Leeds Catalyst

Partner Profile: Helen Hawney, Leeds Ahead

A great big welcome to Helen who has recently joined the Leeds Ahead team!  Helen will be working from the East Leeds Basecamp on a regular basis and will eventually work from the Catalyst Centre.  Here's her profile...

Name: Helen Hawney

Job Title: Area Broker, Leeds Ahead. 

Describe your role: 
Leeds Ahead is a social business that enables the private sector to support the social and economic regeneration of Leeds.  We provide a simple mechanism through which businesses can meet their corporate responsibility objectives in the community by volunteering time, expertise and providing other resources to a wide range of community regeneration activities.  These activities centre around five core themes, 'Education, Employability, Enterprise, Environment 'and 'Community'. My role is to bring together the private sector's offers of support with the communities who most need it.   Leeds Ahead will be working in partnership with the Catalyst team to deliver events, activities and workshops around enterprise for members, as well as brokering business mentor relationships between local business people who can offer inspiration, support and guidance to catalyst members.

Which areas of Leeds do you work in?
East North East Leeds, including Chapeltown, Harehills, Gipton, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill and Seacroft.

What is your background and how did you get to where you are today?
I've always been driven to do something that really benefits society and I've been lucky to work for several not-for-profit organisations including WWF (the conservation organisation, not the wrestling federation!) and the National Media Museum.  I have a fundraising and business development background, having helped businesses invest their cash, expertise and time into film festivals, exhibitions and educational activities.  I've now got the chance to work with a wide range of community partners and organisations as well as private business, and the challenge for me is to find winning relationships that benefit both parties.

What was your best moment?
Completing the Great North Run earlier this year in aid of the Stroke Association.

And your worst?
About the 10 mile mark (see above!)

What do you feel are the biggest challenges faced by the people you work with?
Lack of confidence, funding and business expertise to make great ideas flourish. Private businesses are keen to offer their expertise but don't know how to access the right activity for them...that's where Leeds Ahead can help.

And finally, if you could give 3 top tips to would-be entrepreneurs reading this feature, what would they be?
1.  Believe in your product.
2.  Build up a network of contacts and use them.
3.  Learn from those who have been in your circumstances via business mentors, work experience, workshops

etc.

For more information about the work of Leeds Ahead, visit their website .

 

Member Spotlight: Gemma Povey, Future Arts

Name: Gemma Povey

What is your business?
My organisation is Future Arts. We are a new group delivering music and media technology projects in economically deprived areas in Leeds. We use creative technology as a means to develop people's skills, to build confidence and self esteem and to tackle social issues by give people a platform for their voices to be heard. At the moment we operate as an outreach service delivering in community centres and a variety of other venues. Along side this we also take contracts to work with both private and social sectors where our expertise and equipment and required.

What influenced you to set up this business?
From already working on a project that delivered an outreach programme for technology I saw how well it was received, how much the users got from it and what a shame it was when that funding ran out. Me and my colleague Paula Temple saw this massive gap for informal, fun and creative learning that no one was stepping up to fill. Understanding how much of an influence music has had on our own lives and seeing the benefit for others first hand we decided that we would begin our journey to creating an organisation that could offer something really special and lasting in the community. What has been the influence in keeping us going, perhaps when we haven't had the results we wanted, or fast enough has been talking to people who we worked with in the past and will in the future. It keeps reminding us the gap is still there and the service is needed.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Quite simply, Listen

What are your pet hates?
Hoovers that don't suck!
People who don't listen!

Who in the world do you most admire and why?
Thom Yorke of Radiohead.  What an amazing man - beautiful voice, amazing melodies, a very talented guy. But beyond that quite politically active. He has a dig at the world with his songs but follows it up by campaigning for changes with regards to global warming (the big ask) and the Iraq war.

Also the controversial dig at the music industry and the big wigs that call the shots. I love the fact that he and the band gave the music-buying public the right to choose if and how much they would pay for their album. It opens up doors and flies the flag for DIY music and musicians, proving that if it is good people will pay. I feel that the industry is trying to keep a tight hold of the reins and not flexible enough concerning music availability over the net, they aren't moving with the times.

If you want to know more about Future Arts, members can find Gemma's contact details by logging into the Catalyst system.

Partner Profile: Balbir Sembhi, Legi Advisor

Many of you will already know Balbir as he spends most of his time out and about supporting entrepreneurs in various parts of Leeds.  But for those who don't, here is his profile and for those who do - hopefully you'll find out something new!

Name: Balbir Sembhi

Job Title: Business Counsellor

Describe your role:
As a Business Counsellor I provide intensive support to  residents and businesses in the most disadvantaged areas of Leeds, assisting businesses to grow and helping individuals to become more entrepreneurial.

Which areas of  Leeds do you work in?
I work in the following postcode areas - LS1,2,3,4 9,10,11,15.

What  is your background and how did you get to where you are today?
I come from a sales and marketing background but studied graphic design and marketing at university, and set up my own design agency in 2000 called Red Dezign Ltd.  Having run my own business for 7 years I needed a new challenge and wanted to pass on my business experience and knowledge to others.

As an entrepreneur yourself, what is the best advice you have ever received?
Work hard and believe in your product or service and get as much advice as possible from your peers.

What  do you feel are the biggest challenges faced by the people you work  with?
Confidence, finance, social backgrounds, support and knowledge.

And finally, if you could  give 3 top tips to would-be entrepreneurs reading this feature, what would they be?

1. Believe in yourself and your product. 
2. Extensive planning and research.
3. Get as much help and advice as possible.

Think you might benefit from Balbir's support?  Then call in to see him at:

Beeston Basecamp, any Wednesday morning 9am - 12 noon
East Leeds Basecamp, any Thursday morning 10am - 1pm