The announcement of the winners of the Bright Stars Autumn/Winter 2023 programme marks a significant milestone in celebrating the achievements of Cumbria’s emerging entrepreneurs. This initiative, spearheaded by the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP) and bolstered by the support of local businesses, is dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial acumen among the youth of Cumbria.
The competition provided participating schools with £50 in seed funding, charging them with the task of establishing their own small-scale social enterprise within a 12-week timeframe. The competition’s comprehensive categories encompassed areas such as leadership, marketing, community engagement, and technology implementation.
The young entrepreneurs exhibited a remarkable array of projects, including winter warmer packs, festive products, and tree planting initiatives, all with the aim of effecting positive change within their communities. Particularly notable was the success of Ewanrigg Junior School, whose ‘most profitable social enterprise’ reaped an impressive profit of £2066.76 by creating winter warmer packs for the elderly. This achievement stands as a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the students involved.
Additionally, Derwent Vale Primary and Nursery School secured an award for demonstrating excellent communication skills through their Christmas cosy day, organised in collaboration with Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project, showcasing their capacity to effectively engage with and communicate within the community.
Broughton Moor Primary School was recognised for their innovative marketing concept, ‘Tradimals’, a collection of wildlife-themed trading cards complemented by a compelling theme tune and an effective marketing strategy.
Meanwhile, Seaton St Paul’s C of E Junior School, with the support of a business student from the University of Cumbria and a dedicated volunteer, was acknowledged for demonstrating exceptional leadership skills through their customer service team’s endeavours during a hot chocolate cones sale at Dunmail Park, evidencing their ability to lead and engage with customers in a meaningful manner.
Valley Primary School and Nursery, with sponsorship from Barclays Eagle Labs and Nuclear Waste Services, stood out for their exceptional use of technology through engaging videos, 3D printed Christmas decorations, and the promotion of environmentally friendly products on social media – formidable demonstrations of innovative technology implementation to drive their social enterprise.
Broughton Primary School clinched the award for the best social enterprise business idea with ‘Elfridges’, a concept enabling children to select, wrap, and label presents, with a significant portion of the profits reinvested back into the community.
The judges expressed high praise for the quality of projects presented, acknowledging the high standards and creativity displayed by the participating schools.
The schools and businesses involved will be commemorating their achievements at an upcoming online event scheduled for January 25th. This will undoubtedly be a well-deserved occasion to acknowledge the tireless efforts and commitment of all those involved in the programme.
Looking ahead, the CforLP has commenced registrations for the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2024 Bright Stars programmes, inviting local businesses to continue their support in developing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in Cumbria. This presents an invaluable opportunity for businesses to play a pivotal role in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of young people and equipping them to make a positive impact within their communities.
In conclusion, the success of the Bright Stars Autumn/Winter 2023 programme underscores the significance of fostering entrepreneurial skills in young individuals and the positive outcomes that can ensue from such initiatives. Congratulations to all the winners, and here’s to the continued success of Cumbria’s young entrepreneurs!
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