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24 Nov 2009 10:29:01
CEO of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Foundation Penny Newman served up a treat when she visited the University of Bedfordshire.
Penny was visiting as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week and gave a lecture on social enterprises organised by the Bedfordshire Social Enterprise Network (BedSEN). There was also an exhibition, supported by Luton Borough Council and WENTA, in which business advisors and practitioners shared hints and tips with students about creating social enterprises.
The Fifteen Foundation is a social enterprise, set up by Jamie Oliver, which gives young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) the opportunity to train as chefs. It aims to help them understand the working environment and gives them the chance to enter full-time employment as a chef after a year.
Penny, former CEO of Cafedirect and Regional Product Marketing Manager for Body Shop International, said: “Normal apprenticeship schemes will only take on those with the best or highest achievements, however the Fifteen Foundation takes on those who no-one else wants.
We offer them a wealth of experience for a year in which they learn not only technical skills but also social skills too which help improve self-confidence and maturity - setting them on their way to full employment.”
At the lecture Penny talked about her experiences in social enterprises and shared her thoughts about the ethos of a social enterprise using Fifteen Foundation as an example.
Penny added: “I hopefully inspired the audience to see that there is a different business model to the traditional one taught in universities and schools. Within a week of starting at the Body Shop I realised that I wanted to turn my talents and skills to something that was not driven by the bottom line. I found there that there is another way to do business – which offers either environmental or social benefits as well as financial ones!”
Also speaking at the event was Director of Operations for PJ’s Community Services Claudine Reid MBE. Pj’s is another social enterprise which adds value to the community and promotes social inclusion.
Latest news» 2009» November» Giving back through business
