Shine09 and Bodies on the Edge at Coventry Artspace

One thing about taking on an extra contract of work is time for reflection and recollection becomes scarce. Coupled with moving flats, and creating a new home – immensely satisfactory work for a near nomad like myself (for the last 10 years or so anyway) – I am finding myself contemplating pictures that has been stored away for the past few years.

However, last Friday I took myself to the Shine09 Unconference for social entrepreneurs – last year, I couldnt really participate because of the venue’s inaccessibility and I complained vehemently. I had to go this year because they promised me a free ticket and better access for this year.

SHINE is the UnConference for Social Entrepreneurs, taking social ideas into action. It’s two days for you to come together with other social entrepreneurs, investors, and business experts to form practical collaborations, develop your ideas and debate the future of social enterprise.

And I must say they delivered on that score. I love the King Place (Kings Place, 90 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AG). I arrived a bit late and the only real discussion I took part in was the one of Refugees, BAMEs and social entrepreneurship. Shankara Angadi of the Twist Partnership referred to challenges faced by that community as hurdles to be taken rather than challenges, he would have social entrepreneurs think that they have the advantage of creativity and determination to succeed rather than locals who have got used to the benefit culture – who would use disadvantage to be the reason/excuse to stop them from succeeding. Many repudiated that -including me – in voicing that with all the will in the world, there are certain factors which makes it very difficult, for instance, linguistic skills and the discrimination which then follows by not being able to communicate effectively. A lady named Mona was very emphatic that her lack of English is a definite barrier.

There was also a guy from Future Builders England who spoke about the need to find out how they can help these communities. I wished I had time to go to take advantage of the one to  one workshops such as on legal structures …

And then I went to the party at the Hub, Kings Cross. Met up with people I met from last year such as Dave Dawes and Ben Metz and other new friends such as Denise Stephens and Dominic Campbell from Enabled by Design. Met Nic Jones (UnLtd) and Felix Gonzales people whom I would like to keep in touch with.

Denise and friend

I went to a performance at Coventry Artspace ‘Bodies on the Edge’ on Saturday instead of going back to London. Commitments call closer to home.

It is part of a two day event from Coventry based company
Jolie Laide. The event, which will take over a number of weird,
wonderful and unexpected spaces in the Artspace building and garden,
will offer a cutting edge selection of multi disciplinary art forms
including dance, live art, sculpture, sound based art and digital
media. Bodies on the Edge will bring together twenty established and
emergent visual and performing artists from across the West Midlands.
These include Bruce Coates, Walt Adams and Jonny Marks, Vitesh
Vithlani, Luisa Pinto Teixeira, Corrinna Spencer, Nick Peters and New
Macho Company. Jolie Laide was founded by Gill Williams and Leah
Alcock.

hip hop workshop

At UnLtd and meeting Andy Stowe on European funding

Shamiela Ahmed

Today I went to the UnLtd office at Floodgate Street to talk about Connect Culture progress with Shamiela Ahmed, Development Manager. UnLtd has a really nice office but walking there from New Street Station took longer than what was expected than the 10 mins given by google map. We had trouble finding our way because the streets were not clearly marked.

Another appointment there was with Andy Stowe who is the Senior European Policy Advisor. I am, with others, looking at the possibility of bringing a group of disabled young people to London. This is just a germination stage/ opportunity for the moment. Andy was very helpful in giving advice. We will have to get a sponsor and think of some partners.

There are also some interesting exchange visits one can do as an individual. We were invited to look at the the transversal.org.uk website. There are certainly some good opportunities but I was hoping to find one with accessibility and/or in the hospitality environment in the catalogue but no luck so far..

to be a social entrepreneur and the RNIB bike ride between London and Paris

I heard Nick Temple give a talk on blogging at the UnShine conference last year and started following his blog from the School for Social Entrepreneurs. Today his post on “How to be a social entrepreneur” poster was great. Especially ‘ the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus’. I am determined  to stay on the path I want to go – which does not necessarily mean would be financially wise but I am following where my instincts tell me to go.

How to be a social entrepreneur

I also got to know about the RNIB London to Paris Bike Ride on 12th to 15th June. It is a fund raising event.  I suppose it is a good way to travel with like minded people, fund raise for a good cause and get some great exercise. I wonder if there are any visually impaired people taking part – or any provisions made for those who wish to take part.

The UnLtd award event

Today I was off to Birmingham for my UnLtd award event. UnLtd is the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs. It was good to meet other social entrepreneurs and get the buzz of enthusiasm – sometimes when one works independently, you can lose sight that there might be others in the same position, with similar doubts or so confident that it just lifts you up. Seeing and hearing other peoples’s success stories do that.

I was very interested in the film project that Philip Blake (Thursday Film Ltd) presented to us and how he went about making it. We had a chat and thought maybe we can collaborate on a film about the barriers that disabled people have to face when they travel. Maybe. I think he might just be polite but maybe hes not..What I really wanted to know is how to get a quick course on videoing so that I can add reasonable videos on the Connect Culture website.

I felt very encouraged when David Largie who offers professional coaching for music projects asked me if I would be able to help him by doing research for French gigs and performers if he goes to Paris. I think he really understood about being inclusive. I said my service wasn’t just for disabled travellers and he took me at my word.

These are just a few of the people I met. The one very interesting presentation was by Andy Stowe - the Senior European Policy Advisor. I am going to have a discussion with him about how to do exchanges with Paris and Strasbourg.

Supported by Millenium Awards Trust