Enterprising Redbridge: making voluntary organisations more entrepreneurial

Welcome to Enterprising Redbridge … making voluntary organisations more entrepreneurial

In the current climate a significant reduction in the availability of grants, particularly from public sector sources, has resulted in some voluntary sector groups closing – leaving a void in local service provision. We believe some of this can be avoided.

In order to help local groups move to a more sustainable future, we are offering a
programme of seminars, networking opportunities and one-to-one advice on becoming more independently sustainable. We believe this package of support can provide the positive encouragement such groups need.

We know that solutions are not always obvious, as you tend to be (rightly) totally focused on your day-to-day operations. So this programme gives you the opportunity to think beyond the day to day, the space to consider difficult questions in a safe place, and thechance to say the unsayable. We want this programme to inspire you, challenge you, support you and affirm the work you are doing.

Our goal is to inform and inspire 450+ Redbridge voluntary organisations to become more entrepreneurial through the provision of information and online tools. That’s a big ask. But it will depend on you. Your willingness to engage. Your desire to continue change.

For those most committed to trying new ideas or introducing change to their organisation, we will provide intensive tailored support to 10 groups not only to survive into the future but go on to thrive with greater independence.

Sophia Hubs and Redbridge CVS obtained Big Lottery funding to commission Aspiren andUrban Catalysts to take the lead on this project. Take a look at the website for more information and register your interest now. www.enterprisingredbridge.org.uk.

This is an initiative that aims to bring business skills to the voluntary and community sector. We hope that this will make a significant contribution to Redbridge by enabling the sector to learn ways to become less dependent on funding and more resilient.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Case - Until The Next Time.

Launch of the Sophia Hubs Network

The launch of the Sophia Hubs Network and a ‘community share offer’ took place tonight at St Stephen Walbrook.

Ros Southern and Olive Hamilton-Andrews (Hamiland Management Ltd) told us a little about Sophia Hub Redbridge and then Tricia Sibbons introduced us to the Sophiatown Motswako Enterprise Hub. Clive Sheldon spoke about the Community Share Offer while Christine Baker of Argentis Capital gave a keynote speech focusing on the place of Sophia Hubs in the wider picture of social enterprise and social impact investing in the UK and internationally. Argentis Capital works to provide capital for innovative, scalable businesses which have a positive social and/or environmental impact in both developed and developing countries worldwide.

Ros Southern said:

"We have been running for two years now and we are enjoying finding and harnessing the skills and support of the business, community and statutory sectors. This is all to help start-up businesses to make it.  To find them, bring them together and to get help and support from the resources and people in the borough. Redbridge has a very high number of start-up businesses starting and a very high number failing. Its isolating to be sitting in the bedroom trying to run a business. We are building up networks and joining the dots!

The interesting thing from being with and working alongside the business sector is that the vast, vast majority of them are very clear that in business, and for start-ups, collaboration is more important,  more valuable, than competition.  And I think the most valuable thing we bring to Redbridge is building connections and collaboration between the business and community sector."

Tricia Sibbons asked "how will young people of the future create solutions to community needs as well as generate income?" She said, in answer:

"That’s why Sophia Hubs is an important network to support and nurture. It’s not as exciting as the Tech start up world, but we can’t eat fibre optics or even broadband radio waves.  It’s a back to the future world – how do we help ordinary people do  valuable things in their communities which can create an extraordinary world – more peaceful, more equitable and more sustainable:  that’s what Sophia Hubs offers.

Sustainable business does mean lower immediate profits and returns for shareholders, because good business demands we count more than the money line and we have to deliver trust – the City knows that, the church knows that. Capital however, is trust neutral – we are the investors who have to determine what is worth investing in and for what return.

A final word about what is at the heart of our work:  access and diversity.  Unless we create routes for masses of young people to enter the formal economy, to contribute to their future world, they will have no stake.  And in that scenario risk to business rises exponentially. 

All of us are shareholders in the future, so we hope supported by ordinary women and men who believe there is a better way to create economic growth, Sophia Hubs will play its part."

