Continuing Projects

Aspire

In collaboration with the Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum (CECF), Aspire works with refugees and asylum seekers in the Cambridge area, matching them up with student "mentors" and meeting weekly in relaxed social settings. Primary objectives include improving English proficiency, increasing their chances of finding employment and settling into life in the UK.

Pato

Supporting entrepreneurs in rural Kenya, Pato works with UK-based charity NECT and the Mbaruk Field Studies Centre on a variety of projects to create sustainable, eco-friendly agricultural businesses. Two of our student team members travelled to Kenya over the 2009 summer vacation to witness work in action and plan future projects.

The Lavinia Project

Working in collaboration with microenterprise charities in Sri Lanka, this project seeks to enable women living in impoverished settings to produce hand-made cards for sale in the UK, enabling them to earn a sustainable income and improve their quality of life. We are currently in the process of preparing a business plan for this enterprise.

Take the Leap

In a series of fun-filled days at local community colleges, Take the Leap introduced over 120 Year 7 students to the basics of market enterprise through business simulation days. Where little or no business education currently exists, we aim to show students that enterprise is a viable career path that can be challenging and rewarding.

WinterWillow

WinterWillow is a sustainable business operated through WinterComfort for the homeless that seeks to train and employ service users in the manufacture of artistic and functional willow products, whilst equipping them with the skills necessary to rebuild their lives. Last year, we came second in the CU Entrepreneurs business plan competition (social enterprise stream), before going on to win £65,000 in a national competition. Check out our video (scroll to the right to find WinterWillow).
 

New Projects for 2009-10

Beginspace

Working in association with Citylife Ltd, SIFE Cambridge will join forces with up-and-coming entrepreneurs at Beginspace, a social enterprise incubation centre operating in empty retail outlets around Cambridge. We're looking to provide business support, mentoring and general volunteers to help the centre reach its full potential.

Alora Dressmaking

A business run entirely by Cambridge students that commissions bespoke special occasion wear (just in time for the May Ball season) from seamstresses in low income communities. Our programme aims to equip these seamstresses with the tools they need to develop and grow their own businesses leading to long term financial independence.

209radio

209radio (on 105FM), a not-for-profit volunteer-driven radio station exclusively targeted at the Cambridge City Community, is looking to set up a £20,000 / month lottery scheme. Proceeds will go to a variety of local charities and 3rd sector organisations as well as funding some of the core costs the radio station, which focuses on community development via the integration of ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, the homeless and other marginalised groups into the programme.

Sustainable Health Enterprises

Assisting a global startup social enterprise, Sustainable Health Enterprises, which seeks to educate, employ and empower women and girls in Africa (beginning in Rwanda) through microfranchising of sanitary napkin businesses. Go to www.SHEinnovates.com for more info.

And that's just the beginning...

If you have your own idea for a project that will benefit the community and help create economic opportunity for others, we'd love to hear about it! 

Get in touch to see how we can help turn your idea into reality...