Five reasons to be optimistic about inequality

Next in our series asking, ‘Is work a social problem?’ Nick Mason, presents the optimistic side of a serious social challenge.

A sense of optimism comes from how much you know and how much you do.

If you know a huge amount about a problem and have done lots to overcome it, your sense of optimism or pessimism will be justified! If you are standing on the edge of social inequality, peering into its vastness then you will inevitably feel pessimistic. This helps no one.

Here are five reasons to be optimistic about the effects of inequality on society, and one way to be proactive.

1. Teens and Toddlers

Teens and Toddlers has a unique model and proven experience inspiring thousands of disengaged young people to succeed at school, in work and in the community. They raise the aspirations of young people by pairing them as mentors and role models for children in nursery. This, in turn, prepares the small children for ‘whole school readiness’.

Teens and Toddlers is seeking the support of a BeyondMe team of volunteers who will bring strategic, business development and interpersonal skills to enhance their capacity to build outstanding relationships with their school delivery partners. Learn more about this project with BeyondMe.

2. MAC-UK

MAC-UK is a fantastic and effective organisation aiming for Justice, Health, Housing, Education and Social Care services to become psychologically-informed environments. Since 2008, they have worked intensively with over 500 young people, developing services through co-production. MAC-UK’s approach, known as INTEGRATE, improves participants’ wellbeing, advances education and relieves unemployment among deprived young people living with poor mental health.

As they aim to scale, MAC-UK is looking for the support of a BeyondMe team to develop a comprehensive accreditation system to be used by all their partners. This will involve research, analytics, quality assurance, impact measurement, communications and a keen interest in business models. Learn more about MAC-UK’s project with BeyondMe.

3. Enfield Disability Action

Enfield Disability Action (EDA) is an extraordinary one-stop shop for all disabled people in the London borough of Enfield. It is user-led organisation speciaising in delivering accessible information, advice and advocacy on behalf of the thousands of disabled people in the Borough of Enfield.

EDA is looking for the support of a BeyondMe team on a project that will ensure disabled people in Enfield have a better chance of finding meaningful and sustained employment. A team will use their planning, analytical, design, presentation and interpersonal skills to deliver this much needed opportunity. Learn more about EDA’s project with BeyondMe.

4. CoachBright

CoachBright is a fast growing organisation whose aim is for all our pupils to become independent and resilient learners so they can lead the lives they want. They widen university access for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds by pairing them up with the best coaches. Through 1–1 coaching, CoachBright’s pupils improve their prospects of entering top universities in 3 ways: grades, confidence and expectationsa.

CoachBright are searching for a BeyondMe team who can think through their operational systems and catalyse their approach to community engagement. A team will bring a combination of skills incluing data management, critical thinking, operations, behavioural insights and communications to this transformative project. Learn more about this opportunity.

5. South London Cares

South London Cares and North London Cares (The Cares Family) are amazing community networks of young professionals and older neighbours hanging out and helping one another in a rapidly changing city. While London is full of culture, opportunity and innovation, it can also be anonymous, lonely and isolating. The Cares Family overcome these issues by bringing people together across social, generational, digital, cultural and attitudinal divides.

The Cares Family is aiming to work with a BeyondMe team who can improve how they manage, document and use data; enhance how they engage with volunteers; and deliver “demystify digital” training directly to elderly people. Learn more about this dynamic project with BeyondMe.

These organisations are working in our local communities. They are a source of optimism because they are doing what they were set up to do and really helping to overcome social inequality.

One simple way to be proactive is to support one of the fantastic projects these organisations has submitted to BeyondMe. You can join a team with friends, colleagues or complete strangers who want to use their time, skills and (a small amount of) money to support the same causes you care about.

So, there is a problem you care about, you know about organisations solving that problem and you have a way to be a part of the solution (in a fun, deeply involved, inspiring and collaborative format)… What are you waiting for?

Make a more meaningful contribution to society’s toughest challenges→www.BeyondMe.org