Being an integral part of the local community is really important to us all at EN. So to celebrate 40 years of excellence this year our Health and Social Care and Children’s Play and Learning and Development students have written postcards to 40 Care homes and 40 Primary Schools in and around Norfolk and Suffolk to show the love and support for the community from EN students. The students are hoping to combat loneliness in Care homes and to educate Primary School children about how working hard allows you to follow your dreams – the students feel EN has enabled them to do just that, so wanted to share this. Children’s Play and Learning and Development students’ Amy, mentioned that she felt privileged to be given the opportunity to share the success the college has had over the last 40 years, whilst also contributing to a challenge that will hopefully open communication between residents in Care homes, children in Primary Schools and the College. Ben felt it was an important project to do and it was a pleasure to be involved in, because he believed a small gesture, could make a big impact on many children’s attitudes to learning and combat the isolation some residents in care homes feel. He believes that it is important to show that there is love and support for the community from EN students. All students have spoken about how they would love to have responses back from the homes and schools they have sent cards to. Teacher Hayley Vincent said “I am incredibly proud of the students for getting whole heartedly involved with this challenge and I’ve been overwhelmed by the standard of cards being written. The students have had a few tough years due to the pandemic and they are fully aware of the importance of bringing a community together. We hope everyone, who receives a postcard, enjoys reading it and that it brightens up their day.”
A dad whose son died within a month of being born says he is proud to represent bereaved parents when volunteering for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). David Taylor, wife Mary and son Ethan, 12, received support from the charity when Jude died in 2014. David, 43, says he will forever be thankful and has explained why he is always willing to help out and give up precious time for EACH. He has volunteered in various ways, from giving talks about the charity to bucket collections, and his powerful interview is being released to coincide with a special week-long campaign, encouraging more people to lend their support at this summer’s fundraising events. “People don’t realise or appreciate just how much EACH supports people like ourselves,” said the Anglian Water technician, who lives in Wymondham. “I think of the bereavement team as the ‘secret service’, because to me they’re unsung heroes. “As a family, they effectively put us back together after losing Jude. “For that, I’ll always be thankful. “I volunteer because I lost my son and I’m always very open about my reasons for being involved and supporting the charity. “It’s because I have personal experience and know first-hand what a massive difference EACH makes. “I’m proud to represent bereaved parents when it comes to volunteering and hope my involvement sends out a powerful message. “It’s a charity I love and I strongly believe in everything it does. “People just think of children dying in a hospice and while sad things obviously happen, it’s about so much more. “A lot of people in this world take and take and expect more and more. “For me, it’s nice giving something back, because of my personal connection. “I feel so lucky to have had that support and am happy to help in any way I can, depending on whenever they need an extra pair of hands.” Jude, who would have celebrated his eight birthday this month, was born at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. However, he had hypoplastic left-heart syndrome – a complex and rare heart defect present at birth whereby the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped. It had been detected during Mary’s pregnancy. He underwent surgery at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) but died within a month, on 28th April. He was brought to Quidenham – EACH’s former Norfolk hospice, before The Nook opened in Framingham Earl in 2019. David, Mary and Ethan were able to spend three weeks with Jude, prior to his funeral. It allowed them to create memories and come to terms with their grief. “Mary and myself met an EACH counsellor before Jude was born and visited Quidenham with Ethan,” said David. “I’ll never forget that first day. “Ethan watched a film with a little boy there and we had fish and chips together. “Then we spent three weeks at Quidenham after Jude died. “It was our time to say goodbye and make memories. “As well as spending time together, we made hand and foot casts and we have a canvas that proudly hangs on our wall at home. “Since then we’ve had lots of counselling and attended monthly groups for bereaved parents, in addition to sibling events for Ethan. “The counsellors always go the extra mile and never judge, because they know everyone deals with grief differently. “There’s no right or wrong way. “They’re always impartial and always supportive. They’re amazing people. “We made lots of new friends at the support groups, too. “We had the common bond of losing a child but those sad circumstances brought us together.” David has spoken about EACH during