Business
Get to know the Social Enterprises taking part in the BNest Showcase 2019
BNest Showcase 2019 – Kasia Zabinska and Eamon Ryan of BNest (3rd and 4th back row from left) pictured with participants of the 2018- 2019 Incubator Programme who will be showcasing their projects this Tuesday, March 12. Picture: Richard Lynch/ilovelimerick bnest showcase 2019 bnest showcase 2019
Get to know the Social Enterprises taking part in the BNest Showcase 2019
BNest, the first dedicated Social Enterprise Incubator, is an initiative created specifically to support social entrepreneurs nurture their start-ups, and caters to all types of organisations from charities to businesses with a social conscience. On Tuesday, March 12, BNest are holding their Bnest Showcase 2019 to highlight these enterprises and the substantial progress that has been made with the help of BNest, as well as to allow others to view the real social impact that each individual organisation is having on the broader community they are serving.
Since September 2016, in partnership with Nexus Centre UL, BNest have been running a six-month programme in which emerging social enterprises learn how to get their new organisations off to the best start by focusing on key areas related to developing their enterprises, in terms of business, social and personal aspects.
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Eamon Ryan who founded and self-funded BNest said, “We are the first fully-fledged social incubator in Ireland, and the idea was to create a peer group which shared experiences that could help one another. BNest has been given a home by the University of Limerick, where participants have access to the full facilities of the Nexus Innovation Centre. The venture is being philanthropically funded for three years at a cost of about €20,000 per programme, while participation is free for the enterprises selected. Last year, nine enterprises completed the programme, and there are another eight enterprises taking part in this year’s programme.”
Pictured are Shane Craul, Our Green Vision and Pauline Gannon, BNest . Picture: Richard Lynch/ilovelimerick
At the BNest Showcase 2019, the graduates will showcase their enterprises which are achieving real social impact across the Midwest, dealing with various issues from mental health to the environment. Eamon adds, “These passionate people have worked on their projects for the past 6 months and we are excited to invite you to join us for a showcase event, where you’ll learn more about each of the projects and meet the people behind them.”
In addition to the display booths, a short informal presentation will be made by each enterprise.
The Limerick Gateway to Education was also involved with the BNest Incubator last year. Founder, Suzanne Roche said, “I took part in the BNest Incubator programme last year, and its content and ongoing support for our project has continued to be invaluable. When I started the project in 2012, I was very much on my own, it’s a fantastic programme as you have on the spot follow up if issues arise. A great programme to get involved in, if you’re a start-up.”
BNest extends a friendly welcome to the BNest Showcase 2018 on Tuesday, March 12 from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at the Nexus Innovation Centre, Tierney Building, University of Limerick. All are welcome and admission is free but registration is essential. To register go to www.bnest.ie/events.
This year’s featured Social Enterprises are:
- Bereft.ie
Bereft.ie, created by Carmel Cuddy, helps and supports all families dealing with bereavement by providing an online resource connecting them to all bereavement services and assisting with practical (legal, financial or administrative) challenges during bereavement.
- Buheri Consult
Alphonse Basogomba, founder of Buheri Consult believes diversity is the norm rather than the exception, however, inclusion is something that needs to be created. His company provides workshops, programmes and consultancy services to the private and public sector.
- Carers Network Ireland
CNI’s founder Ronah Corcoran spent many years caring for the most vulnerable. Recently she decided to shift her focus to providing care to her peers. CNI addresses increasing mental health issues in the care sector, by providing workshops, events, individual supports and by creating a supportive community.
- JS Equine Therapies
Interacting with horses- intelligent, intuitive and social animals, is proven to be a highly effective form of therapy. JS Equine Assisted Therapies creates a space for people to explore and find the answers from within.
- Project Inspire
Project Inspire, led by Kelly Fitzgerald of Tait’s House Community Enterprise, helps young people to prepare for their future. Carefully prepared, engaging hands-on activities allow students to explore different career paths (social enterprise being one of them), make them aware of their environmental impact and inspire them to pursue their dreams.
- Lampróg Theatre
Lampróg Theatre strongly believes that every young person has a right to opportunities that allow them to grow into their best self. This is what makes Lampróg unique, it’s more than theatre, it’s a way to create inclusion, wellbeing and young people that are active agents for social change.
- Live Out Loud
Live Out Loud, founded by Susan Kaup and Elsabé De Villiers, provides support and intervention for children, teenagers and young adults living with mild to moderate intellectual disability and their families. A strength-based, person-centred and holistic approach, aligned to the individual’s abilities, strengths, interests, talents, gifts, and needs, which allows young people to feel accepted, included and to live out loud wherever they find themselves.
- Mr Tait’s Café
Mr Taits Cafe is about more than just the wonderful food they serve on a daily basis. It is a social enterprise that educates, encourages and inspires. Every individual that works at Mr Taits Cafe – behind the scenes or from a customer service perspective – is part of a team where the primary ethos is one of fostering confidence, employability and skills development. They are proud of the food they produce, the careers they nurture and the people who play their part in the Mr Taits Cafe experience.
- Our Green Vision
Plastic invention changed the way we live but came with a high price for the natural environment. Shane Craul’s research on eliminating oceans plastic waste started with the idea of creating an international standard, a “Quality Mark” that will ensure sustainable use of plastic and it has developed into a key enabler for how we will transition to a Circular Economy.
- Thinking Jobs
Thinking Jobs is a specialist recruitment agency aimed at getting a significant number of adults with Disabilities into sustainable and long-term employment. We do not seek charity, we simply want the opportunity to deliver a very high-quality commercial service to meet a real commercial need.
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Pictures: Richard Lynch/ilovelimerick
