Reach
Issue 8 2015
|
7
D
uring the past year, Airwave
has built a relationship
with Aik Saath, which
means ‘Together as One’ in Hundi,
Punjabi and Urdu following a
recommendation by local MP, Fiona
Mactaggart. Under the leadership
of Rob Deeks, the charity brings
together a range of Slough young
people aged 10-22 to discuss and
work together on issues that affect
them in their lives and communities.
After some informal sessions with
the charity during their regular weekly
meetings, Airwave devised ‘Unleash the
power of your potential’ – a six-week
Dragons’ Den-type business challenge.
The challenge saw teams from Aik
Saath develop ideas over the summer
holidays that had the potential to be
implemented in the local community to
deliver positive social change.
The teams were given business-
themed tasks designed to test their
skills in the areas of salesmanship,
negotiation, leadership, teamwork
and organisation.
Over the six weeks a number
of Airwave employees held workshops
with the aspiring youngsters and
covered topics such as writing a
business plan, presentation skills and a
general overview of business practices.
Following presentation sessions
at Airwave’s Slough office, the eight
teams were shortlisted to two, who
then travelled to Airwave’s London
office to present their ideas to
members of the executive committee,
including CEO Richard Bobbett.
Richard drew on his experience
as a former apprentice to encourage
the teams to build on what they have
learned in this challenge and to have
confidence in shaping successful
futures for themselves.
Members of Aik Saath, a Slough-based charity dedicated to supporting young peacemakers,
have been learning how to develop entrepreneurial skills thanks to a business and social
enterprise challenge supported by Airwave.
“All Airwave staff involved with the
charity have been really impressed
by the energy and commitment that
the group brings to all its activities,”
said Richard.
The two teams were then welcomed
to the Houses of Parliament by Fiona
Mactaggart for the presentation of the
Airwave Aik Saath Challenge 2014
Cup, taken on a tour, and then enjoyed
tea and cake next to the Thames River.
Seed were judged the winners for
their idea of helping people sow and
grow their own food by sending out
‘starter packs’ of easy to grow plant
varieties. Runners-up Federation of
Unification, who wanted to set up
a café for young carers, particularly
resonated with Airwave, who continue
to support the team to make their
project a reality in Slough.
Fiona said, “Aik Saath is a great
charity and these young people were
interested and excited by what they
had learnt during the project and
very pleased to have a chance to
tour Westminster too. The idea of a
drop in café to help young people
who take on the responsibility of
caring for their parents or brothers
and sisters is a great one. I know
that if it succeeds it will help a lot of
young people who face loneliness
and stress to cope with the extra
responsibilities they face.
“Well done to Airwave for backing
this competition. Using the skills which
exist in the company to show young
people how to plan a project and
develop a business plan is a really great
way to spread their skills and to help
Slough’s young people learn some
of the skills they need to compete in
today’s tough jobs market.”
Pictured: The winning team – Seed – were presented with
the Airwave Aik Saath Challenge 2014 Cup by Slough MP
Fiona Mactaggart (centre) during their visit to the Houses of
Parliament, where they were treated to tea on the terrace
next to the Thames River
Helping the entrepreneurs
of tomorrow