By way of introduction I said:

"From the perspective of St Stephen Walbrook we are pleased to host this launch event as part of our current programme of Philanthropy in the City events. As part of our ministry at the heart of the City this church was built to serve, we aim to organise occasional programmes exploring contemporary issues such as ‘Philanthropy in the City’, which has been a series of events including exhibitions, services and talks exploring both the history of philanthropy in the City and current opportunities for philanthropic activity.

In an age of austerity and growing inequality, the time is ripe to encourage more philanthropy, particularly in the City of London and to communicate widely the extent and breadth of giving in the Square Mile and Canary Wharf. The City has a proud tradition of philanthropy dating back to the Middle Ages, led by Livery Companies and the Mayorality, as is illustrated in the exhibition Philanthropy - The City Story. Our programme of events, exhibitions and services has explored volunteering, patronage, investment and grant-making in publicising opportunities for philanthropic contributions today.

The global financial crisis has rightly created a debate in the City about the running of financial markets and options for alternative economic models. Sophia Hubs Limited seeks to contribute to that debate through our model and practices.

Sophia is the Greek word for wisdom and Sophia Hubs seek to unlock the wisdom contained in all communities in order to create entrepreneurs and enterprising communities. Our consumer society seeks to form us into customers, clients and audiences. We become those who consume what specialists sell to us. By contrast, Sophia Hubs seek to identify and develop the skills and resources inherent in local people and local communities in order to create enterprising communities which nurture entrepreneurs and businesses or enterprises which benefit the community through the services they provide and the jobs they create. This is a virtuous circle to which we invite you to contribute and in which you can invest.

Sophia Hubs seek to sustain communities through social enterprise and does so through a network which, though currently small, stretches from Seven Kings to Sophiatown, from Redbridge to Johannesburg."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U2 - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own.

Launch of the Sophia Hubs Network

The City launch of the Sophia Hubs Network and the development of another arm of Sophia Hubs support to local economies, entrepreneurs and start-up businesses, including Redbridge, will take place on Tuesday 17th November, 6.00 - 8.00pm, at St Stephen Walbrook (by Bank station).

We will be launching a ‘community share offer’ so that financial institutions and investors can support projects and start-up businesses that bring value to the area.

This launch will bring together financial investors and start-up businesses and partners of the pilot being run in Redbridge. We will have information about our partner project in South Africa, the Sophiatown Motswako Enterprise Hub.

Christine Baker of Argentis Capital will give a keynote speech focusing on the place of Sophia Hubs in the wider picture of social enterprise and social impact investing in the UK and internationally. Argentis Capital works to provide capital for innovative, scalable businesses which have a positive social and/or environmental impact in both developed and developing countries worldwide.

The programme is as follows:

Arrival (6 – 6.30pm)
Introduction & welcome
Sophia Hub Redbridge & Motswako Hub Sophiatown stories
Community Share Offer launch
Keynote speech - Christine Baker (Argentis Capital)
Networking / Sign-up

To book a place, please email clive.sheldon@sophiahubs.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paul Weller - Into Tomorrow.

Philanthropy in the City - Day 1

Day 1 of the Philanthropy in the City programme at St Stephen Walbrook was the first opportunity to view both the Care of Creation art exhibition by the Society of Catholic Artists and Philanthropy – The City Story which documents how philanthropy has developed over 800 years and how it has contributed to the Square Mile and society.

The Society of Catholic Artists (SCA) is for those engaged as professional or amateurs in the various disciplines of the visual arts. Their membership includes painters, stone and metal sculptors, architects, stained glass artists, silversmiths, potters, iconographers, and more. The SCA has always aimed at raising the standard of religious art and encouraging a bond of spiritual awareness and Christian fellowship among artists, as well as being available to advise prospective patrons and to recommend suitable artists for commissions. Members have been responsible for major artistic work for cathedrals and churches throughout Britain. In this year of Pope Francis’ encyclical, ‘Care of Creation’ and respecting the spirituality of the venue, for this exhibition they are using the Pope’s message as a theme.