carol services in Norwich Cathedral and Gresham’s School, in Holt. He has helped at events like the Norwich Bubble Rush and is also a prolific fundraiser, having raised £28,500 for GOSH and EACH. The Taylor family were particularly supportive when EACH was raising money to finance the building of The Nook. “It’s just the most amazing place and we were there when The Duchess of Cambridge officially opened it,” added David, who has run the London Marathon twice, on the second occasion for EACH (dressed as a flamingo as Jude was on the flamingo ward at GOSH). “In fact, Ethan was one of the children picked to help her unveil the plaque. “It was an amazing day and an unreal experience.” EACH is planning a packed and varied schedule of fundraising events this summer, with highlights being the Ride for Life cycle challenge (6th to 8th May), the Pier to Pier walk on 25th June and the Norwich Bubble Rush on 16th July. To find out more and register your interest in volunteering, head to www.each.org.uk/eventsvolunteer
A leading children’s charity is calling for extra volunteers to help at its fundraising events. East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is planning a packed and varied programme, with highlights including water-filled Splash Outs! in Bury St Edmunds and Huntingdon. The popular Pier to Pier walk returns in June, there will be a Bubble Rush in July and both adults and children can challenge themselves at the Whole Hog and Piglet Junior Hog obstacle course events in October and July respectively. The events are a vital income stream for EACH, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. However, they are reliant on members of the public helping out and Monday marks the start of a week-long campaign, encouraging more people to lend their support and sign up as a volunteer. EACH Events Manager Becky Redbond said: “We’re getting more and more excited about our busy schedule of events. “There are some real highlights and big dates to look forward to, made all the more special by the fact we’ve had two very difficult and challenging years because of the pandemic. “As well as being great fun, these events raise much-needed funds for our charity. “However, their success is entirely dependent on support from the public and we always need extra help. “It’s absolutely vital and I’d encourage anyone interested to get in touch, sign up and join in the fun. “Our volunteers always tell us how much they enjoy being involved. “They find it a fun, uplifting and positive experience and feel rewarded that they’ve played their part in making an event successful.” EACH’s next big fundraiser is the Ride for Life cycle challenge, from 6th to 8th May. The Bury St Edmunds Splash Out! follows on 15th May and the Pier to Pier walk takes participants on a 32-mile trek from Cromer to Great Yarmouth, on 25th June. The following month sees the Piglet Junior Hog event, near Woodbridge, on 3rd July and the Norwich Bubble Rush on 16th July. There is another Splash Out! on 17th September, this time in Huntingdon, before the Whole Hog adult obstacle event on 9th October. For more information about any of the above, head to www.each.org.uk/events “I’d encourage anyone to either sign up and take part or get in touch about volunteering,” added Becky. “In terms of the latter, an extra pair of hands makes an enormous difference and we’d love to hear from anyone interested in joining us.” To find out more and register your interest, head to www.each.org.uk/eventsvolunteer
The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates are changing from 1 April 2022. You’ll find all the details of the changes here: https://bit.ly/3Istn7e Get in touch if you have any questions: sarah@ignitepeoplesolutions.co.uk
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie today launches his Police, Crime and Community Safety Plan for 2022-24. The plan represents the PCC’s commitment to Norfolk residents about how their policing service will be delivered and managed as well as the provision of support for victims, crime prevention work and extensive partnership working that brings together services, and priorities safety for every resident in the county. For the first time, the plan brings together the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan and the priorities within the Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership’s Safer Norfolk Plan, putting a comprehensive focus on justice and safety for the whole county. It is part of the job of every PCC to publish a plan setting out how they will oversee policing in their county, manage budgets and provide support services for victims. In Norfolk, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is unique in hosting the management of the county’s Community Safety Partnership, which brings together a network of local councils, policing, probation, youth offending, health and housing, all working together to improve safety in the county. The Police, Crime and Community Safety Plan was developed following a public consultation held during the summer which asked people about their priorities for policing and safety in the county and with the input of partners including Norfolk Constabulary’s Chief Constable Paul Sanford. Giles said: “This is a plan for the people of Norfolk, developed with their input and designed to put safety and justice for all at the heart of everything we and our partners