Meet The Execs: Jonny Urmston

In following with our employability theme, this week we speak to Jonny Urmston, who as Corporate Relations Executive, is responsible for all contact we have with sponsors, companies and business advisors.


Name and course?

Jonny Urmston, third year Accounting and Financial Management

Tell us about your hometown 

I live in a village called Culcheth, it’s on the outskirts of Warrington. It’s not too small, but it only has one club which is pretty rubbish and it’s a half hour drive to either Manchester or Liverpool so it’s not the best for nights out! It has a nice golf course! It’s just closer to Manchester than Liverpool, so I’m justified in supporting Manchester United.

What was your favourite moment of the summer?

I did an internship with Deloitte in Liverpool and at the end of my placement, I had an interview for a grad job which I was successful in. So that was probably my best moment of the summer. Apart from that I went on a few holidays to Majorca and Rhodes but apart from that I pretty much worked all summer so nothing exciting!

Do you feel Enactus has improved your employability?

It has definitely improved my employability. You gain so much experience in your projects and when in an interview it is much more impressive than using examples from group work on your course. When I had an interview for my internship I was able to answer pretty much all of the competency questions with examples from being part of Enactus.

Marmite. Discuss. 

Have to admit I am pro-marmite. Wouldn’t say I was mad on it but I wouldn’t turn down marmite on toast!

If you had to move to another country, where would you go?

Either, America or Australia. I went to Sydney and Cairns on a biology field trip in college and it was amazing so I would love to go back! I’ve always wanted to travel round America, the food on Man vs Food looks awesome and I’d love to work on Wall street and have a huge house!   

How does actually working on a project compare to being an exec member?

There are benefits of both, so if you’ve joined Enactus early I would definitely recommend starting in a project and then moving onto the Exec team. When working in a project you get the chance to actually make an impact, be it either socially or make money to fund the social portfolio. It’s a great chance to meet new people in your team. Being part of the Exec team you have the chance to improve your leadership skills and you can contribute to the overall strategy of the company. Also, you can tell the person conducting an interview you’re actually a director of a Limited company which is pretty impressive!

List 3 things you couldn't live without.

Phone, muffins (got a new obsession) and Enactus (just for the blog)        

   

Favourite thing to munch on during Enactus evening?

Has to be a subway – Italian BMT

Employability Tips For Students!

Thinking about your future? I've put together a few hints and tips on making yourself employable for those who are just starting to consider what on earth they are going to do when they leave University!

1. Join a club/society

I'm currently in the process of researching employability for a careers essay, and yes, you get told this all the time for a reason: A Degree Is Not Enough. Employers recruit a shockingly low percentage of people with absolutely no work experience... zero percent infact. So get some experience! Turn up the freshers fair, and when you sign up for everything without intending to turn up to anything, make the effort to turn up to just one thing. Luckily for myself, the thing I chose to be worth my time was joining Enactus, so I decided to put my hangover aside for a couple of hours a week, and get going with some social enterprise. Employability wise, this was the smartest thing I have ever done.

2. Get involved

So you've selected your club/society and made a commitment. Well done. But the great thing about societies at University is that you can take as much or as little responsibility as you want. If you have a good idea for a new project, you can make it happen! Employers are looking for those individuals that show commitment and passion to a task or cause. As the HR director Kirsty will remind me, "You can always reach higher." 

3. Work experience and internships

Try to fill your CV with impressive and unique work experience. Utilise your parents/friends/neighbors when asking around to see if anyone can let you shadow them for a week. Paid summer internships with large companies are extremely competitive, but being successful is all down to practice. In second year, I must have applied to over 40 organisations; finally getting lucky in the last week of term. So my advice would be, keep trying keep trying keep trying!

4. Networking opportunities

Some people already have contacts in the industries they are trying to get into, but many don't! In this case, its important to make the effort and grow your networks. The careers department send out weekly emails about employers visiting the University, and turning up to these will give you the chance to meet representatives. Joining Enactus also allows members the chance to network with employers and business advisers, and trust me, they remember you at interview!

5. Research

 Employers like to check that you've made the effort to find out what kind of role you genuinely want to do, they don't want to waste your time as much as you don't want your time wasted. So when you apply for a company and role, make sure your reasons for doing so are concrete and that you can explain this to them. Having networked with representatives is a good way to prove your point; if you can pinpoint and explain something a graduate has told you, this will really display your interest.

6. Reflection

Another important aspect is reflection. Reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses will allow you to improve on anything that you feel you need to. Companies also feel it is important for a potential employer to be able to reflect and improve, so practice this throughout your work experience and time spent in societies/clubs. Ask your friends and peers for feedback and think about what you can do.

