We are thrilled to announce that two of Manchester's game changing social entrepreneurs will be joining us for the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre鈥檚 Social Enterprise Discovery Bootcamp which runs across the 21 and 22 of June.
This two day socially engaged learning experience presents an opportunity to connect and collaborate with likeminded learners, while hearing directly from speakers who have walked the path of social entrepreneurship, having developed and started up their own organisations which are helping to drive social change, innovation, inclusivity and solidarity.
Dr. Nicola (Niki) Banks, a trailblazer from SEED, is soon to kickstart her transformative social enterprise, with the launch event taking place in June. have developed a platform which reimagines the landscape of charitable giving, ensuring that funds reach partner organisations across the globe on a long-term, predictable, and unrestricted basis.
Following the support of the Aspect Research Commercialisation (ARC) Accelerator and the (MEC), Niki鈥檚 powerful idea will create global impact; empowering communities worldwide, enabling them to strategize, invest wisely, and overcome the challenges they face.
鈥榃e couldn't be more thrilled! We believe that it can only be the giving public that drives genuine change in the sector and we're proud to have designed an affordable, impactful and engaging way to build the solidarity to achieve this.鈥�
鈥極ur strength is not underpinned by high donations but rooted in a broad-base of supporters that stick with us for the long-term. We鈥檒l invite our supporters 鈥� our 鈥楪lobal Citizens鈥� 鈥� to support our Solidarity Fund with monthly donations from as little as 拢1.00 a month. We will pool and channel these donations in their entirety to our amazing partner organisations. As we grow, we can scale up our support to our partner organisations and build outwards to new ones.鈥�
But that's not all! We are also privileged to be joined by Beth Barnes, the inspirational founder of which is the North West鈥檚 first and only fully inclusive football league for female and non-binary transgender people. 
As Beth explains, Alternative Football goes beyond the sport itself鈥攊t has become a lifeline for those facing challenges and seeking acceptance;
鈥淲e鈥檝e had a couple of players who鈥檝e said it鈥檚 lifesaving.
鈥淭hey were struggling with some challenges and difficulties in their life and since joining us they have their own family in their team, they feel welcome and accepted for who they are instead of having to fit into someone else鈥檚 idea of what they should be.
鈥淎lternative Football is all about inclusion, the social aspect of sport, friendliness, turning up and feeling welcome from the get go. We just provide a fun and easy place to play football. No one has to earn their place. It鈥檚 about everyone having a nice friendly time together with no aggression, no questions and no barriers.鈥�
鈥淎lternative Football is all about inclusion, the social aspect of sport, friendliness, turning up and feeling welcome from the get go. We just provide a fun and easy place to play football. No one has to earn their place. It鈥檚 about everyone having a nice friendly time together with no aggression, no questions and no barriers.鈥�
She said: 鈥淲e want to be nationwide in the next few years and potentially global. It was MEC that first mentioned the idea creating a Community Interest Company (C.I.C.) and I laughed the first time I heard that.
鈥淚 thought it was ludicrous even suggesting that, and I thought everyone would laugh at me for thinking we could take this football league and take it national or worldwide.
鈥淏ut MEC encouraged me to think bigger and ever since I鈥檝e been confident about it going nationwide one day 鈥� and no one鈥檚 laughed at me!
Inspired by guidance from the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, Beth now dares to dream big, envisioning a nationwide and even global impact for her exceptional initiative. The triumph of winning first place, and a grant of 拢10,000 in the 2022 Venture Further Business Start-up Competition (Social Enterprise Category) has only solidified her belief in the league's immense potential.
Don't miss out on your chance to listen and learn from our homegrown changemakers here at the University of Manchester. This event is the perfect place to explore and develop your own ideas, and maybe meet your future collaborators 鈥� and join us in our mission to support positive social change.