in the constabulary do. “Throughout the development of this plan I have heard loudly and clearly that what people want is policing that tackles the crimes that really impact communities. “They are concerned about drug use and drug dealing, they want more to be done about speeding and dangerous driving and they want perpetrators of rape, serious sexual assaults and domestic abuse brought to justice. “Violence against women and girls is cause of huge concerns in communities up and down the country and more must be done to tackle it, in convictions but also in prevention. “People also want a police service they can see and that they can trust. Building those feelings of confidence in Norfolk’s communities goes hand in hand with demonstrating that our county has a police force to be proud of, and that is why all of these issues are at the heart of my new plan.” The plan sets out the detail of what the PCC will expect Norfolk Constabulary to deliver over the next two years and how, through a network of partnerships, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner will ensure the right support is available for Norfolk’s communities. The priorities are built on six pillars, with detailed objectives under each one featured in the plan:
Sustain Norfolk Constabulary
Visible and Trusted Policing
Tackling Crime
Prevent Offending
Support Victims
Safer and Stronger Communities
Giles added: “It is the job of the PCC to ensure that the people they serve get the policing service they need, and these priorities will form the basis on which I hold the Chief Constable for Norfolk to account. I hold regular accountability meetings with the Chief Constable and his senior team, and they are required to provide reports on how they are delivering against the priorities we have all agreed are the most important for Norfolk. “But it is also by drawing together a wider network through the Community Safety Partnership that we can really all be stronger together, sharing expertise to ensure that preventing crime, supporting victims and building trust are absolutely entwined in everything we do.” The Police Crime and Community Safety Plan replaces the plan in place under the previous PCC and will be in place throughout Giles’ term as PCC. Chief Constable Paul Sanford said: “In developing this plan, the PCC has consulted widely with communities across Norfolk and with my chief officer team. The result is a plan which seeks to address the significant police challenges facing the county. “The constabulary is committed to working alongside the PCC to tackle the priorities set out it the plan and to provide exceptional policing throughout the county.” Discover more about the plan >>
Today (31 March) Larking Gowen bids a fond farewell to Partner, Chris Greeves. On 23 March, the firm hosted a retirement event at Fakenham Racecourse where clients, fellow partners past and present, and colleagues gathered to celebrate Chris’ 40 years in the business. Chris joined Larking Gowen in 1981 as a Graduate Trainee, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1984, becoming a member of the Institute of Taxation in 1985. He became a partner in 1991 and was elected Chair of Partners from 2017-2020. His career started at the Queen Street offices in Norwich where he worked for three years, followed by two years at Holt before moving on to Dereham in 1986. He ran the Dereham office from 1995-2019 before moving full time to Fakenham in 2019. He had another role as a regular contributor on Radio Norfolk’s Breakfast Show and helped present many breakfast seminars across East Anglia. Over the years, he has advised, guided and looked after the interests of scores of owner-managed and family businesses across a range of sectors, particularly in Farms and Landed Estates. Chris said: “After over 40 years with Larking Gowen, I feel the time is right to move on to the next chapter of my life. “The firm looks very different from the one I joined as a trainee in Queen Street in 1981, but the spirit of Larking Gowen and the ethos of client service has been a constant throughout that time. “I have really enjoyed working with the team, my clients and my fellow Partners, some of whom I have known for over 30 years. “One of the real pleasures of the job for me has been working with different generations and seeing families and businesses develop and change. You get to know people well and become their trusted friend and adviser. “I will be leaving a fantastic team in Fakenham and a truly successful firm that is in a great position to meet the new challenges that lie ahead.” One of Chris’ long-standing clients in the region is Wells Harbour Commissioners. Simon Cooper, a representative from Wells Harbour Commissioners’ office, comments, “Throughout Chris’ tenure, the Wells Harbour Commissioners have been through major changes and at times, when complex and sometimes difficult circumstances have arisen, the support from Chris in his very calm and personable way was always very welcome and assuring. “We have engaged the services of Chris and the Larking Gowen team for many years for our accountancy and audit needs. During this time the Wells Harbour Commissioners have very much enjoyed and relied upon Chris and seen him very much as our trusted adviser, providing professional, diligent and timely support to us. We thank him for all his support and wisdom and wish him a very happy retirement.”
