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North West sits on mountain of unused ideas
8 out of 10
people in the North West believe they’ve had an idea that would have
a positive impact on everybody’s lives but, for the vast majority
(71%), their moment of genius remains untapped over worries such as
lack of funding or fear of failure. The findings of a survey
for the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA)
come as the organisation stumps up a massive million pounds for
great ideas to save the planet. The cash will be given to winners of
the Big Green Challenge, a competition that opens to encourage
people across the UK to work together to tackle climate change.
80% of those questioned in the North West believe ideas from
ordinary people can make a huge difference to serious social
problems like climate change, as well as crime, health and
education. However, the findings suggest a lack of funds (28%), lack
of confidence or fear of ridicule (31%) and not knowing where to
start (26%) are stopping some of the 442,000 bright ideas people
from the North West dream up every week from being realised.
Designed to address these barriers and develop home-grown ideas into
carbon-cutting initiatives, the Big Green Challenge will encourage
groups of people and not-for-profit organisations to think of new
ways to reduce the carbon emissions of a community. Initial ideas
must be submitted by the end of February 2008, after which the top 100
will be whittled down to a short list of 10 finalists, each of whom
will receive £20,000, mentoring and support to put their ideas into
practice. The group with the most imaginative and successful
approach at the end of the competition will win the lion’s share of
£1 million.
More than half of those in the North West surveyed by NESTA claim
they’d be motivated to act on their ideas if they had financial
backing or reward. At the same time, changing people’s lives (49%)
and helping the local community (40%) are seen as the most important
end results of having good ideas.
Commenting on the survey, NESTA Chief Executive Jonathan Kestenbaum
said:- “The findings suggest that many of the potentially
great ideas out there that could have a real impact on our big
social problems are going to waste. The New Year offers an
opportunity to bring these ideas to the surface. By providing a
financial incentive and expert support, we hope to encourage
communities across the North West to come together to find new ways
to tackle climate change.”
Cliff Prior, Chief Executive of UnLtd, the social enterprise experts
who will be helping NESTA handle applications, added:- “This
survey hits the button: there are so many people with great ideas
and a real passion to change things in their community, but they
need confidence, funding and technical support to make that happen.
UnLtd supports over 1,000 social entrepreneurs each year and we know
that real change comes from the bottom up.”
Further findings from the North West survey show:-
A 5th claim to have their flash of inspiration while doing household
chores
Many ideas literally
go down the plughole, as the shower or bath is rated as the top
place for inspiring creativity for 12% of those questioned
Those interested in taking part in the Big Green Challenge should go
to
biggreenchallenge.org.uk to
find out more and submit an application form. |
NSPCC calls on people to “think small” & put a stop to
child abuse
PEOPLE across
Southport are being encouraged to help the NSPCC spread the message
about ending cruelty to children by displaying a new poster that has
been created for their latest campaign “Be the Full Stop”.
The “think small” poster can be downloaded from
bethefullstop.com and by visiting the local
campaigning deed. Copies can be ordered by filling out a brief order
form on the bethefullstop.com site and ten copies can be obtained
free of charge. Why not put the poster up in your local school,
doctor’s surgery or shop noticeboard.
The poster includes information about NSPCC helplines and so could
help provide contact information to someone who has concerns about a
child’s well-being, or to a child experiencing abuse themselves.
The poster supports
the NSPCC campaign which aims to demonstrate how individual actions
can, and do contribute to ending abuse and calls on the public to
join in taking action against child abuse.
This campaign encourages
people to visit bethefullstop.com to find
out more information and get involved in ending child cruelty.
Once on the site, people can commit to a number of ‘deeds’ which
include signing a petition, joining a local campaign or making a
donation.
People can also obtain information on how they can help
end cruelty to children as individuals, with a group or as part of
an organisation.
The NSPCC cannot end cruelty to children by itself and works with
other organisations to provide vital services for local children and
families. Be the FULL STOP is the public’s opportunity to play a
role in putting an end to child abuse.
There are a range of simple actions that people can take to BE the
FULL STOP including:-
· Wearing a FULL STOP badge
· Getting involved in a local campaign
· Joining a fundraising group
· Learning how to recognise the signs of abuse
· Volunteering for ChildLine or another NSPCC service
· Donating £2 a month
· Reading an issue of Your Family
· Using, saving and passing on the directory enquiry number 118 520
which donates 9p per call to the NSPCC |