7. Use the careers service

Have you been in the careers library lately?? Theres computers, hundreds of books trying to help you decide what you want to do, and even more books showing you all the jobs out there with pros, cons and salary expectations. Drop in sessions and official appointments allow you to speak with members of the careers department, who can check your applications, give you CV help, or just chat to you about your options. Sheffield students can book an appointment by calling the Careers Service on 0114 222 0910.

8. Online applications

A thousand hours later, when you finally click "submit" on an online application, you need to come away with the feeling that there is no way the company can possibly ignore what you have written. Think of ways you can adapt your experiences to display the qualities they are looking for in the competency question. For example, if you have been part of an international team, you could explain how this meant you had to deal with conflict, cope under pressure, work in a team, motivate others or negotiate new deals, depending on what the company is asking and looking for. Look at the core characteristics the company ask for in a person, and try and drop these "buzzwords" into your answers to get noticed.

9. Assessment centres

You've already been tested and identified as someone capable of doing the role, and now it's just time to show your personality. So when your sitting in a sweltering corporate room surrounded by other candidates and being stared at by assessors, remember to smile! Keep your energy levels high all day, ask as many questions as you can think of, connect with those around you and show your enthusiasm. Even if, on paper, you may not be the strongest candidate for the role, if you can win them over with your energy then the assessors will want to work with you. 

10. Join The Intern

The Intern is a competition run by Enactus for students, providing the winner & runner up with paid summer internships with two Times Top-100 Companies. The competition will involve a structure similar to that of The BBC Apprentice, with different entrepreneurial tasks running each week. Not only could you win an internship, but through the competition you can gain skills for life, and receive exemptions from your Sheffield Graduate Award.

Sign up to our mailing list below to receive updates before the competition starts in Early 2014.
http://theinternsheffield.wordpress.com/

Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela

Friday at Penelopes for H2Ohh!

The night started of with some chilled vocals from Growlin' Al Gordon and Robbie Thompson of The Buffalo Skinners, followed by ambitious young band Brave New Storm (one to watch... we've been loving their songs recently). 

Then the Friday Night Jazz Ensemble from the University played some classic jazz mixed in with some RnB mash ups. This was hard to follow, but the University Samba Band managed it, which really got the audience going with their beats. I've watched them play on the concourse outside the student union before and was so captivated I couldn't leave. The band have excellent taste in socks. Anyway, the night finished with newly signed local band I Set The Sea on Fire, who are bound to go on to to big things (check them out on YouTube!!). The band and audience really enjoyed the chilled, intimate atmosphere, which is typical of the venue at Penelopes. Who knows... we might even hold another next term!  

Meet The Execs: Caroline Turner

The long anticipated interview with the managing director of Enactus Sheffield, Caroline, is finally here. Caroline has put her heart and soul into managing the company, so its not surprising that when asked what she would do with 24 hours and a limitless budget, the first thing she thinks of is simply "sleep". 

Name and course?
Caroline and I am a second year accounting and financial management student. When you first signed up as a member last year, did you have any idea how much you would get involved in Enactus? No! Definitely not, I was very happy working in HOPE and loved my team and the great work the project does. In fact, when Bethan, the international director, approached me to step up to the HOPE Nigeria team I actually said no twice. The somehow I just got more involved and ended up shadowing the previous managing director, still certain that I was fine in my original project and reluctant to move. Having said that I couldn’t be happier that I became more involved as now Enactus is my life. I would definitely recommend that everybody signs up to the rotational trainee scheme! Where was your favorite holiday?
My all time favourite holiday was to Thailand where I got to ride elephants and feed baby tigers - it was incredible! I would love to go back one day. Describe your bedroom? Colourful - mainly pink! I also got 500 pictures printed out last year so there’s not much free wall space. If you had 24 hours to do absolutely whatever you wanted, with no responsibilities or a budget, what would you do? The possibilities to do something really exciting are endless but I think I would just catch up on sleep, and probably visit my family as I definitely don’t see enough of them! What was it like taking over from Jahaan, the previous managing director? A little bit scary to say the least! She was MD for 3 years and left a legacy of incredible projects and pushed the company forward to change lives more than anyone else ever has, so as you can imagine, that’s big shoes to fill! Jahaan is still involved though and I talk to her regularly, I couldn’t be more grateful for the work she put into the company and the help she gives us now. Favourite game on your iphone? Candy Crush Saga takes up WAY too much of my life, although I also snapchat one of my sisters about 100 times per day. Tell us your favourite university memory.
Probably during freshers when we decided to take 7 of our office chairs and race them down the hills in Ranmoor - it was great fun although nearly led to a broken leg! We didn’t get caught (although maybe I will now) but some others tried to copy us and promptly broke their chairs and got caught by security - so please don’t try and copy this! Describe a typical day in the life of Caroline? Wake up around 8 or 9 in the morning, do Enactus work, go to a variety of meetings, I spend about an hour replying to all my emails, go to lectures, and if I have time spend some time with my housemates. (They’re usually laughing at my failed attempts to cook edible food!)