A fantastic collaboration between East Norfolk Sixth Form College and local primary schools has led to an eye-catching sculpture capturing all that is great about Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and the local area. In preparation for the Break GoGo Dino summer trail, EN launched a competition in September last year for children to create a design for the college’s GoGo Dinosaur. The children were given a brief to come up with designs that captured everything that is good in our local area and encouraged to think about the past, present and future including landscapes, rich history and diverse industries. A total of 252 entries were received from 13 local primary schools and were then judged by EN Principal Dr Catherine Richards and Art Faculty Lead Lyndsay Carlyon. Five designs in the Year 5 and 6 categories were chosen as overall winners. Not only will those children see their designs come to life on the GoGo trail in the summer, but they also received an art workshop and art resources too. The five overall winning designs were creatively brought together into one final design by Fine Art students at East Norfolk and then painted by those students. In January 2022, a second competition was launched to name the dinosaur. The children who were highly commended in the first competition got the chance to submit names. They were then shortlisted by the Principal who chose her favourite five before going to a public vote. A total of 623 votes were cast and the T-Rex has officially been named as Sandy Fisher won. Faculty Lead for Arts at EN, Lyndsay Carlyon, said “This has been a fantastic community art project that has demonstrated the creative flair and imagination of children within our community. Our T-Rex design is comprised of five designs from an incredible 252 entries. AS Fine Art students from EN have painted the T-Rex and helped to bring the imagination of the children’s designs to life and celebrates the diverse and rich landscapes within in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth and surrounding areas.” The sculptures will take to the streets of Norwich from Monday 27th June until Saturday 10th September and will encourage explorers of all ages to have fun and learn more about the county, while simultaneously working to raise awareness and vital funds for the Break charity and the vulnerable children and young people they support. Supporting children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care, Break believes that every child, no matter their start in life, deserves a bright future. Starting by building and earning trust, and then providing opportunities for young people to engage with, Break’s aim is to walk with those they support on the way to independence. And the support doesn’t stop there, a lifeline offer means the charity is there whenever and wherever they’re needed. break-charity.org GoGoDiscover is delivered by East Anglia based children’s charity Break, in partnership with Wild in Art. The Presenting Partners are Norwich BID, Chantry Place and ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure. From 27 June – 10 September 2022, 80 T.rex and Steppe Mammoth sculptures, each individually designed by an artist and sponsored by a business and 100 mini Breakasaurus T.rex decorated by a school or community group will roam the streets of Norwich and Norfolk forming a fun, free and family-friendly trail across Norwich and Norfolk. By fundraising during the trail, putting £1 into a collection pot when collecting your trail map or buying a sculpture at the auction on 28 September, GoGoDiscover supporters allow Break to deliver services giving children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care the best chance of a bright future. break-charity.org/gogodiscover
The vast array of career routes in the heritage sector were at the forefront of a major two-day conference held at East Norfolk Sixth Form College (EN) on the 2nd and 3rd March 2022. Supported by funding from Historic England and in partnership with the Great Yarmouth High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme, over 700 students from EN and local primary and secondary schools took part in over 40 different activities ranging from willow weaving and stone masonry to boat building and heritage art. Students also attended talks and workshops covering a wide range of careers in the heritage sector and local heritage and renovation projects. There were also a number of universities from across the UK on hand to advise and inspire students about the opportunities open to them. Great Yarmouth Borough Council run the High Street Heritage Action Zone in partnership, with Historic England and Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust. It involves local people in repairing, conserving and building a better understanding of the area’s historic buildings and sites. This supports regeneration and recovery, conserving buildings and creating new facilities and giving people new skills. The Great Yarmouth HSHAZ is a 4-year project with a theme of skills and employability, being highlighted and promoted through the various works and heritage projects taking place across the borough. These include training in traditional craft and construction skills, heritage research and development of critical skills with an emphasis on employment opportunities. As a HSHAZ community engagement partner, EN recognised the scheme as an excellent way to improve opportunities for work experience, future employment, apprenticeships and education. EN Deputy Principal, Dr Simon Fox, said “When we heard about the opportunity to get involved in the project and lead on the production of a completely new Heritage Careers conference for Great Yarmouth, we were really excited. We are incredibly passionate about our local area and community and we recognise the pivotal role heritage plays in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston. The conference seemed the ideal way to promote that appreciation, get more young people interested in careers in the heritage sector and celebrate the amazing skills and trades which could too easily be forgotten.” Joe Warburton, East of England High Street Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, Historic England said: “This was such a fantastic and engaging event. It was wonderful for my Historic England colleagues and I to chat to so many students about our work and to answer questions. Inspiring interest in craft skills and developing opportunities for heritage careers is an important part of the Great Yarmouth High Street Heritage Action Zone. We really feel that spark has been ignited at this conference and we’re delighted to see that there are more events planned.” Cllr Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “This was a great opportunity for young people to hear all about the wide range of careers available in the heritage sector. Thanks to Historic England and the support and funding we receive from them regarding our High Street Heritage Action Zone area, Great Yarmouth has plenty of exciting projects to be a part of until the scheme ends in 2024.” Students taking part in the activities thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were really appreciative of the opportunities on offer and the generous time that the various exhibitors committed to the event. The feedback reflected the core aims of the conference. To inspire, excite and enthuse young people about heritage careers. “It’s been amazing! I’ve always wanted to give woodcarving a go but have never had the opportunity to try it so I’m really excited to be able to have a go now and get stuck in and try something new! I think this could become a new hobby for the future!” “We listened to the Careers in History talk and it was really interesting! We heard about preserving our heritage, careers and how history is all around us, it’s inspired me to have a look into some different careers I haven’t thought about before.”
