By Georgina Rees
Enactus Sheffield is a student run company based at the University of Sheffield, dedicated to running commercial and social action projects to make a difference to the lives of others both in our community and internationally.
Through both social and commercial projects we aim to harness students’ entrepreneurial spirit, to make a difference in our local community and to communities abroad. Commercial projects enable students to run real, profitable businesses, allowing them to use their creativity and business acumen to raise money for our social portfolio. Through social projects and working with vulnerable people Enactus aims to positively impact their lives through the power of social enterprise, students work proactively and are rewarded by witnessing the changes in their lives first hand!
Every year, we present a handful of our projects at the Enactus National Competition. This is a great event which allows students to showcase what they have achieved in the year and provides exposure to their projects to allow them to expand and continue their work. In 2013, Enactus Sheffield won the National Competition. It’s a great opportunity to not only to have an impact on the world whilst at university.
Here at Sheffield, there are commercial projects which include The Intern, Marketing Mission, Football Frenzy, Campus Clothing and Event Planning. The Intern is a unique competition designed to test and develop a variety of entrepreneurial skills for students, based on the TV show The Apprentice. The Marketing Mission group aims to bridge the gap between Sheffield students and the Sheffield sports teams. Football Frenzy is a student run football league which runs on a Sunday to raise money for social projects. Campus Clothing is a student run business that supplies personalised clothing to societies and organisations. Event Planning gives aspiring event planners the opportunity to run events to raise funds for Enactus.
Some of the social projects are: HOPE Local, HOPE Nigeria, Homemade and Blankets for Bolivia. Hope Local aims to empower vulnerable women who have previously been sexually or domestically abused, or trafficked, through Enterprise. Hope Nigeria offers pastoral care and personal development for all women, including educational qualifications, business management courses, counselling and legal assistance. Enactus Sheffield created the ‘Homemade’ project, working with homeless men to help them gain financial stability and become self-sufficient again. Blankets for Bolivia run a social enterprise making emergency blankets from recycled crisp packets.
I would highly recommend getting involved with Enactus, not only is it a great thing to do but it will also look fantastic on your CV!