Dinner in the Dark at the World Food Festival

Last night, Dinner in the Dark featured at the yearly World Food Festival, with the intention of showing people what this project is all about. At the festival, we allowed participants the choice between chicken, beef and veg; but their dish was selected randomly from a box, before being served to them blindfolded. It was amazing to see people having all kinds of fun and experiencing their food in a way they never had before, forcing them to heighten their other senses while trying to feel and find the food.

With over 15 stalls presenting a huge array of dishes, from handmade Indian kheez to African kachumbari and syrup bandung to satay sticks, diners were spoilt for choice. As well as food from Japan, India, Kazakhstan, and many more, there was entertainment in the form of music, dance and cultural expression. A highlight for myself was the salsa dancing; which invoked as much flame and enthusiasm for the onlookers as the African dishes had half an hour earlier. The performance, the atmosphere and the delicious food (which was finished far too quickly) made for an absolutely beautiful evening, which we will definitely be returning to in 2014. 

PWC Quiz Challenge

Last week quiz enthusiasts Jonny and Mat were led to victory by quiz team leader Paddy

When the boys turned up at the quiz it became apparent that a quarter of the questions were on PWC... which had not been prepared for. There were 11 Leeds teams and only one lowly Sheffield team consisting of Enactus members. 

Despite this, our Enactus Sheffield quiz champions managed to win by one point, securing £1000 for the social projects and a place in the National finals in London!

Congratulations to Jonny, Mat and Paddy (left to right) for their impressive brain power! Here they are pulling a "winners" pose:

HOPE Local- Update.

For this update I spoke to Josephine, a member of one of the HOPE Local projects. I wanted to know how the team were settling into their project; and This is what Josephine told me:

"Last Friday we went to a training day session at the safe house, where we were told about the aims and practices of the safehouse itself as well as their rules regarding confidentiality and boundaries. This is very important for the security of the beneficiaries we will work with.

On Wednesday we had our design workshop with the women. We began the session by introducing ourselves and giving an outline of the project, including what business skills they would acquire through the making and selling of jewellery, as well as the care packages that we will offer to them at the end. We then went on to show the women different mood boards and pictures of different styles of bracelets, of which we narrowed down to 6 choices which the women liked the look of and looked easy to make. My group leader Hollie will create a prototype of the final two designs.

The women all seemed really enthusiastic about the project and were very keen to get involved and get started. There is also the possibility that more women will be joining from the safehouse in the weeks to follow. Here are some picture I took some pictures during the design workshop."

Thank you Josephine!

Beautiful handmade jewellery made out of recycled material

 All of the crafts are handmade by independant womans groups in Kampala, Uganda from recycled materials such as seeds, banana leaves and magazines. The women get a fair price; 4 times then they would normally be able to sell it for.

50% of the revenue goes to funding the sustainable water projects accross Africa and the other 50% goes to an NGO which funds social development in Kampala, working with vulnerable children in slums.

Models: Codrina & James

Watermade presents... H20hhh!

First off, what is Watermade?

Think about how you spend an average day. In the UK, one of the first things you do in the morning involves clean and readily available water. In fact, the average person in the UK uses 150 litres of water every single day.

Yet roughly ONE TENTH of the worlds global population don't have access to clean, safe water. Watermade wants to make clean, safe water a reality for as many people as possible.

 "Everything made good."

In light of this Watermade are collaborating with Penelopes Sheffield for the 6 hour experience that is H2ohhh!

We’re bringing you folk, indie, samba, funk, soul, reggae, world beats and more in a night of musical talent from Sheffield and beyond. All in the name of charity.

Also featuring DJ OLOJEE (Finlay Green) and ZOLA (Myr Wakefield)

£5 ADV - At Penelopes, Arundel Gate, Sheffield.
https://www.facebook.com/events/664932196870478/?fref=ts

Tickets can be bought in advance from 
http://www.seetickets.com/Event/watermade-presents-h2ohhh-/penelopes/752047

Meet the Execs: Bethan Rimmington

Bethan, now a masters student (partly because she just couldn't bring herself to leave), is the project director for a selection of the international projects in Sheffield's portfolio. I shall let her explain... 

Name and course? 

Bethan Rimmington, Masters in International Development 

What was your first impression of Enactus when you joined? 