The City has a proud tradition of philanthropy dating back to the Middle Ages, led by Livery Companies and the Mayorality, as is brilliantly illustrated in the exhibition Philanthropy - The City Story. Philanthropy is one of London's hidden stories. The roles of business and government as channels for entrepreneurial effort are well known. But this exhibition explores philanthropy as an alternative catalyst of growth and change. The City, including almshouses, hospitals, open spaces, orphanages, the first public flushing loos, the Royal Exchange and even London Bridge, owes much to the great philanthropists of the Square Mile.

Also in today's programme was the next in our current Discover & explore service series with the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields.. As part of the Philanthropy in the City programme we explored the theme of Charity. The service included the reading of both Holy Thursday poems by William Blake and John Tavener's setting of Blake's The Lamb.

Tomorrow at 6.30pm, Jin Chin (Chair, Samaritans London Central), David Barclay (Church Credit Champions Network), Mark Choonara (The Passage) and Revd Bertrand Oliver (All Hallows by the Tower) will share opportunities for volunteering with Samaritans, Home for Good and as a Church Credit Champion.

On Wednesday at 6.00pm we will host a service to review and give thanks to God for the year in office of Alderman Alan Yarrow, Lord Mayor of London including the Lord Mayor’s Appeal (Scope and Mencap) and overseas business visits. The service will reflect the theme of the Lord Mayor’s year in office: Creating Wealth, Giving Time, Supporting People.

Next Monday at 1.10pm will see the third in our Discover & explore series when Revd Sally Muggeridge and the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields will lead us in reflecting on the theme of Hope. Finally, on Tuesday 17th November at 6.30pm, we will host the launch of the Sophia Hubs Network. Hear about hubs in Redbridge and Sophiatown and find out about ways of investing in start-ups and businesses that bring community benefit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John Tavener - The Lamb.

Philanthropy in the City: Events, exhibitions & services

In an age of austerity and growing inequality, the time is ripe to encourage more philanthropy, particularly in the City of London and to communicate widely the extent and breadth of giving in the Square Mile and Canary Wharf. The City has a proud tradition of philanthropy dating back to the Middle Ages, led by Livery Companies and the Mayorality, as is brilliantly illustrated in the exhibition Philanthropy - The City Story.

At St Stephen Walbrook we have organized a programme of events, exhibitions and services aims to share some of that story and also publicise opportunities for philanthropic contributions today. All are welcome at these events.

Exhibition: Philanthropy – The City Story (Monday 9th – Friday 20th November, Weekdays 10.00am – 4.00pm)

Philanthropy is one of London's hidden stories. The roles of business and government as channels for entrepreneurial effort are well known. But this exhibition explores philanthropy as an alternative catalyst of growth and change. It documents how philanthropy has developed over 800 years and how it has contributed to the Square Mile and society. The City, including almshouses, hospitals, open spaces, orphanages, the first public flushing loos, the Royal Exchange and even London Bridge, owes much to the great philanthropists of the Square Mile.

Exhibition: Care of Creation by Society of Catholic Artists (Monday 9th – Friday 27th November, Weekdays, 10.00am – 4.00pm. Private View – Friday 13th November)

The Society of Catholic Artists is for those engaged as professional or amateurs in the various disciplines of the visual arts, and for all those who recognise the value of the artist as an evangelist assisting in the pastoral work of the Church. The society was formed in 1929 as the Guild of Catholic Artists and Craftsmen and after WW2 was instrumental in the building of new and restoration of churches using skilled architects, sculptors, painters, silversmiths, stained glass artists, etc. Today, they are becoming international due to their uniqueness in the world. They aim still to provide not only the highest of skills for commissions but also serve to unite Catholic artists in the artist’s reflection of God’s own creativity. In this year of Pope Francis’ encyclical, ‘Care of Creation’ and respecting the spirituality of the venue, for this exhibition they are using the Pope’s message as a theme. They hope you find inspiration from something in the exhibition (http://www.catholicartists.co.uk/).

