June 30, 2014

Accelerating a community approach to social change in the Illawarra

Innovation incubator iAccelerate has partnered with social enterprise Wild Rumpus to drive social change in Wollongong.

From the coffee shop run by a welfare agency to funeral services that are by the community for the community, there’s a growing sentiment that business should and can be done differently.

While much is made of the high-tech startups that will generate economic change, UOW business incubator iAccelerate is partnering with a locally run social change program to make a difference to the lives of many in their community.

The innovative School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) is rolling out an expansion of its learning programs into regional Australia with the hope that Wollongong will be on the list.

SSE Australia's learning programs train groups of entrepreneurial individuals in key practical and business skills that they can then apply to developing a social enterprise that makes a positive community benefit.

Wild Rumpus, an-Illawarra based initiative started by Caitlin Marshall and Lizzie Rose to foster creative talent and support a resourceful, sustainable community, are looking to partner with iAccelerate and SSE to deliver the prestigious Social Change 101 program that includes skills workshops, expert sessions and mentors who will empower the future social entrepreneurs and their community enterprises.

Wild Rumpus Co-founder Caitlin Marshall said their own social startup journey began 18 months ago when the duo were part of SSE's Sydney Accelerator Program with access to mentors and specialised training in measuring social impact that helped them form and execute their idea.

They also participated in the iAccelerate Pitch 2013 where their Wild Rumpus concept won the Audience Choice award.

Wild Rumpus now provides a program for creative types to share and develop skills while generating an environment for problem solving based on fun and a sense of community.

“The majority of people who become social entrepreneurs are women and many have a welfare or community work background. The big challenge is in moving from a community member with a fantastic idea to help their community, to being a businesswoman making a positive social impact.”

Ms Marshall said the partnership with SSE and iAccelerate would prepare participants with shared knowledge and structure to go and help other social enterprises to grow.

“They will be able to pass on experience to people at the early stage of their social business model and what’s unique about social entrepreneurs.”

Wollongong is being considered as a location for Social Change 101 based on a feasibility study conducted by SSE in 2013 that showed a diverse and vibrant community would significantly benefit from capability building in their enterprise models.

“Wollongong has a lot of challenges with unemployment, particularly youth unemployment. Social enterprises offer relief and solutions to some of these problems creating employment and training for people who are often most disadvantaged,” Ms Marshall said.

“Social enterprises recognise that not everyone has the same access and capacity to cope in the job market but we can support them to find suitable work. Providing someone who may not otherwise be able to get an apprenticeship because of complex needs with other skills training options, by enabling economic power, that’s what can really change lives.”

iAccelerate CEO Elizabeth Eastland said iAccelerate was honoured to partner to with Wild Rumpus to deliver programs with tangible social benefits for local communities.

“From the outset a strategic goal for iAccelerate has been to support social entrepreneurship and social action in the Illawarra. Economic change is about enabling people in the community to use their skills and implement ideas that not only create jobs but also make a real difference to people’s lives. iAccelerate will bring to the partnership expertise and networks that will help nurture local enterprises.”

To deliver the Social Change 101 program, Wild Rumpus needs the support of local business to sponsor the initiative. SSE is looking to provide funding and local partners are required to match that commitment. UOW has raised $11,000 in support of the program and they require a further $19,000 to meet their commitment. 

“This is also an opportunity for an Illawarra-based company interested in positioning itself as a leader in innovation and a supporter of social action in the Illawarra to get involved as a sponsor.”

More: wildrumpus.com.au and iaccelerate.com.au