Element Society is a youth-led charity with an enterprise mindset, says CEO Chris Hill.
It has run over 200 projects since launching in 2013: "young people become role models to their peers and we train them to deliver projects." Over 5,000 young people have changed their lives and their communities by working with Element.
People attending Specialist schools don't always get the same opportunities as people at other schools, so Element has been running a Learning through Nature programme. It has extensive benefits to participants, as Chris explains, and involves working with The National Trust – "they can add something pretty special to this programme" – and SEND schools.
Projects, trading, winning contracts, even selling pizza: it's all about bringing in unrestricted income and avoiding "mission drift." Has Element ever been in danger of diluting its mission to secure funding? How does it measure its impact? How did it secure a city-centre base from Yorkshire Building Society? And what are its criteria for working with partners and building relationships? Chris explains in this, episode 349 of Business Live.
Chris would love to hear from listeners if you can offer employment placements or training opportunities. Check out Element Society here.
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