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Student and Graduate Enterprise
Opportunities to be Enterprising at BGU -
Bishop Grosseteste University launch new hub and academy to support social economy businesses
Part of the hub’s community offer is the Greater Lincolnshire Social Economy Academy, which has been launched with support from Lincolnshire County Council and Business Lincolnshire. The academy offers a blend of practical and academic workshops delivered by a range of partners, and a series of debates and is open to charities, social enterprises, cooperatives, community groups and students. The need for an academy was identified following the development of a Greater Lincolnshire Social Economy Strategy and evidence gained from an extensive research report to unlock the full potential of the county’s people and communities. The report highlighted the benefits of social economy businesses and the challenges the sector faces. As a result, BG Futures has relaunched to focus efforts on supporting organisations which create a social impact. Based on the BGU campus, BG Futures was originally opened in 2012 as a business and enterprise centre and has supported hundreds of businesses across Greater Lincolnshire. The relaunch to focus on social enterprise demonstrates a commitment to developing a vibrant, innovative and sustainable community, particularly from those underrepresented in the business sector. The new Lincolnshire Social Economy Hub was officially opened by Ursula Lidbetter OBE, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Co-op, in a ribbon cutting ceremony, exactly ten years after she cut the ribbon for the BG Futures centre in 2012. Ursula said: “Having a base for social enterprise is more than just a building, it’s a place to bring people together, where ideas spark and wonderful things can happen “The relaunch of the Lincolnshire Social Economy Hub will create more opportunities for social enterprise in Lincolnshire at a time when the sector needs it the most and I’m excited to see where it will lead.” The Rev Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice-Chancellor at Bishop Grosseteste University, said: “The relaunch of BG Futures as the Lincolnshire Social Economy Hub, and the launch of the brand-new Greater Lincolnshire Social Economy Academy reaffirm Bishop Grosseteste University’s commitment to supporting organisations with clear social or environmental missions. “This year is a significant milestone for the university as we celebrate our 160th anniversary and a decade since we were awarded full university status, and as an anchor institution for Lincoln we are proud to be able to support organisations that make Lincolnshire a better place to live and work.” -
BGU alumni launches new nursery in Lincoln
Alice Anders new start-up is dedicated to creating a nurturing, stimulating and welcoming environment for all children. -
Calling local social economy organisations! We want to hear your views
Ursula said: “Having a base for social enterprise is more than just a building, it’s a place to bring people together, where ideas spark and wonderful things can happen. The Lincolnshire Social Economy Hub will help create more opportunities for social enterprise in Lincolnshire at a time when the sector needs it the most and I’m excited to see where it will lead.” In support of this, Bishop Grosseteste University’s business facing Lincolnshire Open Research and Innovation Centre team are working to build on previous research in to the social economy sector which helped to inform the Social Economy Strategy for Greater Lincolnshire: 2021-2031. They are calling for input from all local social economy organisations, including social enterprises, community interest companies, charities, mutuals, co-operatives, community land trusts and un-incorporated groups. The views of the sector are being sought via a short survey to gather information on the state of the sector locally, and also what it needs in order to develop. The Rev Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice-Chancellor at Bishop Grosseteste University, said: “The launch of BG Futures as the Lincolnshire Social Economy Hub, and the launch of the brand-new Greater Lincolnshire Social Economy Academy reaffirm Bishop Grosseteste University’s commitment to supporting organisations with clear social or environmental missions. “This year is a significant milestone for the university as we celebrate our 160th anniversary and a decade since we were awarded full university status, and as an anchor institution for Lincoln we are proud to be able to support organisations that make Lincolnshire a better place to live and work.” The survey can be completed here or through the tile below. -
BGU graduate sets up a social enterprise
