Social Ark Step Up Programme
We currently have a Step Up Programme underway and are not accepting applications. As and when a new programme is available we will advertise and recruit a new cohort.
Aged 18-30? Live or work in East London? Have an idea to change your community for the better? We want to hear from you!
Our fully-funded programme is specifically designed to support determined young people to use their lived experiences to develop social enterprises and community projects.
We value lived experience, drive, dedication and passion over formal qualifications. All entrepreneurial ideas in line with our values are welcome. We encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including ex-offenders and others with the lived experiences of the inequalities they seek to change.
Included in this fully-funded programme:
16 interactive learning workshops
£1000 start-up grant
Corporate & specialised mentors
1:1 weekly catch up sessions
Support to pilot your idea
Help to access funding
Monthly networking events
Tailored additional support if needed
Is this programme right for me?
This programme could be right for you if you are:
Aged 18-30yrs & from East London
Have an idea for a social business or project
Passionate about community change
Are an independent learner
Are able to engage in peer to peer mentoring
Can commit to the full learning programme (January 2024 - April 2024)
Interested? What next?
Applications to join our January 2024 cohort are now open! See above to register your interest.
Ready to be the change you want to see?
Group coaching with David McQueen
Share our inclusive values?
Group workshop
Simone Gaillard, founder of Time2Shine London, with her specialist mentor David Borrell - Estate Manager, East Wick + Sweetwater, Olympic Park
“Being with Social Ark and on this programme has given me such confidence and the will to keep pushing. I 100% feel if I had not joined Social Ark I would have still been struggling with what I wanted to do. All the doors that are opening makes me feel amazing, I have learnt so much and despite lockdown I am still able to make progress with my business and personally. Thank you Social Ark Family, I’m with you for the long haul.”
Social Ark entrepreneurs pitching to our own Funders Panel! Thanks to Clayton Thomas (LLDC), Denise Ramsey (UnLtd), Jake Leeper (Paul Hamlyn Foundation) & Lauren Rosenfeld (East End Community Foundation)
Ready to join the Social Ark Family?
Communications workshop at Barclays HQ, Canary Wharf
Want to make a difference?
Brogan Brooks, founder of Truce ‘n’ Train
“There’s so much reassurance from my peers, for me, that is the most important thing. At the start, I didn’t really know them and they didn’t really know me, we’ve literally built our relationships on Zoom and on the group chat but yet there’s so much support. I highly recommend it, I’ve learned so much. The Social Ark programme gives me something positive to look forward to during the week, it gets my head in the game and has made me want to work 10 times harder. The support we give each other in the group chat is phenomenal and the programme literally gives you everything you need, this programme is one of a kind. I love this programme and I love our sessions. The programme keeps me on my toes and makes me want to go so much harder all the time.”
