Business ideas that really help

A competition in Knowsley to find entrepreneurs with a social conscience is giving the winners an intensive package of support to turn their ideas into reality.

The Social Enterprise Challenge invited people to submit their ideas for new businesses on the back of a postcard.

The scheme led to a whole array of inspiring ideas to make a difference to local neighbourhoods, from sports to education, healthy eating to community cafes.

At an awards ceremony, prizes went to a scheme for a community café in Jubilee Park, Page Moss, an activities club for disabled children in Kirkby and fundraising gigs for teenagers, amongst others.

The winning ideas get a package of support to make their vision a reality, to be delivered by ELECT, a business support agency with extensive knowledge of the social enterprise sector.

The awards were presented by Councillor Graham Morgan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, in a ceremony at the Huyton Suite.

Cllr Morgan said: “This is the first time this competition has been run and it has shown the extent of Knowsley’s entrepreneurial talent, with a social conscience.

“The entries we received showed a real commitment to create something that would make an impact on our communities and everybody who entered will receive support to get their ideas off the ground.”

The Social Enterprise Challenge was developed in a partnership between Knowsley MBC, Knowsley Development Trust and KUC (formerly Kirkby Unemployment Centre).

The awards were sponsored by Fresh Start, Getrag, Knowsley Housing Trust and Knowsley Enterprise Academy.

For more information on the Social Enterprise Challenge and the winning entries, contact Corinne Dowell on 0151 443 5585 or email corinne.dowell@knowsley.gov.uk or Jackie Rand/ Gemma Melling on 0151 443 3536/ 3063

The award winning entries and categories

New Start Award (supported by Fresh Start) Achievement Sports Aim to develop a sports and fitness academy, this will target young people in the NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) category and lead them into coaching/fitness qualifications.

Your Sport OUR FUTURE Building on the success of NDC North Huyton, to further develop the sports development in the area, particularly targeting young people.

Growth Award (sponsored by Getrag) National Wildflower Centre Teaching children maths skills using wildflowers in an alternative and interactive way.

Jus Kidz Jus Kidz, based in Kirkby, runs a successful Saturday club for disabled and non disabled children and would like to expand this offer to after school clubs, holiday clubs and would ideally like a ‘one stop shop’ to support parents with disabled children.

Partnership Award (sponsored by Knowsley Housing Trust) Prescot Oasis Nu Start Construction services, building on the success of other NU Start provision and their partnership with Knowsley Housing Trust, will train people in construction, maintenance and grounds maintenance skills.

Jubilee Park Café The community want to reclaim their park as a focal point for the regeneration work going on. The partnership approach taken by Page Moss Neighbourhood Network has already led to an investment of over £100,000 in remedial work on the park. To complete the entrants’ vision of a vibrant community café at the heart of a redeveloped park there would need to be a further investment of £1 million.

Young People (sponsored by Knowsley Enterprise Academy) Play4life This was the winning idea in the 16 – 18 year old category and aims to run gigs for young people, 14 years and over, which would return its profit into charitable causes.