Denise has over 40 years’ experience of teaching music and is a BA (Hons) Health and Social Care graduate from BGU. Denise explains “I have been employed for many years in the health and social care sector, working with young people in rehab, supported living and care home residential settings, young people and adults with learning difficulties and those suffering with mental health problems. I am passionate about helping them achieve their goals. I had thought about studying for a degree for years and after a change in personal circumstances decided that it was the right time to embark on the journey. I chose to study at BGU as the location is ideal and the group size relatively small. Any feelings of apprehension about going to university and worrying about being too old or not being able to cope with the work were soon dismissed. I had excellent teaching staff, was made welcome and put at ease. The student group consisted of a variety of ages, and I never once felt out of place. It was a friendly and supportive group. Admittedly at times it was difficult fitting everything in, work, an elderly parent to care for and the ongoing demands of family life; a husband, grown up children and grandchildren! I was determined to get through the whole experience and so pleased I did. I would not have missed it for the world. "Throughout the years I have used music, art and craft to improve wellbeing, build confidence and self-esteem, enabling people to perform and entertain. I believe that the arts can have a lasting and powerful effect on an individual's health. They can be a fun way to socialise and make friends.” Denise said “the support I received from Sarah at BG Futures has been extremely valuable and important. It has helped and encouraged me to continue and develop the confidence needed to run my own business. OUR ECLECTIC ARTS is available for anyone aged over 18 years and caters for all abilities. The service is bought to clients whether in their own home, residential or community setting. At present I am concentrating on a 30-mile radius covering Lincoln to Louth as well as coastal areas. "Regardless of age, if anyone is thinking of starting their own business my advice is to ask for help and advice and to talk through your ideas with friends and family. Do your market research to offer something different and go for it. To encourage others, I always say, if I can do it, so can you.” Sarah adds “Denise’s market research revealed that there are a limited number of organisations delivering wide-ranging art activities, in the community, to individuals that have difficulties accessing services. OUR ECLECTIC ARTS is dedicated to offering a broader range of activities within the Arts. Denise has a client centric approach and a genuine interest in improving people’s lives. This has been reinforced by choosing to operate as a social enterprise whereby trading profits will be reinvested to do more of this good work.” For more information about OUR ECLECTIC ARTS contact Denise on dpopple8@gmail.com Instagram: oureclecticarts Facebook: Our Eclectic Arts If you are a BGU student or recent graduate and are interested in finding out what support is available from the BG Futures team click here. -
Carers Week at BGU
In celebration of Carers Week (6-12 June), BGU is sharing the ways we support our staff and student caring community. -
New partnership between Bishop Grosseteste University and Lincolnshire Community & Voluntary Services
Bishop Grosseteste University has secured its first ever Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with local charity Lincolnshire Community & Voluntary Service. -
Allison Webb
Allison is Director of Business and Community Engagement and has twenty-five years strategic leadership experience across careers, employability, enterprise and broader teenage services, ten of these based in higher education as a Head of Careers, Employability and Enterprise leading a department of up to twenty managers and professional staff. She has led teams delivering a broad range of services to business including BG Futures which now forms the Lincolnshire Social Economy Hub. Current key responsibilities include oversight of Apprenticeships, Partnerships, LORIC and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Business Development and Community Development, linking to University's Social Purpose. -
Cost of Living
Living with inflation and the rising cost of living -
BGU students train for school mentoring programme
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently hosted a training session for its students involved in the Future Focus Mentoring Programme. The programme – funded by LiNCHigher - connects undergraduate students with mentees from local schools. The mentors will work with a selected group of Year 10 students, who have either volunteered or been identified by the schools in advance, to help them explore their interests and goals and support their personal and academic development. The training session was delivered by BG Futures and aimed to prepare the mentors for their role in supporting students with their employability and career management skills. They were trained in mentoring best practices, effective communication strategies, and the importance of building strong relationships with their mentees. They were also equipped with the necessary skills to guide their mentees in setting achievable goals and developing a clear plan to reach them. The Future Focus Mentoring Programme is an important initiative that demonstrates Bishop Grosseteste University’s commitment to supporting the local community and helping young people achieve their goals. It provides an excellent opportunity for university students to make a difference in the lives of young people, develop their own skills, and gain valuable experience in mentoring and leadership. This marks the start of an exciting journey for the mentors and the mentees, who will work together over the next few months to achieve their goals and build a brighter future. The university is confident that the mentoring programme will make a lasting impact on the lives of all involved, and it is looking forward to reporting the results of the programme in the future. To find out more about the Future Focus Mentoring Programme, please contact aggi.doughty@bishopg.ac.uk and linchigher@bishopg.ac.uk
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