Joining The Frontline
When I signed up to be Young Researcher, I knew that it would be a good experience but I had no idea that it would have such a positive impact on my life.
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2 years after graduating, I was working in the corporate sector trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to ‘help people’ but I wasn’t sure the best way for me to make a positive impact. I stumbled across the term ‘social enterprise’ by accident, and after a quick Google search I was sure that this was the movement I wanted to be involved in. It was even clearer that UnLtd were at the forefront championing the work of social entrepreneurs.
When I saw an advert for volunteer researchers at UnLtd, I immediately knew that I wanted to be part of it- it was the perfect way to refresh my research skills that I hadn’t used since University, and also to learn more about the social enterprise sector.
8 months on, I can honestly say I got all that and more. I met amazing people in the UnLtd staff, my fellow volunteer researchers and the young social entrepreneurs I got to interview. And best of all, I was able to use the knowledge I had gained to get a new job with a charity who support a specific type of social enterprise, Social Firms UK.
Before this project, volunteering looked like working for an organisation for free who would give you the tasks that they didn’t want to do themselves. UnLtd has shown me that this isn’t the case as they really invest in their volunteers with the training and support that they give you throughout the project.
It is so exciting to know that I have been part of a process that will likely have a massive impact on policy on the social enterprise and education, and I really have to thank the Live UnLtd crew for giving me this opportunity!
By Temidire Odesanya
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If you are aged between 11-21 and have a great idea that you think could change your community for the better, click the ‘Apply Now’ button below to get up to £5,000 cash and support to make it happen!
