Red recruiting mentors for RISE refugee social entrepreneurs

Red Foundation has teamed up with RISE to set up a mentoring scheme for refugee social entrepreneurs.

RISE (Refugee Initiative for Social Entrepreneurs) an initiative of the UnLtd Foundation, is funded by Phase III of the European Refugee Fund, aims to unleash and encourage the potential of refugees as social entrepreneurs. RISE provides awards of up to £5000 to help individuals and groups of refugees to turn their ideas for community projects into a reality.

RISE wants to maximise the potential of individuals to succeed in their projects by providing mentoring support and are working with Red Foundation to develop the programme and recruit the volunteers needed.

Red Foundation’s CEO Jamie Thomas is delighted to be working on this initiative, ‘As a founder of a social enterprise myself, I know from personal experience how challenging it can be to get a project off the ground from scratch. It’s the practical know how from people that have run a successful business or charity that can really make the difference.’ RISE Project Manager Maryam Pasha agrees, ‘Our award winners have some great ideas and having access to an experienced mentor will be of immense value and so we’re looking forward to working with Red Foundation on this project.’

RISE supports a wide variety of projects, including teaching IT skills, youth conflict resolution, setting up a drop in centre and producing a magazine for refugee and BME communities in London, Sheffield, Norwich and Leeds.

We are looking for business and third sector leaders and managers that have experience of setting up and successfully running projects and organisations to volunteer as mentors. We specifically need people with skills and/or experience in media, ICT, working with young people, running training workshops, marketing and overall organisational/project management. Mentors will be required to meet with mentees once a month with occasional ad hoc email support; full induction will be provided with regular ongoing support and networking opportunities.

As well as targeting business professionals, we're keen to harness the support of third sector managers and leaders. As Jamie adds, ‘There are many third sector professionals that could provide valuable support to projects like these, I’ve been mentoring a number of entrepreneurs myself over the past year and it’s a hugely rewarding experience.’

For more information and to register your interest to become a RISE mentor contact Jamie on 0845 299 7162 Ext 1 or email him here.

To find out more about RISE click here .


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