UnLtd & Big Society Network Event

A network event to help discuss and shape how social entrepreneurs can contribute to the vision of the Big Society, and to inform them how this can best be put into practice. Organised by UnLtd, a charitable organisation set up by seven leading organisations that promote social entrepreneurship.

On Wednesday 28 July, UnLtd hosted an event for social entrepreneurs to discuss the Big Society Network and what that might mean for them. The event was (gratefully) held at Hogan Lovells LLP and is one of the first of the ‘town hall’ tours that will be taking place across the UK from now until Christmas.

The event was hosted by UnLtd’s CEO, Cliff Prior, with a talk by Steve Moore of the Big Society Network, and involved open space sessions facilitated by Johnnie Moore, where the attendees could pitch a topic of conversation (or an idea) and other’s could join it if they were interested in it.

To start the day’s proceedings, with an interesting way of explaining what the Big Society might mean, we heard from Nick Beddow, CEO of the Community Development Exchange (CDX). Nick brought with him some beautiful slides based on the cartoon Noggin the Nog and through theatrical storytelling – and humour – pitched what his take of the Big Society is.  (A blog post of Nick’s talk, appears below – or you can see the live blog posts on the scribblelive posts on this page).

If you are using social media tools to report on the day remember the hashtag is:

#unltdbig

Summary by Cliff Prior, CEO, UnLtd

by Lucy, 29/07/10 11:01pm
Why is the phrase Big Society so much more tricky than the theme that underlies it is? It seems to be about personal passions. Is the word BIG wrong? could it be start small, then reach scale? Has anyone done a deal here? yes. Has anyone arranged meetings? yes. Has it been valuable? a resounding [...]

Feedback session

by Lucy, 29/07/10 10:55pm
This is the feedback session facilitated by Johnnie Moore. Can people please email if they want to share their details /experience. There is also a space for your comments. In this limited time let’s try and get as much feedback from this as possible. The question is: what has been happening and what needs [...]

Open space: Topics for discussion (facilitated by Johnnie Moore)

by Lucy, 29/07/10 10:46pm
To help facilitate the open space session, Steve introduces Johnnie Moore. This session involves 2 rounds of conversation themes, and the group will move in to smaller groups to do this. He mapped out the room on a flipchart and explains the process… Proposed topics included: Mike Britton – sex, drinks, logistics, & property Councils [...]

Steve Moore: the ambitions of the Big Society Network (BSN)

by Lucy, 29/07/10 10:33pm
Steve begins his talk with the 3 key manifestations of the Big Society. (1) The Big Society is a political message, therefore it is contested. Steve says that whilst he is happy to discuss this in more detail with anyone, today is about getting practical.  (2) The Big Society is influencing Government policies – from [...]

Cliff Prior CEO, UnLtd: ‘as social entrepreneurs, you are the ones that will seize the opportunities thrown at us’

by Lucy, 29/07/10 9:59pm
Cliff starts his inspirational, it must be said, talk, by sharing with the group his first taste of the Big Society – or rather what the Big Society could be. At the age of 23, Cliff worked with very damaged teenagers. He recalls one particularly damaged teen who had become a cat burglar to survive, [...]

Nick Beddow, CEO of CDX: Noggin the Nog & the Big Society

by Lucy, 29/07/10 9:18pm
An interesting way of explaining what the Big Society might mean, from Nick Beddow, CEO of the Community Development Exchange (CDX). Nick brought with him some beautiful slides based on the cartoon Noggin the Nog and through theatrical storytelling - and humour - pitched what his take of the Big Society is.

Feedback & comments from participants

by Lucy, 29/07/10 1:24am
Cliff Prior, CEO asked us to start sharing and documenting ideas that may arise from this event. Amplified is happy to host this here as comments… our mission is covering the 3rd voice so please feel free.

David Wilcox on being a SocialReporter for Big Society

by quitexander, 28/07/10 11:58am
Summary: how I’ve now joined the Big Society Network team with the idea of becoming their social innovation reporter. First story idea: why we need the Big Society Store as well as the Big Society Bank. (via: http://socialreporter.com/?p=930 ) I’ve been writing a lot on the coalition government plans for Big Society over the past [...]

About UnLtd – A brief History

by quitexander, 28/07/10 12:15am
UnLtd was formed in 2000 by our seven partner organisations representatives of who form the Board of Trustees. Their vision was to create UnLtd as the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs to promote and develop the major contribution social entrepreneurs can make to society. UnLtd’s Millennium Awards are funded by the income generated from an investment [...]
by quitexander, 27/07/10 11:59pm
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