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Norwich High School for Girls Sixth Formers win ‘best presentation’ at the GDST LEAD Showcase for their recycling company ‘Bin-Go Norwich’
The Norwich High Sixth Form LEAD team have recently returned from the GDST LEAD Showcase at LSE Generate, the enterprise arm of the London School of Economics. Three of the team members, Lola Morgans, Lily Wearing and Clarice Nassif, share more about their experience: What is GDST LEAD? GDST LEAD is the Leadership & Enterprise Advanced Diploma run by our parent group of schools. We chose to take it as part of the lower sixth activities programme sessions. Most of the team don’t study Business or Economics, so LEAD gave us the opportunity to step outside of our comfort zones and work towards an accreditation from the London School of Economics. The programme is a combination of Leadership and Enterprise helping develop skills in leadership and entrepreneurship. Half the programme saw us working through leadership modules and learning how to implement these key skills in everyday life. The main part, and where our business idea came in, was for the enterprise element. We were tasked to come up with our own business plan for an original sustainable business idea. Our teacher, Mrs Wells, and our mentor from the programme supported and advised us through the business planning process and up to the final Showcase Event which took place last week at LSE. What was your idea? The hardest bit of the entire programme was coming up with our business idea! We started working on quite a few concepts which were eventually scrapped as either the team didn’t like the idea or following market research the ideas were not popular. It took a few weeks to come up with our plan. Our Business, Bin-Go Norwich, developed from our research that looked into issues affecting Norwich and our local community. Lots came up related to the environment – pollution, littering and recycling – with climate change obviously a huge issue for us all. This led to our idea centred around recycling bins using smart technology to encourage people to recycle. The bins, which we see as being suitable for use in major cities, include a weighing scale in the bottom and a scanner connected with a loyalty card app. People scan their card after having dropped in their recycling, and the weight of their recycling is registered. They can accumulate points for money off in a supermarket chain. We spent quite a bit of time working through this concept, and researching the different UK supermarkets and which causes they support to identify a potential partner chain. In the end, we chose Morrisons and approached them about our idea, speaking to several departments including their community champion and sustainability divisions. What happened at the Final Showcase event? The build up to the Presentation day was so exciting. Having been apart from students at our family of GDST schools through the pandemic, it was so nice to travel to London to all get together in person. Some of the team were nervous before we presented Bin-Go Norwich to the other schools and a panel of judges, but we felt confident in our idea. The presentation went so well – we all smashed it! The judges probed our business plan with great questions but as the idea was robust, we could answer and we had great feedback given that our business is rooted in sustainability with such a positive environmental benefit. We were so thrilled to win the best presentation award on the day. We think our idea stood out as it was targeted to fix a real problem, which was different from how many of the other teams approached their business plan, many of which were product based. Everyone did so well though, it was great to watch the other teams present. What is next for the Norwich High LEAD team? We’ve come to the end of the programme now, but there are so many things we are going to take forward. Having learnt so much about leadership and enterprise and having the opportunity to work through business plan ourselves has made us appreciate entrepreneurs and value team work. We’ve gained so much confidence in public speaking and have a great sense of achievement and accomplishment. It was brilliant for the programme to culminate in the event in London, and it’s great that we’ve got an accreditation from LSE as well. Whilst we were all really conscious about environmental issues before getting involved with the project, through the research we’ve undertaken on recycling and sustainability, we are now more passionate about the issues and have a heightened awareness around climate change. We know that Norwich High plan to run the programme again next year, and we are keen to transfer our knowledge and along with Mrs Wells look forward to helping the team next year. GDST comment: Cathy Walker, Head of Education Development, Innovation & Learning at GDST commented: “I am so impressed with and proud of the LEAD cohort who came to LSE for the LEAD Showcase. The students were all, every single one of them, quite outstanding. Their ideas, the professionalism with which they presented, their collegiate approach and warm support for their GDST peers, the appreciation of the effort that had gone into the event – they were wonderful. The best ambassadors for each school and for the GDST. “The Showcase judges couldn’t get over how mature and clued up the students were and kept checking they had understood correctly that these were 16/17 year olds. The mentors, who are all entrepreneurs linked to LSE Generate, were also delighted with them and expressed what a worthwhile endeavour they felt this was for the students’ future careers. “We are also incredibly grateful to the fantastic school-based LEAD coordinators for all their work and commitment; they have invested so much time and have supported and inspired the students to produce creative and high quality business plans.” Read more: GDST and LSE Generate partner to launch new diploma to inspire the female founders of the future
Following up from his lecture yesterday at the St George’s Guildhall in King’s Lynn, Paul Martin of ‘Flog It!’ famed popped into Fawcett HQ in the midst of his tour to wander & wonder at the Captain’s very own ‘Marvellous Barbershop Museum’. Suffice to say both the Captain & Crew were simply delighted to welcome Mr Martin to the world of barbering ephemera, behind the scenes and beyond. All on the QT as it were, but an exciting opportunity may be in the pipeline. Watch this space!