 I didn’t really know what to think of it at first, I joined the HOPE City Hearts project (just City Hearts back then) because I wanted to do something to help the women but hadn’t wanted to volunteer in the safe house. There were some very odd meetings in the first few weeks when we were discussing making the women in HOPE look after chickens and sell the eggs which I am glad was never implemented! The first time I ‘got’ Enactus and the power it can have was when I sat down with the Project Leader and did some ideas generation and planning for the project. That was when I realised that, despite having only just joined as a member, I could have a real impact on this project and therefore these women’s lives. I haven’t looked back since. 

Where is your favourite place in Sheffield? 

 I really like the Dam House looking over Crookes Valley Park on a sunny day. Mainly because of the view but also because the previous managing director of Enactus Sheffield used to work there so I have really lovely memories of spending time with her and some other Enactus friends there! I also went there for my graduation meal which was lovely. 

Any plans for after graduation? 

I’m fairly sure you aren't meant to ask final year students that unless you have already heard they have a job lined up… I want to go into social enterprise and International development so will be applying for jobs in that area when I (finally!) graduate. 

What made you so interested in international projects? 

After my first year in Enactus I volunteered with a charity called Tenteleni in a secondary school in South Africa. (They are currently recruiting NOW for next summer – I would recommend it to anyone!). It was such a great experience and within a week I had completely fallen in love with Africa. It’s such a beautiful, vibrant and friendly place. I came back thinking how great it would be to be have the skills and confidence to work there and after a few more months of Enactus I started to question why I thought I didn’t have the skills and confidence?! It was then I decided I was going to combine the two things I love and try and work in social enterprise in Africa. Since then I have been on two trips to Nigeria to implement HOPE Nigeria and am currently working on some more of our international projects this year. 

Favourite food in the world? 

I really love lemon pudding as my mum has made it for almost all of my birthdays since before I can remember. It’s not the same unless it’s a bit burnt though…. 

When did your alarm go off this morning? 

7am this morning. Kills me as I am not a good morning person but if I want to balance a masters, a job, Enactus and a position on the Tenteleni committee then I’ve got to do it! Radio 1 helps get me up. 

Best moment of Grantham 2013? 

This year was my second Grantham and it was yet again such an amazing experience. I love the feeling of being part of something so big, and how proud Jim, the executive director, is of all his Enactus students. My favourite moment was at the posh dinner (well, as posh as a dinner at PGL can be). Jim got on stage and simply asked “What happened at your University that wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t there?”. He then played a video that showed all the amazing projects from around the UK and it was such a special moment knowing you were in a room of hundreds of students who were going out of their way to help others and would leave a legacy, no matter how small, of something they had made better. 

Would you describe yourself as a good driver? 

Haha, so I’m guessing this has come up because I have been the designated Enactus driver for three years now! In my first Enactus year we practically ran the City Hearts project out of my car and after transporting all the shea butter for HOPE Cosmetics it will now forever smell of raw shea butter. So I am a pretty confident driver which unfortunately means I sometimes don’t pay attention and have a few near mishaps. In six years of driving though nothing serious has ever happened, well... unless you count me knocking down the wall outside of my house. But I maintain it was so old that all it needed was a tap and the whole thing would come down…

Grantham 2013

The highlight of the Enactus UK year was this weekend; the annual Grantham training weekend. A mixture of team members, team leaders and executives traveled down on Friday morning to enjoy a couple of days of team building, networking, meeting other universities, and a healthy amount of wine.

Here is an account of what Jonny Morris, a first year member, experienced over the weekend.

"I didn’t really know what to expect from Grantham; it was pretty strange being back at a PGL centre, I thought I’d left them behind in year 6! Friday consisted of the ‘Development Centre’, which was full of things about CVs, interviews, and how to find a job or a placement. Being a 1st year, it was a pretty daunting concept, and I’d only written the first draft of my first ever CV the night before. However, it was incredibly useful, and actually pretty fun – I learned loads, and even cheekily handed my CV to someone from SC Johnson who was giving me feedback on my presentation skills. As an Enactus member from Lincoln told me, ‘he who dares….’! 

Meeting teams from around the country was a really awesome experience, and it fully dawned on me that I had joined a community of motivated, caring and passionate young entrepreneurs that stretched all over the world. There were far too many names and faces for one weekend! Hearing the way people talked about their projects made me excited to see how I could improve mine with the knowledge they shared. It also made it all the more fun when all these inspiring people (including a few from Enactus Sheffield…) showed off their best moves at Saturday’s inevitable cheesy disco. Winning an inadvertent dance-off with a Southampton executive and witnessing Kirsty’s obsession with S Club 7 manifest itself shows how little idea I had about what this weekend would be like. 

