Enactus GCU
Enactus is an international non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve their communities and communities around the world through entrepreneurial action. Involvement in Enactus GCU gives the opportunity to develop the following Common Good attributes:
- Active and global citizenship
- Confidence
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Responsible leadership
What’s involved?
Enactus UK provides a platform for teams of students to create community development projects that put people’s own ingenuity and talents at the centre of improving their livelihoods. Guided by educators and supported by business leaders, Enactus students take the kind of entrepreneurial approach that empowers people to be a part of their own success.
The work of Enactus is intended to transform both the lives of the people they serve and, in turn, the lives of Enactus students as they develop into more effective, values-driven leaders. In summary – student teams identify the needs of specific community groups (e.g. the homeless, the elderly) – establish a relationship with this group of people – co-design a project to address their needs – and then deliver the solution. Emphasis is on empowering others and impact.
How will participating in this activity/opportunity allow students to make a positive difference in the communities that we serve?
Enactus students co-design and co-deliver entrepreneurial-based projects that empower people to transform opportunities into real, sustainable progress for themselves and their communities. Enactus students use and develop the knowledge and skills gained at College and University to solve real-world problems in their communities.
Recent examples include:
- working with homeless people and a local charity to set up a social enterprise to produce and sell jams and chutney in Glasgow. Helping to prepare homeless people for a better life and providing them with an income.
- mentoring pupils in schools in areas of multiple deprivations to develop the confidence and skills needed to secure a positive destination when they leave school at 16.
What are the benefits of taking part in this activity/opportunity for participating students?
Being an active member of Enactus GCU is a great way of developing new skills that enhance the CV, opening up opportunities for internships and graduate jobs with Enactus sponsors, as well as other graduate-level jobs. Students benefit from the support of an Enactus UK network that offers mentoring and networking opportunities and leadership and managerial skills training.
By managing Enactus GCU as a social enterprise and designing and implementing projects for the benefit of local and international communities, students develop skills “for the real world”, and learn to take on increasing levels of responsibility. Students are responsible for managing their own Enactus social enterprise; they need to raise funds for all of their activities and find impactful ways of using those funds. As part of the UK Enactus network, students are required to produce an annual report of their activities to Enactus UK.
Which school or department delivers/supports this activity?
Glasgow School for Business and Society, School of Health and Life Sciences, School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, and GCU London.
How can students get involved in this activity?
To learn more about this exciting initiative, you can contact GCU Enactus academic advisor: Dr Karen Fryer Karen.fryer@gcu.ac.uk.
You can also make contact with our current 22-23 GCU student President, Lewis Connor: lconno300@caledonian.ac.uk, or Human Resources Lead, Stasha Smith: ssmith304@caledonian.ac.uk.
Success stories
In recent years, Enactus GCU students have participated in both the Scottish Regional and National Enactus finals, in which over 50 teams from UK universities compete for the title of Enactus National Champion and the right to represent the UK at the Enactus World Cup.
In 2015, Enactus GCU got through the Scottish Regional competition to compete in the National Rookie Finals, where they ran very close to the eventual winners, St Andrews. In 2016, Enactus GCU were once again successful at the Scottish Regional Finals and went on to represent GCU at the National Finals in London in April. At the National Finals, Enactus GCU won a “Most Improved Team” award and won 2nd place in the hotly contested EY (Ernst & Young) Award for Empowering Youth, for their work mentoring pupils from two Glasgow schools located in areas of multiple deprivations.
At National Finals in London in April 2017, Enactus GCU scaled new heights – reaching the semi-finals for the first time, and coming away with an amazing five awards, sponsored by corporate giants KPMG, EY, ERAC, Wilko and Enactus itself. Enactus GCU generated an income of over £7000 through a combination of innovative fund-raising efforts, winning prizes from Enactus corporate sponsors, and contributions from some of the beneficiaries of their work. In the period 2018-2022, Enactus GCU has had successful runs to the semis of the National Finals.
Contact
GCU Enactus Academic Advisor: Dr Karen Fryer Karen.fryer@gcu.ac.uk
GCU Enactus Student President: Lewis Connor lconno300@caledonian.ac.uk
GCU Enactus Head of Human Resources: Stasha Smith ssmith304@caledonian.ac.uk