Humanotopia
Company:
Humanutopia
Programme:
Future Innovators
Discipline:
Enterprise Education
Location:
UK wide
Funding:
£30,000
Year funded:
2006
Website:
www.humanutopia.com
Description/aims
With over 30 years' combined experience of working in schools, Humanutopia's co-directors Carlo Missirian and Graham Moore are on a mission to improve opportunities for young people - on both a personal and career level.
As Carlo explains, "there's a lot of failure in schools because of the way attainment is measured. If kids don't fit into the system, they are marginalised and can fail to reach their full potential. This may result in anti-social behaviour or them becoming a quiet lamb that withdraws into themselves."
Guided by a 'people-first' philosophy, Humanutopia runs workshops in schools designed to challenge the status quo and lay down strong foundations for a positive future.
Why we funded
The NESTA funding is going towards a year-long project for Year 11 students - the PAL (Preparation for Adult Life) programme at the Harefield Academy, London. PAL involves students in range of activities - from examining their own behaviour and attitudes, to developing leadership skills by looking after Year 7s on their first day at a new school.
Students will also have the chance to devise and run workshops on subjects of their own choice, fostering personal growth as well as developing commercial enterprise skills.
Impact/benefit
Humanutopia is excited to be working with the same group of people over the course of a year. As Carlo explains, "too often, we go in and achieve great results with a day workshop, but that's it. This way we'll be able to follow-up and see real results."