Format: 2 hour workshop

Target group: 11-18 year olds

Group size: 20 - 30 young people

The Ideas Generator Workshop develops young people’s enterprise skills, developing an awareness of social enterprise and creative entrepreneurial thinking. We introduce the idea of social enterprise and its position in the commercial landscape, comparing it to charities and profit-making organisations, and empower young people to believe their ideas can make a difference.

Participants work in teams to develop an idea, a vision and mission for their business before conducting an elevator pitch in front of the class. Young people also develop a range of personal skills, such as confidence, a can do attitude & drive, which fit well into enterprise & life skill core learning requirements.

The Ideas Generator is available in two formats:

Whacky – participants come up with creative ideas that push the boundaries of their imagination

Realistic – young people develop an idea which they can then turn into reality

In the second option we provide a framework, including lesson plans and resources, for taking the business ideas on to a 6 week enterprise project.

Case Study
Year 11 students at Yesoday Hatorah Senior Girls School in Hackney took part in the ‘whacky’ Ideas Generator coming up with great social business ideas and pitches, including collecting unwanted food from big events and distributing it to those in need. Students loved the opportunity to come up with their own ideas, with one participant saying that her favourite part of the workshop was:

 “Giving us the ability to let our imagination run freely!”