As well as finding out about the wider Enactus community, it was great to learn about Sheffield’s heritage. Our projects were mentioned in quite a few of the seminars, and some of the sessions were also taught by Sheffield alumni. I’m lucky to be part of such a big team, with so many characters in it! The outdoor activities we did together over the weekend also showed that we’re pretty good at working together, even if there are some problems we can’t get right first time (see picture of me stuck handcuffed to Jo…). 

Grantham was an exhausting experience. However it was so worthwhile, and I know I’ve gained loads from it to take back to my project team. I can’t wait to get going with everything I’ve learned; I suppose, as my elder sister warned me, I’ve become thoroughly ‘Enactified’…"

Jonny and Jo during one of the team building exercises:



























Trish, another first year member, wants everyone to know how helpful she found the weekend in terms of inspiration for her project, and enjoyed the outdoor activities. "As university students, if throwing ourselves off a 15 foot high wooden pole first thing in the morning doesn’t appropriately convey our passion for social enterprise through Enactus, then nothing else will!" From the looks of things, Trish also particularly enjoyed trampling on the backs of some team leaders:

As always, Grantham was a hugely inspirational weekend, and despite the hideously early starts, everyone will be talking about the weekend for months (probably because of the hideously early starts). After this yearly event all teams go back to university with new ideas and ways of solving potential problems in the projects. Sheffield would like to say a big thank you to Enactus UK and the Enactus Alumni.

Sheffield Steelers vs. Sheffield Bears

 On the 13th November, the stage was set at Ice Sheffield for the University's Sheffield Bears to take on the Sheffield Steelers in what promised to be one of the most exiting fixtures in the ice hockey calendar.

Amongst hundreds of fans, Enactus members joined in supporting the university teams attempt to take on the Steelers. For those of you who haven't seen an Ice Hockey match before (like many of us before last Wednesday); you have been missing out all your life.

A partnership between the Steelers and Enactus Sheffield meant that tickets sold for the one off event had raised money for social projects within Sheffield. The professional Steelers team stormed to victory leaving the University team defeated, but every member of the audience left with a smile on their face. We will be back!

Dinner in the Dark

Its a Thursday night and it's time to treat yourself. You're at a restaurant with some loved ones and you can see the waiters hurrying around you, the drops of wine you have spilt on the tablecloth, the food arranged aesthetically on your plate. 

Now imagine you can't see any of that. It is pitch black. This is Dinner in the Dark.  

"You take for granted the fact that you can see what your next step is going to be; and this is mentally exhausting at first." Says Zahir Hertz, a waiter who is legally blind and serves food in pitch black in a restaurant in Los Angeles, "Then you get more comfortable with it, and when you get more relaxed you begin to enjoy it."

Serving dinner in the dark allows Zahir and others like him to still have a good job despite their lack of sight. 80% of all perception is through the eyes, and by abandoning that major sense a person is forced to rely on all the other senses, which become enlightened and heightened. This can be experienced by diners, a unique cuisine that encourages you to awaken your senses and completely re-evaluate your perception of taste and smell as you dine in complete darkness.

"Part of the game is playing with what you know, should know, don't know and don't see."

Diners were surprised how much their evening was changed and what new senses they began to experience. "I could smell it was a white wine coming before it reached the table," exclaimed one diner, "And those vegetables smelt like never before."

The purpose of the dining experience is putting together foods to challenge taste buds and your sense of taste. The dining experience as most often people eat with their eyes, but the whole eye concept is taken away and people have to have trust in the food. The chef has even done some clever tricks with the plate to help diners.


It became apparent that people found their eyes were closed as they did not need them. It was claimed they become so enlightened by their other senses that the room began to look how they wanted it to look. One diner commented "I thought it was really interesting to think about how i was visualizing dinner in my mind could have been different to someone else's visual experience at the table" 

Here you can watch the full video of the customers, chef and waiters experience

 Dinner in the Dark is also an Enactus Sheffield project at Fitzwilliam & West in Sheffield City Centre.

The unique dining experience is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and a meal out with family and friends. We have events available on the 9th and 10th of December at very reasonable prices with wine included.

To book visit the website http://dinner-in-the-dark.wix.com/dinner-in-the-dark
Or interact with us on the facebook page 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dinner-In-The-Dark-Sheffield/224173841092761 


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Meet The Execs: James Kirk

Meet James Kirk, the HomeMade director. He speaks about his facial hair, his love of trainers... and I think he mentions Enactus somewhere...

Name and course? 

James Kirk, second year Accounting and Financial Management.

What was it like presenting at the Enactus National competitions last year? 