Event: Volunteers from the City (Tuesday 10th November, 6.30pm)

Jin Chin (Chair, Samaritans London Central), David Barclay (Church Credit Champions Network), Mark Choonara (The Passage) and Revd Bertrand Oliver (All Hallows by the Tower) will share opportunities for volunteering with Samaritans, Home for Good and as a Church Credit Champion.

Service: Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor of London’s year in office (Wednesday 11th November, 6.00pm)

A service to review and give thanks to God for the year in office of Alderman Alan Yarrow, Lord Mayor of London including the Lord Mayor’s Appeal (Scope and Mencap) and overseas business visits. The service will reflect the theme of the Lord Mayor’s year in office: Creating Wealth, Giving Time, Supporting People.

Services: Discover & explore – Faith, Hope & Charity (1.10 – 1.50pm) Charity – Monday 9th November; Hope – Monday 16th November; Faith – Monday 23rd November

A series of services exploring themes of Faith, Hope & Charity through liturgy, music, readings and reflections with the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Event: Launch of the Sophia Hubs network (Tuesday 17th November, 6.30pm)

Sophia Hubs help local and faith based communities use their resources – webs of relationship, location, buildings – to assist people in their localities develop new start-up businesses and social enterprises through creating an enterprise hub. This puts potential entrepreneurs in touch with the different kinds of support they need e.g. business mentoring, incubation space, becoming part of a business community, start-up capital. Sophia Hubs help faith and community groups become catalysts to make the communities they serve become more truly sustainable. They work creatively with Timebanks, which build relationships and offer a way to exchange value without using money, and work holistically and innovatively to create ways of keeping value and money circulating in the local community, identify key products and services which make a real difference in particular contexts, and encourage more entrepreneurial thinking and acting. Sophia Hubs - sustaining communities through social enterprise (http://sophiahubs.com/).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tracey Chapman - Stand By Me.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

'Hi there,

Final few places to fill for the Sophia Active Citizens and Entrepreneurs course. Starting Tues evening. Info here.

We have a full programme for November's entrepreneur's club on all things finance and legal. This is an amazingly interesting programme!

Wednesday 4th at Enterprise Desk 5.30pm - pricing, overheads, law and a big wake up call with Albert Peters!! info here (he's fun believe it or not!)

Tues 10th at St Johns 12.45 - hands on workshop on using an excel sheet for incomings and outgoings with the lovely and patient Amanda! Bring your laptops. info here

Tues 17th November - the Sophia Hubs in the City launch (info further down email)

Thurs 24th November 12.45 St Johns - Celestine Ekpenyong on 'know where you're heading to make good financial decisions. A successful start-up business on tendering and procurement. info here

Sophia Hubs has a fab City launch of our community share offer as part of Philanthropy in the City season on Tuesday 17th November. Please join us! Info here

Redbridge Chamber breakfast with Wes Streeting videos and report, including Donna's Pop Up question! info here

I'm at the volunteer fair on Thursday - find out about our fab volunteer roles! Info here

For info on the Cobra database available to all Redbridge library card holders click here

Please, please contact us if you have carried out any Timebank trades so that they are registered on the database :)

Also take a look at our updated 'Help and Support' page - thanks to volunteer Shilpa for that. :)

Best wishes,

Ros Southern

Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge
E: ros.southern@sophiahubs.com M 07707 460309 / 0208 590 2568 (answer phone)
T: @sophiahubs7k F: Sophia Hubs Seven Kings (please follow us and Like us!)'

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Floating Points - Silhouettes.

Sophia Hubs Network Launch

We are delighted to announce the City launch of the Sophia Hubs Network and the development of another arm of Sophia Hubs support to local economies, entrepreneurs and start-up businesses, including Redbridge.

The launch will be on Tuesday 17th November 6.00 - 8.00pm, St Stephen Walbrook (by Bank station).

We are launching a ‘community share offer’ so that financial institutions and investors can support projects and start-up businesses that bring value to the area.

This launch will bring together financial investors and start-up businesses and partners of the pilot being run in Redbridge. We will have information about our partner project in South Africa, the Sophiatown Motswako Enterprise Hub.

