
On Thursday 19th June, researchers from BU gave a presentation on the SPEED-You-Up project to Government ministers and civil servants at a seminar hosted by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
SPEED-You-UP, led by Dr Carly Stewart from Bournemouth University, is an international social innovation programme delivered in the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It supports at-risk young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) and works with schools, welfare organisations, local authorities and businesses.
The project teaches young people about social entrepreneurship, helping them launch youth-led businesses and re-engage with school and in their communities.
During their presentation to over 90 policy makers, Dr Stewart and her colleagues Dr Esther Anwuzia and Preethi Rajaprakasam – also from BU - talked about the project’s successes and highlights, including:
- Supporting over 2,000 young people
- Launching over a hundred youth-led businesses
- Seeing significant improvements in confidence, motivation, teamwork and school attendance amongst the young people involved
- NEET participants showed the greatest gains in core skills and future orientation and motivation to continue education and training
Dr Stewart said, “SPEED-You-Up supports the current Government’s goals to kickstart economic growth, break down barriers to opportunity and promote local regeneration through civic partnerships.
“Our policy advice to them was that when we trust and invest in young people, especially those furthest from opportunity, they don’t just participate — they lead.”