Incredible! I’ve never done anything like it and I probably never will. There was a lot of hard work in the build up to Nationals – learning the ever changing script, working on tone of voice, practicing Q&A, all alongside pushing all the amazing projects we have at Enactus Sheffield to be the very best they could be, I think everyone was physically and mentally exhausted.
However it was all worth it upon arriving in London. Getting a chance to network with other Enactus teams and learning about their projects was great. We made it through the opening round, semi-final and eventually to the final round. The reception we got at each was amazing; it really illustrates how life-changing our projects at Enactus Sheffield are. In the end the judges placed us second overall in the UK. I’m hoping we can do one better in 2014. It’d mean we can all have an Enactus holiday (if you can call it that) to Beijing.
Throughout the whole process of Nationals I’ve learnt so many things that I’ve been able to transfer to my project work. It’s something I’d definitely recommend getting involved in if you want to develop yourself and take your Enactus career to the next level.

Tell me about your facial hair. 

We met when I was at secondary school, and we’ve never left each others side. But seriously, I always have to have a little bit of something going on, after a clean shave I have such a baby face. I’m not looking forward to getting a job for this reason alone, I’ll be forever mistaken for a lost 12 year old boy.

How many pairs of Nikes do you own? 

Six. This consists of four pairs of Air Max 1s, one pair of Roshes, and finally a pair of Air Force 1s. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. My wardrobe is so big I once got lost and for a minute swore I could see Narnia.

Describe your ideal Saturday? 

Have a little lie in. Get some old school R&B on. It has to be pancakes for breakfast, preferably with golden syrup, and of course a good quality cup of coffee. Then I’d go somewhere nice – maybe get wrapped up warm and go to the peaks, or at least have a little adventure somewhere and go for a nice meal. Failing that, watch a classic film. I’d probably finish the day in a nice pub somewhere, all in good company of course.
 
How awesome is your Grandad? 

If you haven’t already guessed by the amount I talk about him, pretty awesome! The best plumber in Sheffield AND he once built a boat – I think he’s still fitter in his old age than I am right now. I’m a very family orientated person so I’m very close, and have a great relationship with them all. Mainly because they’re all full of hilarious stories and offer some great cooking.

What are you hoping the homemade project will achieve this year?

 I’m expecting a lot this year. I have an amazing team working hard, week in and week out, so I’m sure they can achieve the goals we’ve been set and maybe even a little more.
If you’re not clued up on Homemade (shame on you), we work with homeless individuals on a jam-making enterprise. Essentially the guys in Bevin Court homeless shelter gain transferable skills and knowledge which enables them to find employment, and once again become self-sufficient.
This year we’re looking to add much more than skills on a basic level. This may be through other activities within the business such as sourcing the fruit. Hopefully we’ll also get the guys at craft fairs, interacting and selling the jam to potential customers thus improving their confidence among other things. So far we’ve managed to secure a deal to stock Homemade jam in Just Natural, Crookes, and we should be soon appearing in other socially responsible retailers around Sheffield in the near future.
Another aspect of the project we’re working on is to build on the culinary skills the men have gained in earlier stages of Homemade and provide them with a work placement, once again furthering their future job prospects. If you haven’t already, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, you’ll not regret it!

Favourite library in Sheffield? 

Believe it or not I don’t use the library too much; in fact I took my first ever book out of the library this week (don’t laugh). I suppose it just means that uni is starting to get real, I’m sure I’ll use it more as second year progresses. As for my favourite I’d probably have to say the IC, just for the spectacular views of Sheffield you get. The view from level 6 looking south is unbelievable. If you see me in the library, now you know what I’m doing. 

What has been your most embarrassing moment since starting at university? 

There’s been a few. Being a massive lightweight? Crying at Nationals? Ask me after a few drinks and I’ll divulge further.

What are you having for dinner tonight? 

I’m actually going up to Manchester tonight to visit a few friends I went to school with, and go to WHP (sorry, not sorry). Either way I don’t get to see them too much so we’ll probably eat out. Last time I visited we went to the most amazing Mexican place tucked away down some back street; it was such a cool little place. I ordered a sweet chilli pork burrito. Sounds crazy, tastes crazier.

November November... Enactus Evening.

The 6th of November... gunpowder treason and plot is over, and even though its raining, its time to do some good for our community.

Marketing Mission are selling Steelers tickets to the Ice Hockey. Its £5 and you're guaranteed an evening like never before. They're also going to be on sale next week and from the union box office, and just incase you needed anymore convincing, here's a beautiful picture of Ryan and Stuart modelling the tickets:

And here are some choice phrases I overheard this evening in the enterprise zone:

"Is it wrong to order hair products over the internet?" James Kirk (typical)
"Lets eat all of Glenns food!" Sarah Smith (typical again)
"I want to play an inspirational quote game" Bryan Yau  (oh dear)

No one is safe from my spying ears! See you all next week!

JAM.

