Post by Prateeksha Singh, Business & Operations Manager SSE Ontario 

There is a sense of clarity that arises from quite introspection, at least for me. No different is the case as I think of my experience in Calgary, Alberta attending the Social Enterprise World Forum in October.  I think instantly of the light hearted but sincere opening by Peter Holbrook, CEO of Social Enterprise UK and the poignant closing remarks shared by Pamela Hartigan, Director of the Skoll Centre of Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University’s Said Business School. These moments are important, at least for me, because they capture of the range of emotions and thoughts evoked by the conference. A quick glance around the room during sessions and I knew I wasn’t the only one- the feelings were pretty unanimous. As expected, the other speakers were also the crème de la crème, but I would be lying if I did not add that I was even more impressed by those attending and here are two reasons what I think that tells us about the state of this sector:

Continue reading →

by Miles DePaul

What’s holding social enterprise back from becoming the powerful force for good we want, and expect, it to be? It might be a lack of measurement, barriers to mainstream capital, opposing priorities across the sector, a general lack of awareness of social enterprise, inability to attract true transformative leaders to sector, the disappointment of consistent failure in the face of intractable problems, or the go-to answer: policy and political barriers. Yes, all true, but coming out of the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) last week in Calgary Alberta, I realized these questions were raised but not lamented, and instead conversations were about what’s catalyzing a clear new path forward for social enterprise in Canada.

Continue reading →

by Nikki Wilson

Friday afternoon and evening saw the graduation of the first London cohort from the Lloyds Banking Group Social Entrepreneur Programme and the crowning of our very first “Social Entrepreneur of the Year”. Jacquie Johnston-Lynch fought off stiff competition to win the award for her dry pub “The Brink”. To find out more watch her video along with those of the other finalists. Continue reading →

Working at the School for Social Entrepreneurs is a motivating, inspiring and challenging experience. Unlike many organisations our beneficiaries – or ‘students’ as we refer to them- are frequently in the office as our learning programmes are run from the training rooms within our building. This is great for me, as the person in charge of the coordination of the students, it’s great to get to know them personally and be able to put faces to names!

Continue reading →

Setting up a project on your own is an incredible challenge and over the past few months I have also been faced with a major personal obstacle to overcome. As the first day of the SSE course beckoned I was stuck at home trying to get used to being in a wheelchair. Despite the huge amount of work and excitement that had gone into setting up my project and in applying for the SSE course I was questioning whether I could really make it happen. I am so glad I kept with it  because just a week later and after a really enjoyable first few days ‘at school’ I am smiling, excited and back to my usual self, plotting, planning and dreaming of the future. Continue reading →