Emerge: A 10-day enterprise programme

Posted on: 3 August 2021 in Enterprise

A group of 17 students from the University of Liverpool recently embarked on a 10-week enterprise programme in partnership with the Careers & Employability team at the University and Capacity.

The students were tasked with identifying an issue affecting the communities with a high density of students living and socializing in them. They set out on a community engagement mission to understand the longstanding concerns of residents and working with the team at Capacity, they set about putting a solution in place, namely LUNITEA - A community meeting place, events space, and coffee shop, which will aim to build bridges and community relations between residents in the high student populated areas of Liverpool and the students themselves. The community space will help to educate new students about the history and culture of the areas they are living in, which will hopefully go some way towards them having more pride in where they live, engaging more positively with local residents, and being aware of their surroundings. 

During each week of the programme, students attended workshops and masterclasses delivered by experts from the Capacity team, helping them to nurture and develop their findings into a viable community business. These workshop sessions included community Engagement, feasibility, financial modelling, project planning, identifying funders and successful bid writing, meet the experts (Students met with two community business leaders, who founded their own organisations)

The LUNITEA team pitched their idea to members of the Senior Leadership Team at the University, including Dr Paul Redmond - Director of Student Experience and Enhancement, who was 'bowled over and inspired by the quality of the pitch and thought that the idea to create a community space to bring residents and students together was really powerful. 

The students will now endeavour to secure seed funding to carry about a feasibility study into the viability of the LUNITEA project, in partnership with the University and other established community organisations in the area,  with a view to launching for real towards the end of the summer. 

'I'm so happy to have stumbled across the Emerge programme, it has been the best cherry on top for my time at uni. I have learned tonnes about the 3rd sector and the rise of social entrepreneurship, and I feel so inspired for the future" Esme - @0912esme 

'Joining this programme was a step out of my comfort zone, but I have gained so much from the experience, including self-confidence in my verbal communication. I've also developed a passion for social enterprise and excitement of seeing our initial ideas being applied to a real life impactful project.' Pippa

'This has been an amazing way to learn how a social enterprise is created, how teams can work together and how to make ideas a reality. The Emerge programme has made me feel better prepared for the future of work and felt most importantly like I was making a real positive impact' Giorgio

'Working with Chris and the Capacity team has been a rewarding experience, teaching me about the perceptions and values which others hold and why their passions for social change should be what I should focus on in my own life too. It has been great working in a small discussion group, with an informal where we can really reflect and build upon our ideas.' Emma

'I can easily say that being part of Emerge has been the most enjoyable experience I've had during my time as a student at the University of Liverpool.' Andreea