Jam. I like jam. Luckily for myself and everyone else, Enactus Sheffield makes jam.

A lot of people make jam, that is true. But more specifically, we make jam with a conscious. There are a lot of barriers and stereotypes that separate the homeless in Sheffield and the students in Sheffield. The students appear to have very misconstrued opinions on what has happened to an individual to make them homeless, and  the homeless believe students are wrecking society with their binge drinking and lack of consideration for anyone but themselves.

Students working with the homeless allows these barriers to be brought down and for the truth to be discovered. Those without permanent housing find it almost impossible to get themselves back on the employment ladder, as they have no referee, no support, no CV help and no experience.

This is where jam comes in.

Our jam is now stocked at Just Natural in Crookes. 
They make it. We eat it. This is the HomeMade project.


https://twitter.com/wearehomemade
https://www.facebook.com/wearehomemadesheff

Meet The Execs: Becki Morris

This is Becki Morris, the PR Executive in her final year of Sheffield University.

Name and course?

Becki. Business management. I love my course. I don’t even know why.

What have you been most passionate about since joining? 

The HOPE project is such a big part of Enactus Sheffields portfolio, so like many other members it was that project that stole my heart. There was also such a lovely sense of community throughout all the HOPE members across the different projects; and I think that meant everyone could support each other, which is what made the projects so good. 

Favourite cartoon character?

Hello Kitty! Does that count? All of my stationary/hair accessories are hello kitty. 

How many photos are you tagged in on facebook?

Five thousand, five hundred and forty five. Okay it’s a lot, but it’s probably not as many as the HR director! I used to have a phobia of not photo documenting my life, but now I’m not sure if millions of selfies have done that really… 

Do you have a favourite outfit?

The outfit I wear every single day of the week consists of floral leggings, a white top and plimsolls. Its third year and Enactus keeps me too busy to dress well! 

What do you think of Enactus competition?

I think the competition is healthy to make sure all the teams around the globe are driving their projects forward and constantly trying to think of new ways to solve the problems of those in need. Also this year I was amaaaazed when Enactus Southampton came second at the global competition, that’s the first time a UK team has even placed in the final! Exciting stuff. My dream is to make it to world cup this year!

Favourite drink?

I drink about 4 litres of water a day. And therefore I pee a lot. 

What are you listening to most at the moment?

I’ve started baking cupcakes for my flatmates. They’re all boys so I need to bribe them into hovering. Anyway, my point is during this baking I’ve been listening to Fleet Foxes on repeat as it relaxes me.  And I don’t think I’ve been a day without listening to a Bonobo track in about 3 years. 

What do you do in the evenings?

Most of the time I hang around with my housemates, snack on things, laugh at the television and then go to bed. Occasionally I go out, drink loads of redbull and dance like mad til 6am... friends have described my dancing as looking like I'm "swimming into the floor"... uh oh. Or I'll go walking in the dark as the cold feels nice but people generally refuse to come with me.

Human Trafficking: A reversal in society?

In this blog post, the international project director, Bethan, introduces us to some shocking facts about the industry that is human trafficking.

"Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world.[1] Men, women and children are tricked, lured and stolen across borders into some of the worst situations imaginable. Some are trafficked for prostitution, and forced to have sex with up to 30 customers a day[2]. Some are trafficked for labour and can be forced to work sixteen hour days in back braking labour for no pay. Others are trafficked for domestic slavery, where they are abused by a household in which they are not paid. In possibly some of the worst cases, humans are trafficked for organs, often dying in the process.

Two decades ago, human trafficking was rarely heard of. Today, it is acknowledged as one of modern societies major problems, not leaving one country untouched in some respect.[3] The following is a personal reflection of modern day slavery through my own experiences of working with survivors.

In my first year of University my flatmates started volunteering in a safe house that looked after survivors of human trafficking. This was my first ever exposure to the issue and I did not understand it. As a history undergraduate, I was of course aware of slavery, but only in the context of the past. A year later, I became a member of a student organisation called Enactus which exists to catalyse social change through entrepreneurial action.[4] Within Enactus I was part of a new project working with City Hearts, a safe house in Sheffield who looks after survivors of human trafficking in the short term, providing rehabilitation care.[5] We began working with the women, teaching them entrepreneurial skills around the model of a jewellery business.
Whilst working within this project I became close to some of the women, and heard some of their stories. It was at this point that the very human realities of trafficking set in for me. Working with women who cannot look you in the eye and flinch whenever you come near is a difficult experience. Hearing stories of young women trafficked at the age of 12 and impregnated at the age of 13 is harrowing, and working with women who have been locked up and not allowed outside for years exposes you, none to gently, to the realities of this world for some people within it. Equally, seeing some of the young African women terrified of a black magic that their traffickers had performed on -them, and at a high risk of re-trafficking because of it, is an almost uncomprehendable situation. Seeing the positive impact of the project on these women was rewarding, but the realities of trafficking had set in, and they were there to stay.

