Britain's New Radicals revealed

19/02/12

The Observer and NESTA today announced their list of Britain's 50 New Radicals - people and organisations that are changing the UK for the better.

View the full list here

The inaugural search for Britain's New Radicals began in December 2011 with the aim of finding and celebrating 50 inspiring people or organisations that - in practical ways - are finding ingenious new solutions to challenges in areas such as health, education, ageing, unemployment, community regeneration and wellbeing.

In its first year, there were a whole range of applications from across the country and in a number of sectors - all with creative solutions to existing problems.

The search for Britain's New Radicals has gained widespread support from all three major political parties, and the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition have all expressed their support for this project.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: 'The people and organisations recognised today have all made extremely valuable contributions to their communities - through a variety of things like helping people back to work, transforming their local environment into spaces all people can enjoy or by giving carers a well-earned break.

What they've done is inspiring, they've made projects happen bringing about genuine and positive change and they are building the bigger, stronger society that I want us all to be a part of. I hope their example will motivate others to take action and get involved.'

Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband said: 'I am proud to endorse NESTA's scheme to celebrate Britain's New Radicals. This is a fantastic initiative that will highlight the work that goes on right across the UK to make Britain a better place and to strengthen our communities and societies. It has unearthed some great examples of people taking the initiative to create positive social change.'

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: 'Britain has a proud history of innovation and creativity which clearly continues to flourish. The list published today is a fantastic showcase for the amazing and inspiring projects across the country, every one of which is focused on improving communities. The range and diversity of enterprises is striking, from improving the chances of some of the most disadvantaged young people to making places greener. I applaud the efforts of everyone who is putting their ingenuity to the test, turning original ideas into practice and as a result making lives better.'

The 50 'New Radicals' were selected by a panel of expert judges which consisted of Martha Lane Fox, UK Digital Champion, Geoff Mulgan, Chief executive of NESTA, Lucie Siegle writer and ethical living columnist for The Observer, John Mulholland, editor of The Observer and Indy Johar, co-founder of 00:/, in recognition of the outstanding work they are doing.

Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of NESTA, says: 'Britain is rich in radicals who are turning ideas into practice - from inventors and entrepreneurs to community activists and public servants. Yet our celebrity culture often means that we pay them little attention.  We hope that this list will prompt greater interest in the many fascinating and inspiring things happening all over the country, and an overdue debate about what more could be done to help pioneering radicals bring their ideas to life.'

John Mulholland, editor of The Observer, says: 'It's a thrilling list, and a timely antidote to cynicism and despair. At times in the UK we seem to be deluged by negativity. Well, look at this list and take some time to reflect on the many people and groups who are motivated to do something to materially change the lives of Britons - for the better. I think the message is clear - if at all possible, do something. It beats doing nothing.'

The 50 new radicals are:

1)     3space                                  

2)     Adil Abrar

3)     Andy Bradley, Frameworks 4 Change

4)     Community Land Scotland

5)     Dave Lynch, The Greenhouse

6)     Dr. Paul Wicks, PatientsLikeMe

7)     FairPensions (FairShare Educational Foundation)

8)     i-Probono

9)     Jane Davis - founder and director of the reader organisation

10)  Jenny Dawson, Rubies in Rubble

11)  Just Add Spice

12)  Iris Lapinski

13)  Lewis Archer

14)  Lexxic

15)  Livity

16)  Maslaha

17)  MyBnk

18)  Nick Stanhope

19)  Openstreet Map

20)  Peter de Haan, Ideas Tap

21)  respect4us

22)  Rob Hopkins, Transition Town movement

23)  Professor Dominic Shellard, Square Mile initiative

24)  Shift.ms

25)  The Finance Innovation Lab

26)  The Liverpool Project

27)  Women Like Us

28)  Workingrite

29)  Pamela Warhurst (Edible Todmorden)

30)  Dementia Adventure (Neil Mapes)

31)  Start Again

32)  Uprising

33)  Access Space

34)  Doeke Dobma, from Clinks Care Farm

35)  Alex Fox, Chief Executive of Shared Lives (used to be NAAPs)

36)  Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov from Manchester University: The inventors of graphene

37)  Shauneen Lambe who started just for kids law.

38)  Tom Chigbo, community organiser in Lambeth, citizens uk

39)  Jane ni Dhulchaointigh - Sugru

40)  Jamal Edwards founder of SBTV

41)  Angela Morgan Chief Executive of Includem

42)  Michael Acton-Smith, CEO, Mind Candy

43)  Homeless World Cup

44)  Conrad Wolfram, Wolfram Research Europe

45)  Gavin Jones, Chief Executive of Swindon Council

46)  Mike Bracken

47)  The Brilliant Club

48)  KwickScreen

49)  DRMM

50)  Dougald Hine, creator of the School of Everything and Spacemakers

Following the publication in the Observer showcasing the, work of these people and organisations there will be a London reception to celebrate 'Britain's New Radicals' in early 2012.  Each 'New Radical' will be invited to join a network and participate in workshops, supported by NESTA to inspire more radical new ideas that can change the world for the better.

For more information, and for brief summaries on each 'New Radical', visit www.nesta.org.uk/britainsnewradicals

-Ends-

Notes to editor:

For further information, please contact Guy Bilgorri on 0207 438 2611/ Guy.Bilgorri@nesta.org.uk or Jan Singleton on 020 7438 2606/ jan.singleton@nesta.org.uk

About NESTA

NESTA is the UK's foremost independent expert on how innovation can solve some of the country's major economic and social challenges. Its work is enabled by an endowment, funded by the National Lottery, and it operates at no cost to the taxpayer.

NESTA is a world leader in its field and carries out its work through a blend of experimental programmes, analytical research and investment in early-stage companies

Britain's 50 New Radicals application criteria:

We were looking for people, projects, organisations and services that have designed fresh and innovative approaches and methods (social, technological, scientific, artistic) in practical ways to transform our society for the better. These new organisations and services might come from familiar areas such as health, ageing, education, community life, the green economy and tackling challenges such as poverty, loneliness, young people and unemployment, wellbeing and regeneration. Or they could break entirely new ground.

The criteria for entering was:

• An entrant must have been operating for at least six months and show evidence that it is meeting its goals and is sustainable. It doesn't matter how small the project - a good idea can always grow.

• An entrant can nominate itself or be nominated by others.

• Entrants must be based in the UK and not primarily motivated by profit.

The judges included:

• John Mulholland, editor of The Observer

• Geoff Mulgan, chief executive of NESTA

• Martha Lane Fox, UK Digital Champion

• Alicia Navarro, tech entrepreneur and CEO and founder of Skimlinks

• Lucy Siegle writer and ethical living columnist for The Observer

• Indy Johar, co-founder of 00:/

For further information, visit: www.nesta.org.uk/britainsnewradicals