The Social Innovation Programme, Spring 2018: Community Partners Wanted!
Bristol Hub is recruiting community partners for the next round of the Social Innovation Programme, running from February to April 2018 and would like to invite your organisation to take part!
The Social Innovation Programme (SIP), is a programme delivered by Bristol Hub, a student social action charity, in partnership with Burges Salmon, an local independent law firm. The SIP is a pro-bono, student-led consultancy service for charities and social enterprises. The SIP is designed to bring about a dual-positive outcome: it supports organisations to improve their outcomes for user groups by increasing their capacity and providing new perspectives, whilst raising awareness of social issues amongst students and providing good quality work experience.
Why should you get involved?
University students are in an excellent position to support charities by adding capacity to existing projects and providing extra resources for new initiatives. Students can benefit your organisation through bringing a unique perspective and by using their specialised skills and knowledge.
We run a rigorous recruitment process and work with bright, enthusiastic students who want to make a difference in their local communities.
Teams will be supported by a mentor from Burges Salmon. Mentors will guide students through the programme, sharing their skills and expertise and providing feedback, insight and support when needed. Students will also receive training from Burges Salmon in key business skills as part of the programme. Bristol Hub will support teams throughout the duration of the programme and provide knowledge and insight into the social impact sector.
And it’s all completely free!
Who can take part?
We welcome applications from any organisation with a social aim or purpose, including: charities, social enterprises, community interests companies and grassroots community groups.
To take part you need to be able to:
- Attend the launch event and presentation evening
- Keep in weekly contact with your team (either via email, phone or face-to-face) and answer your team’s queries to the best of your ability
- Take part in Bristol Hub’s feedback processes including completing a survey, taking part in a focus group and a follow-up phone call three months after completion of the programme
Social Innovation Programme: Timeline
- December 2017-January 2018: Brief submissions (briefs confirmed and finalised by Wednesday 31st January)
- Tuesday 6th February: Launch Event (hosted by Burges Salmon)
- Thursday 22nd March: Students submit reports
- Wednesday 25th April: Showcase event (hosted by Burges Salmon)
What next?
Organisations are required to provide a clear and detailed project brief. Bristol Hub will support you to design a brief that is both challenging for the students, and will be of real benefit to your organisation. Previous briefs have ranged from designing an income diversification strategy to researching and developing a direct marketing strategy for a social enterprise.
Student teams will then have ten weeks to complete these briefs, and produce a report at the end of the process, highlighting their findings, and will present their recommendations to a panel of professionals at the showcase event.
SIP Spring 2018 will run between February and April. If you would like to host a team of student and benefit from this pro bono consultancy service please contact Emma at manager@bristolhub.org for more information or to request a project brief template.
The deadline for submitting a brief is Wednesday 31st January 2018.
