SEIDs, a Brent-based project managed by Caritas Westminster, helps people who are unemployed or underemployed find decent, meaningful and dignified work through self-employment, training, social enterprise and living wage job opportunities. This September, SEIDs is offering local residents the chance to turn their social enterprise ideas into a reality with its Pre Start Up Business programme.
The London borough of Brent has been particularly badly affected by COVID-19. With many people feeling the financial and emotional strain of the pandemic, SEIDs is looking for individuals with big ideas to help improve the lives of people living in the borough.
SEIDs is partnering with the School of Social Entrepreneurs to deliver a 12-week programme for Brent residents who have an idea that will create positive social or environmental change in the local area. The programme will support these individuals to turn their ideas into a real-life project or social enterprise. The idea could focus on holiday hunger, social isolation, economic resilience, climate change or a different issue entirely, as long as it aims to create social or environmental change in Brent.
The programme is open to Brent residents who are unemployed or on a low income. It is free and takes place entirely online. The course is made up of seven weekday evening sessions spread over 12 weeks and a small grant, which participants will not have to pay back. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet a community of like-minded people who are starting up projects or social enterprises in Brent.
Applications are open now and close on 10th August. More information and details of how to apply are available here.
Once participants have completed the Pre Start Up programme, they can apply for the SEIDs 12-month Start Up programme, which takes a more in-depth look at their idea and includes workshops on how to develop a business plan, marketing and funding. If applicants have already started working on an idea, they can apply for the 12-month programme here.
SEIDs (Social Enterprise Ideas Development) opened in January 2019 and has already supported 77 people to develop the skills, networks and confidence they need to start their own business, from a music school to a skincare range. Although SEIDs has been closed since the end of March, all SEIDs programmes have successfully moved online, where participants have been able to access workshops over video conference call on topics including presentation skills, generating funding and pitching ideas.
Amanda Epe joined SEIDs as part of the first Start Up business cohort in 2019. Amanda runs the award-winning wellbeing, writing and running community organisation, Fly Girls.
Speaking about her experience with SEIDs, Amanda said:
‘SEIDs has opened the doorway from the start to scale up, I’ve benefitted from several business advice guidance sessions from the SEIDs team and a professional mentor. I feel fortunate to have connected and collaborated with some amazing SEIDs members.’
The SEIDs building will reopen on 7th September with social distancing measures in place. If you would like to know more about accessing any of the SEIDs programmes, please contact Kathy Margerison at kathymargerison@seids.org.uk.
Images shows Amanda Epe, founder of the community organisation Fly Girls.
