East of England: News

SSE - East Students win funding boost

Two students from SSE-East receive funding backing from two funding partners.

Student Social Entrepreneurs Receive Funding Boost

A student from the Eastern Enterprise Hub’s School for Social Entrepreneurs – East has won the backing of two separate funding organisations and is set to receive start up grants from both UnLtd and the Stepping Out Foundation.  A second student following the school’s one-year Fellowship Programme has also received funding backing from the Stepping Out Foundation.

Student entrepreneur Olive Quinton has won start-up investment from both UnLtd and the Stepping Out Foundation to help set up social enterprise, Lofty Heights to address both fuel poverty and youth unemployment.  The new social enterprise will employ disadvantaged youngsters to provide a loft clearance service for elderly and disabled people to allow them to take advantage of the free insulation schemes on offer.  Also, receiving a start up funding grant for his venture from the Stepping Out Foundation is Phil Pethybridge who is setting up a social enterprise hub, Neon Street.  The new venture will encourage young people to build a career in the music business through an on-line portal, mentoring and training.

UnLtd is a charity which supports social entrepreneurs - people with vision, drive, commitment and passion who want to change the world for the better with packages of funding and support.  UnLtd Regional Manager, Claire Stewart commented: “We are really excited by Lofty Heights – this is a prime example of an innovative social business idea that will be a powerful force for good, by providing real employment opportunities for young people, produce tangible environmental savings and address the serious issue of fuel poverty for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Stepping Out was founded in 2010 by social entrepreneur Craig Dearden-Philips to support leaders in public services to create social enterprises and mutual and has established the Foundation to assist early stage social entrepreneurs develop their businesses.  “Social entrepreneurs really do make a difference economically and socially and we are keen to support new social enterprises as they set out and support them a critical stage.” commented Craig Dearden-Philips.

Celia Hodson, Chief Executive of the Eastern Enterprise Hub welcomed the awarding of funding to two of the students from EE Hub’s School for Social Entrepreneurs – East; “This is not only a fantastic boost for two of our students but it also signals recognition for the potential of our students by two of the UK’s most respected social enterprise funding bodies.”

Since opening in January 2011, the EE Hub has established 38 enterprises with a combined turnover of £21.5m.