Christine Baker of Argentis Capital will give a keynote speech focusing on the place of Sophia Hubs in the wider picture of social enterprise and social impact investing in the UK and internationally. Argentis Capital works to provide capital for innovative, scalable businesses which have a positive social and/or environmental impact in both developed and developing countries worldwide.

The programme is as follows:

• Arrival (6 – 6.30pm)
• Introduction & welcome
• Sophia Hub Redbridge & Motswako Hub Sophiatown stories
• Community Share Offer launch
• Keynote speech - Christine Baker (Argentis Capital)
• Networking / Sign-up

To book a place, please email clive.sheldon@sophiahubs.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - World in Union.

SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE LORD MAYOR’S YEAR IN OFFICE

St Stephen Walbrook will host a service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor's year in office on Wednesday 11th November at 6.00pm. 

 This will review and give thanks to God for the year in office of Alderman Alan Yarrow, Lord Mayor and will be attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the Sheriffs and their consorts and many other people. 

The service will reflect the theme of the Lord Mayor’s year in office: Creating Wealth, Giving Time, Supporting People and the preacher will be the Revd. Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of the Temple. The Choir of St Stephen Walbrook will provide the music, accompanied by Joe Sentance on the organ. The service will be followed by a wine and canapé reception and, for catering purposes, please let us know you’re coming by…

• By email: Click 'Reply' to this message or send an email to 'office@ststephenwalbrook.net'
• By telephone: 020 7626 9000
• By post: The Administrator, St Stephen's Church, 39 Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN

This service is part of the wider ‘Philanthropy in the City’ programme of events at St Stephen Walbrook between 9th-20th November, including:

• The Exhibition: Philanthropy - The City Story
• The Exhibition by the Society of Catholic Artists
• An Evening Gathering: Volunteering in the City
• ‘Discover and Explore’ lunchtime services
• Launch Event of the Sophia Hubs Network

Full details of these events are available HERE. We hope to see you at as many of these occasions as possible.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neil Young - Heart of Gold.

Philanthropy in the City

In an age of austerity and growing inequality, the time is ripe to encourage more philanthropy, particularly in the City of London and to communicate widely the extent and breadth of giving in the Square Mile and Canary Wharf. The City has a proud tradition of philanthropy dating back to the Middle Ages, led by Livery Companies and the Mayorality, as is brilliantly illustrated in the exhibition Philanthropy - The City Story. 

At St Stephen Walbrook we have organized a programme of events, exhibitions and services aims to share some of that story and also publicise opportunities for philanthropic contributions today. All are welcome at these events. 

Exhibition: Philanthropy – The City Story (Monday 9th – Friday 20th November, Weekdays 10.00am – 4.00pm) 

Philanthropy is one of London's hidden stories. The roles of business and government as channels for entrepreneurial effort are well known. But this exhibition explores philanthropy as an alternative catalyst of growth and change. It documents how philanthropy has developed over 800 years and how it has contributed to the Square Mile and society. The City, including almshouses, hospitals, open spaces, orphanages, the first public flushing loos, the Royal Exchange and even London Bridge, owes much to the great philanthropists of the Square Mile. 

Exhibition: Society of Catholic Artists (Monday 9th – Friday 27th November, Weekdays, 10.00am – 4.00pm. Private View – Friday 13th November) 

The Society of Catholic Artists is for those engaged as professional or amateurs in the various disciplines of the visual arts, and for all those who recognise the value of the artist as an evangelist assisting in the pastoral work of the Church. The society was formed in 1929 as the Guild of Catholic Artists and Craftsmen and after WW2 was instrumental in the building of new and restoration of churches using skilled architects, sculptors, painters, silversmiths, stained glass artists, etc. Today, they are becoming international due to their uniqueness in the world. They aim still to provide not only the highest of skills for commissions but also serve to unite Catholic artists in the artist’s reflection of God’s own creativity. In this year of Pope Francis’ encyclical, ‘Care of Creation’ and respecting the spirituality of the venue, for this exhibition they are using the Pope’s message as a theme. They hope you find inspiration from something in the exhibition (http://www.catholicartists.co.uk/). 