 We abolished the slave trade once and now put human rights at the very centre of our development. The modern world is no place for slavery, or is it?"

---

[1] FE Okonofua, SM Ogbomwan, AN Alutu, O Kufre, A Eghosa, ‘Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of sex trafficking by young women in Benin City, South-South Nigeria’ Soc Sci Med (2006), p.179.

[2] http://www.stopthetraffik.org/the-scale-of-human-traffiking [date accessed: 27/09/13]

[3] Kim Namhee, Gary Mclean, Stephanie Mace, Donal Venneberg, James Amell, ‘Human Trafficking’ Advances in Developing Human Resources (2012) p.336.

[4] www.enactussheffield.org [date accessed: 28/09/13].

[5] http://www.city-hearts.co.uk/ [date accessed 24/09/13].

The first Enactus social!!!

Its previously been mentioned that Enactus don't hold the best socials. Fair enough. But not any more!! This year we're planning to work hard AND play hard! Our first Enactus social this year was to Pop Tarts at the union with a "come as you are" theme. Here is a few snaps from the night...

Enactus Sheffield Training Weekend

Training Day was a wonderfully long day with only one major flaw; a lack of hot drinks. however, amidst the confusion of when to clap, throw a ball and jump over toxic waste; friendships were formed, trust was made and teams were built. A successful day for all, despite the friendly fire during our four corners session, where our MD, Caroline, put us creative thinkers to the test by pushing our very obvious buttons. 

Everyone arrived tired and miserable but left happy and enthused. Training sessions from ex-HR Lauren got the teams bonding and thinking on the same page, while some creative members found ways to blow other teams out of the water in the 'toxic waste' task. Experienced members (and past members) such as Leanne gave motivating workshops, which really got the members engaged. Some teams had the chance to critically evaluate their projects through a number of exercises, meaning members not only understood their projects better, but also knew what the must do to push them forward.

 

Side Effects Included: A sore throat (from speaking a bit too much), Tired eyes (it was en extremely long day, let's not kid ourselves), and a permanent smile. 

Meet The Execs: Nora Alturki

Meet Nora Alturki, Project Director of the Foster Care project. Nora always has A LOT to say, but here's a little insight into her life in just 11 questions... (I only asked her 8).

Name and Course? 

 Nora Alturki Level 2 (year 2) Bsc Psychology 

What Project did you work in when you joined ENACTUS? 

I worked in HOPE community as a mentor. It was one of the best experiences having rightly earned the 3rd most emotional time in my life. 

What else are you involved in at university? 

 Thankfully, I am involved in a whole lot: I am currently a Departmental Mentor, and International Office Ambassador, as well as a Media and Publicity rep for the International Students Committee. I have also just recently joined the Singers Society, which has put my incredibly loud voice to good use. 

Comfiest shoes you own? 

I have flat feet (it’s a thing, I promise. Google will tell you) so none of my shoes are that comfortable to begin with. I am most comfortable without shoes. However, given that the weather as well as the general public would not be happy with me walking around barefoot I’d have to say my pair of Doc Martens, which I’ve just recently broken into. They were not comfortable at first but now, now they fit me like a glove that’s half a size too big. Jo. 

What did you have for breakfast today? 

Well, I woke up at an ungodly hour to make myself an onion and baby spinach frittata with a side bowl of vanilla yogurt and a banana. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day - don’t judge me. 
 

Tell us about your current role at Enactus?

 I am currently project director of one of our local projects, working with Foster Care Leavers. Most foster care leavers are not given enough support and/or guidance once they leave care; and we are looking to change that. 

What would your ideal day be? 

At this moment right now, my ideal day would consist of sleep. But on any other day, it would be sleep. All the sleep. 

What website do you refresh the most often? 

Reddit. If you’ve never heard of it, which I doubt, but if you haven’t don’t google it, don’t go on it. That website is a gateway to the deepest corners and GIFs of the interwebs. 

What was your last Google search? 

“Redamancy in a sentence”. Redamancy is a beautiful word that’s no longer in use. It specifies reciprocity in love, or in other words it means : to love in return. The word is now obsolete but majestic nonetheless. 

What’s your favorite thing about being in Enactus? 
The redamancy. (see what I did there?) The people in Enactus are wonders. They are motivated, passionate beings and its comforting and warm and hopeful. Just seeing all these students get together and actually make a difference in other peoples lives restores my faith in humanity and belief in change. 

Do you have any hidden talents? 
I make an excellent Hamster face. That’s a talent, right?