IMPACT
NJU WAS ESTABLISHED WITH START-UP FUNING FROM THE UK GOVERNMENT AND THE BIG LOTTERY - INITIALLY REACHING 350 YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.
After our initial successes in testing out the NJU concept. We moved on to create our NJU Toolkit approach, piloting our open sourced resources in economically disadvantaged areas across Greater Manchester where:
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100%
Of NJU participants reported increases in enterprise skills, confidence, wellbeing. 100% said that NJU led to greater sense of belonging within their communities.
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95%
Moved into employment, self-employment, or FE within 2 months of completing the programme.
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OVER 100
Over 100 businesses lent experience, time and mentoring to groups: shops/businesses, fair/ethically driven businesses, Business Networks, Chambers of Commerce, and an international ethical brand marketing company ('Mission Brand')
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OVER 120
Other local volunteers gave their time to support the groups
To date, all groups have generated income, winning regional and local awards. They have created a range of community enterprises – all focussing on ethical supply chains and fairer trading.
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Products and enterprises created by the groups have included: tea, coffee, chocolate bars, fudge, soaps, health and beauty items, mugs, t shirts, printed goods, key rings, artwork, crafts, cakes and bakes, a Street Food enterprise, a Cooking from Home/Events enterprise and Denim Artisan Aprons (recycled from local prison denims worn by prisoners).
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Some groups have focussed on creating service-based enterprises, including: Community Cafes, Gardening projects and Workplace/Organisational Learning/Training (focussing on learning disabilities, neurodiversity etc).
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One of our most successful NJU groups created their income through the sale of their tea and coffee products to a large, local social landlord. This allowed them to pay for their own part time youth worker, as well as paying for a group member to attend catering college.
We are now continuing our work to give away our Toolkit learning resources for FREE – to the people who need it the most. If you want to know how to get involved with NJU, please see our PARTNER page or GET IN TOUCH.