Event: Volunteers from the City (Tuesday 10th November, 6.30pm) 

Jin Chin (Chair, Samaritans London Central), David Barclay (Church Credit Champions Network) and Revd Bertrand Oliver (All Hallows by the Tower) will share opportunities for volunteering with Samaritans, Home for Good and as a Church Credit Champion. 

Service: Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor of London’s year in office (Wednesday 11th November, 6.00pm) 

A service to review and give thanks to God for the year in office of Alderman Alan Yarrow, Lord Mayor of London including the Lord Mayor’s Appeal (Scope and Mencap) and overseas business visits. The service will reflect the theme of the Lord Mayor’s year in office: Creating Wealth, Giving Time, Supporting People. 

Services: Discover & explore – Faith, Hope & Charity (1.10 – 1.50pm) Charity – Monday 9th November; Hope – Monday 16th November; Faith – Monday 23rd November 

A series of services exploring themes of Faith, Hope & Charity through liturgy, music, readings and reflections with the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Event: Launch of the Sophia Hubs network (Tuesday 17th November, 6.30pm) 

Sophia Hubs help local and faith based communities use their resources – webs of relationship, location, buildings – to assist people in their localities develop new start-up businesses and social enterprises through creating an enterprise hub. This puts potential entrepreneurs in touch with the different kinds of support they need e.g. business mentoring, incubation space, becoming part of a business community, start-up capital. Sophia Hubs help faith and community groups become catalysts to make the communities they serve become more truly sustainable. They work creatively with Timebanks, which build relationships and offer a way to exchange value without using money, and work holistically and innovatively to create ways of keeping value and money circulating in the local community, identify key products and services which make a real difference in particular contexts, and encourage more entrepreneurial thinking and acting. Sophia Hubs - sustaining communities through social enterprise (http://sophiahubs.com/).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Killers - Human.

Enterprise Club

Here is the latest news of the Seven Kings Sophia Hub from Ros Southern:

"I am pleased to introduce the speaker for Tuesdays LUNCHTIME Enterprise club (change of time!!!) as Stephanie Mugo who has set up a start up osteomyology alternative therapy business in Dagenham.  Read about it here plus the new times. 

Thanks so much to Nigel Camp for leading our last enterprise club and the promise of supporting us in a creating a group blog and a group video!

I am also very pleased to introduce our new Sophia Hubs website and Timebank website and info about it here. 

After a very productive meeting with Redbridge Institute last week we are strongly recommending our start-ups to join a 5 week evening course that only costs £10 starting Monday 9th June.  More info here.  We are going to support the students who have been on this course to develop their networks and offer ongoing back up support. 

Thanks to all those that helped on our stall at the Redbridge Green Fair.

More news to follow on the re-used paint business opportunity,  support from the Redbridge Chamber of Commerce for our start-ups and more.

Have a good weekend and hope to see lots of you on Tuesday from 12 (That's when the parking restrictions end) with Stephanie speaking at 12.30.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Frames - Revelate.

New websites for Sophia Hubs

Sophia Hubs Limited has a new website explaining its work. The site including a page on the Seven Kings Sophia Hub pilot and a blog which will become the main source of news about Sophia Hubs Limited and hubs in the network. 

In addition, the Timebank set up by the Seven Kings Sophia Hub pilot also has its own website where people can register to join the Timebank in order to make offers and requests for other Timebank members.  

The Timebank is an important form of support for the new social enterprises and start-ups we are incubating at Sophia Hubs.  It will build up community networks and demonstrate the extensive skills and resources that we have in this area.  Residents will expand their contacts through giving and receiving services and skills: each hour given is worth the same whatever is being offered.

Both websites were created for Sophia Hubs Limited by Divine Aesthetic.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tom Petty - Learning To Fly.

Enterprise Club

Every Tuesday at St John's Church in Seven Kings, as part of the Sophia Hub, there is a growing network of local people wanting to start businesses meeting others who are already in business.  It's from 1.00 - 5.00pm and you can drop in any time. 

The speaker/presentation is from 2.00 - 3.30pm and the guest this week is Peter Hancock who has set up a social enterprise Carbon Values and is a Director of Organic Ilford.

