Real Ideas Organisation

RIO at Voice10: The Social Enterprise conference of the year

We're at this year's Voice10 conference, the Social Enterprise Coalition's core event where everyone interested and involved in social enterprise rocks up to find out more about what's happening in the sector.

Set up on stand 17 we have had a regular flow of traffic from interested people keen to hear more about the work that we are doing with young people, how we help local authorities, schools, government departments and other national partners make real and lasting improvement and how we think social enterprise has got a big role to play in our collective future.

It's also the first time that we have spoken about our plans to launch a Real Social Enterprise Qualification, a way of young people gaining recognition for the socially entrepreneurial work they are doing. We're pleased to say that it has generated a real excitement with everyone we've spoken to and we've got some new recruits to try out the pilot Qualification this spring.

We also had interesting chats with Newport Housing Association, Eastside Consulting and Abergevenny Community Centre, especially focusing on the ever nearing opening of the Devonport Guildhall and how we have set about turning a deteriorating listed building into a buzzing social enterprise hub and community centre.

Day One of the conference was also a chance to hear from the new CEO of the Coalition, Peter Holbrook, who introduced himself and his plans for the next few years, aiming to spread a pandemic of social enterprise across the world. We also listened to Angela Smith, Minister for the 3rd Sector as she shared her thoughts on growth, business and the role social enterprise has to play in our future economy; all interesting stuff.

Day Two was the day for breakout sessions and workshops which lead to interesting discussions and debates on subjects such as 'selling social enterprise' and 'social media'. The guys at Xtra-vert produced coasters from recycled wood for the RIO stand which interestingly provided a conversation starter for those wanting to know more about us. I liked them because they were 'real', served a purpose and told a meaningful story, perhaps they could build us a miniature skate ramp for the next one!

Look out for us at the 2011 event.......

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