Tell us about your organisation, how you started and what you do?
We are InPower Academy CIC, a social enterprise that works with young people on personal development. We use martial arts training and philosophy as a vehicle to help young people discover, achieve and fulfil their potential.
I started InPower CIC in 2016 as part of a University Scheme originally called Speed. They were advertising business start-up help when I was handing in my dissertation and leaving university.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Our greatest achievement came this year, 2020, as we made the SE100 which is a list of the top 100 social enterprises within the United Kingdom. To be part of such a prestigious list of social enterprises across the country making a great impact is a huge accomplishment.
What is your experience of support received from WVSC?
WVSC has played a huge part in where we are, I have tapped into WVSC for help from incorporating to become a Community Interest Company and deciding that this would be the best legal structure, to now, which is around growing our organisation. One of the key times we received help from WVSC was around growing our social enterprise.
WVSC launched Social Enterprise Wolverhampton, a social enterprise support scheme around preparing our business for growth through social enterprise finance. I was in touch with WVSC and Sharon most days who helped guide me through this process and found a business consultant to help us secure our foundation before growing further.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt about working with people in Wolverhampton?
The most valuable lesson that we have learnt from the young people in Wolverhampton is that we can entrust them with more than we may initially believe. Our youth have helped with ideas, coordination and delivery of some of our biggest projects. We need to give them more responsibility as this is when we see them at their best.
What are some of the challenges you face and how can WVSC help to support your organisation in the future?
COVID-19 has caused problems for everyone worldwide but we don’t want to paint the picture to the youth as a world that is hopeless and in despair. In fact quite the opposite, we want to show them how their potential is unlimited and they can still achieve.
WVSC can help with this and with spotlighting various voluntary opportunities, workshops and activities which shows youth and our team that learning and training is ongoing and that the city is still thriving regardless of the current situation.
Where can we find out more?
Website: inpower.co.uk
Facebook / Twitter
Email: d.chambers@inpower.co.uk
Would you like to be featured in our Voluntary Sector Focus? Contact Sharon Nanan-Sen on snanan-sen@wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk for more info!