Our website will be running soon, and Redbridge's first 'time bank'.  Please do just drop by and see what is happening and be part of something very exciting in the area.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fairport Convention - Who Knows Where The Time Goes.

St John's in the Ilford Recorder

There are three pieces in the Ilford Recorder this week that relate to St John's Seven Kings. I have written the Spiritual Life column which focuses on National Marriage Week and which mentions the Mothers' Union display that will be in the lounge of the St John's Centre during Marriage Week. 

St John's was one of the three churches that commissioned a painting from Henry Shelton, through commission4mission, as a retirement gift for Fr. Benjamin Rutt-Field in thanks for his ministry at St Paul's Goodmayes and within our cluster of churches. This painting was also featured in the Church Times.

Finally, the Recorder has a piece about the Sophia Course which began at St John's last night as part of the Sophia Hubs social enterprise project which is based in the building. we had an excellent session with an enthusiastic and inspiring group of people all wanting to utilise their skills and ideas for the benefit of the local community.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Water into Wine Band - Stranger In This World. 

Enterprise Club and Sophia Course

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blondie - The Tide Is High.

Sophia Course and Enterprise Club

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lifehouse - Between The Raindrops.

Sophia Hub Enterprise Club

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scott Stapp - Break Out.

Coming soon - the Seven Kings Time Bank

Sophia Hubs is based in Seven Kings as a pilot for a national project to create local hubs that help to build a thriving local economy and a rich community life.   We are running training courses, a weekly enterprise club with local speakers, business mentoring and more.  Our aim is to harness the wide and amazing wisdom, skills, resources, expertise and ideas that are already here in the community.  We are helping to inspire and kick start new social enterprises to meet the needs of Seven Kings/Ilford/Redbridge community.

Our next step is the Seven Kings time bank.  A time bank is a skills exchange network.  It will be a way for local people in Seven Kings and the surrounding areas to help each other, build relationships and be recognised for the help that they give. A time bank is a great way to get the services you need without the need for money plus to increase your confidence in the help you can give others with your own skills. 

Time banks are running all over the country. Individuals join as members and then for every hour’s help you give to another (e.g. Spanish lesson, guttering mending, web design) you receive one time credit which you can then spend on receiving help from another member (leg waxing, bike fixing, horrible internet connection problem solving).  The exchanges won’t have to be a give-take scenario between two people; time banking is a cycle of exchanges that continues on with many time bank members.

Sophia Hubs sees this as an important tool and resource to help our new entrepreneurs try out and develop their business offers and develop their customer base.  It is also a good way of increasing the relationships and networks in a neighbourhood.  The time bank broker (that’s me!) will be on hand to help you work out what you need, what you can offer and help to get you started.

The official launch will be announced soon through Redbridge CVS but in the meantime please register your interest at Sevenkingstimebank@sophiahubs.com or ring 020 8590 2568.  If you want to find out more about our training courses or enterprise club please ring or email me on ros.southern@sophiahubs.com.

In the meantime there is also an exciting and fast growing time bank for organisations (rather than individuals) in East London which we advise all Redbridge groups and businesses to join.  Find out more at ECHO:  http://economyofhours.com/.  This is an experienced time bank organisation that is helping us with the final plans for the Seven Kings time bank that is coming soon.

Ros Southern

Time bank broker, Sophia Hubs

(based at St John’s Church & Centre, St Johns Road, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex IG2 7BB)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Live - Run To The Water.

Sophia Hub Enterprise Club

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Steve Mason - A Lot Of Love.

Sophia Hub Enterprise Club

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eric Bibb - Have A Heart.

Sophia Hub Enterprise Club

Here are dates of Self-Employment Workshops being offered free to Redbridge residents by the East London Small Business Centre: 9th January from 2 – 4pm; 23rd January from 2 - 4pm; 20th February from 11 - 1pm; 12th March from 2 - 4pm; and 20th March from 2 – 4pm. For more information contact Claudia Castillo at claudiac@smallbusinesscentre.org.uk. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eliza Carthy - Just As The Tide Was Flowing.