Social Enterprise
The launch of our enterprise hub back in 2006 has led to some incredible opportunities for the people we engage with and we’re delighted to say our range of enterprises looks set to expand into 2008 with the launch of a new community gym.
Our existing enterprises have this year offered over 1,000 days of work experience in everything from scarf and badge making to web design and personal fitness training. In addition our enterprise staff have delivered training sessions across our programmes and the work they do now already contributes 10% of the revenue used to fund the charity’s wider work.
The Bus, our mobile multimedia studio, took a key role in our Summer programme and has been home to a range of taster sessions, from music production to DJ workshops, to employment and progression information, advice and guidance and even a 12 week media course on one estate, engaging and equipping young people to design and maintain a community website.
Our sports and fitness enterprise, Gateway Motion, has gone from strength to strength with the new sports facilities at Limehouse Youth Centre making it easier to provide training and giving us a space for our community gym and personal trainer courses.
Creative Me is an arts & crafts enterprise which offers a range of quality hand-crafted gifts and also runs free courses for local unemployed women as part of the Lansbury Lodge Community Project, ultimately increasing their confidence and supporting them in returning to work.
Some of the exciting projects we have worked on this year include a sexual health website, a DVD about the pro-bono work of a City law firm, the East London Line extension newsletter and the website video for the Grand Designs Live Exhibition.
The enterprise has not only helped fund City Gateway but has also provided over 500 days of work experience for more than 20 young people and one full time apprenticeship.
We have also continued to provide media training both internally, as part of the accredited courses we run, and externally to other organisations and individuals. Our joint project with our media bus on the Cleveland estate should see 8 young people with an iMedia qualification and the skills needed to create and manage a community website.
