospice Appeal as their partner and they are now working to turn their £100 seed fund into as much money as possible for the appeal. Their involvement in the programme is being funded by the City Council's North Area Committee through Strategic Initiatives Budget monies.
Community Leaders of the Future participants at Houghton Kepier chose Houghton and District Centre for the Blind as their partner organisation and are holding their first fundraising event at the end of March 2011. The pupils are also well on the way to completing the first of two qualifications being delivered as part of the project - an NCFE Level 1 Award in Exploring Enterprise Skills thanks to a special event held in the Bethany Centre.
Houghton Kepier's involvement is being funded bt the City Council's Coalfields Area Committee, again through the Strategic Initiatives Budget.
Their involvement in Community Leaders of the Future is being funded by the city council's West Area Committee through its Strategic Initatives Budget.
At a citywide level Community Leaders of the Future also involves pupils from Barbara Priestman School and Technology College. There pupils received presentations from Age UK Sunderland, Sunderland YMCA Youth Hostel, The Bunker music venue and C.H.A.N.C.E. community project from the East End.
They selected the YMCA to support and are now busy turning their seed investment fund into a larger pot of cash for the benefit of their third sector partner. Barbara Priestman's involvement is being funded by four of the city's area committees - East, West, North and Coalfields. Pupils from both Barbara Priestman and Academy 360 attended a joint event to launch their involvement in Community Leaders for the Future in Februrary 2011, held at the Bethany Centre, Houghton. Once each school selects their third sector partner they have up to 20 months to raise as much money as possible through creation of a mini enterprise and taking part in three special enterprise market days.
The qualifications the young people are gathering evidence for are the NCFE Level 1 Awards in Exploring Enterprise Skills and Demonstrating Enterprise Skills. You can read about them by using this qualifications link. Community Leaders of the Future sees young people gaining qualifications, experience of becoming entrepreneurs, the world of work and an insight into how they can help local organisations and get involved in their work. Community Leaders of the Future sees third sector organisations getting access to a pool of young volunteers, extra cash raised by the young people and the chance to develop the community leaders ofthe future. Everyone's a winner! You can find out more about the programme by downloading our programme brief. If you want to get involved please contact: Chris Vickers Assistant Chief Executive Phone: 0191 516 6411 Fax: 0191 516 6412 Mobile: 07812 974 962 Sarah Butler Business Liaision Manager Phone: 0191 516 6411 Fax: 0191 516 6412 Mobile: 07812 974 956 Or you can email us on our dedicated email address: communityleaders@hotmail.co.uk The programme is being funded through Sunderland City Council’s Strategic Initiatives Budget thanks to support from the North, Coalfields, East and West Committees.
In recent year's EBC has become one of the region's leaders in running inter-school competitions that engage, motivate and inspire young people to develop new skills, increase their knowledge and demonstrate their creativity, innovation and entrepreneourial flair. You can find out more by visiting our competitions page. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER COMPETITIONS EBC HAS RUN Partnership in Action Education Business Connections (EBC) supports the partnership working of schools, employers and the community. We have a team of dedicated staff who deliver a wide range of work related learning and enterprise education programmes to people or all ages and abilities across Tyne and Wear and County Durham. See our news page for up to date information or go to our online calendar for future events. Copyright EBC: 2010-2012: All information stored in any form in the website about EBC projects, services and materials are the intellectual property of and copyright to EBC and must not be copied or reproduced without expressed consent from the EBC Chief Executive in written or electronic (email) form. Unit 22, North East BIC, Wearfield, Sunderland Enterprise Park (East), Sunderland, SR5 2TA, Tyne and Wear. Phone: (0191) 516 6411 Fax: (0191) 516 6412. |
Meanwhile Houghton Kepier School pupils met with four organisations from their area, all recruited by EBC, before selecting their partner. They were Durham Wildlife Trust, the YMCA at Herrington Burn, Age UK Sunderland and Houghton and District Centre for the Blind.
Both Red House Academy and Houghton Kepier School pupils also took part in the programme's launch event in December 2010 when they got the chance to develop their entrepreneurial skills through a host of fun-based activities including EBC's Selling Ice to the Eskimos Challenge. 
In the west area of the city Academy 360 pupils met up with three third sector organisations working in their area, following recruitment by EBC, to select their preferred partner. They were Durham Wildlife Trust, Age UK Sunderland and the A690 Youth Initiative. 
Pupils selected the A690 Youth Initiative as their third sector partner and are now busy fundraising for the organisation.
By taking part in Community leaders of the Future participants will gain accredited qualifications which recognise their efforts and there are trophies to win as well. 