The Norwich High Sixth Form LEAD team have recently returned from the GDST LEAD Showcase at LSE Generate, the enterprise arm of the London School of Economics. Three of the team members, Lola Morgans, Lily Wearing and Clarice Nassif, share more about their experience: What is GDST LEAD? GDST LEAD is the Leadership & Enterprise Advanced Diploma run by our parent group of schools. We chose to take it as part of the lower sixth activities programme sessions. Most of the team don’t study Business or Economics, so LEAD gave us the opportunity to step outside of our comfort zones and work towards an accreditation from the London School of Economics. The programme is a combination of Leadership and Enterprise helping develop skills in leadership and entrepreneurship. Half the programme saw us working through leadership modules and learning how to implement these key skills in everyday life. The main part, and where our business idea came in, was for the enterprise element. We were tasked to come up with our own business plan for an original sustainable business idea. Our teacher, Mrs Wells, and our mentor from the programme supported and advised us through the business planning process and up to the final Showcase Event which took place last week at LSE. What was your idea? The hardest bit of the entire programme was coming up with our business idea! We started working on quite a few concepts which were eventually scrapped as either the team didn’t like the idea or following market research the ideas were not popular. It took a few weeks to come up with our plan. Our Business, Bin-Go Norwich, developed from our research that looked into issues affecting Norwich and our local community. Lots came up related to the environment – pollution, littering and recycling – with climate change obviously a huge issue for us all. This led to our idea centred around recycling bins using smart technology to encourage people to recycle. The bins, which we see as being suitable for use in major cities, include a weighing scale in the bottom and a scanner connected with a loyalty card app. People scan their card after having dropped in their recycling, and the weight of their recycling is registered. They can accumulate points for money off in a supermarket chain. We spent quite a bit of time working through this concept, and researching the different UK supermarkets and which causes they support to identify a potential partner chain. In the end, we chose Morrisons and approached them about our idea, speaking to several departments including their community champion and sustainability divisions. What happened at the Final Showcase event? The build up to the Presentation day was so exciting. Having been apart from students at our family of GDST schools through the pandemic, it was so nice to travel to London to all get together in person. Some of the team were nervous before we presented Bin-Go Norwich to the other schools and a panel of judges, but we felt confident in our idea. The presentation went so well – we all smashed it! The judges probed our business plan with great questions but as the idea was robust, we could answer and we had great feedback given that our business is rooted in sustainability with such a positive environmental benefit. We were so thrilled to win the best presentation award on the day. We think our idea stood out as it was targeted to fix a real problem, which was different from how many of the other teams approached their business plan, many of which were product based. Everyone did so well though, it was great to watch the other teams present. What is next for the Norwich High LEAD team? We’ve come to the end of the programme now, but there are so many things we are going to take forward. Having learnt so much about leadership and enterprise and having the opportunity to work through business plan ourselves has made us appreciate entrepreneurs and value team work. We’ve gained so much confidence in public speaking and have a great sense of achievement and accomplishment. It was brilliant for the programme to culminate in the event in London, and it’s great that we’ve got an accreditation from LSE as well. Whilst we were all really conscious about environmental issues before getting involved with the project, through the research we’ve undertaken on recycling and sustainability, we are now more passionate about the issues and have a heightened awareness around climate change. We know that Norwich High plan to run the programme again next year, and we are keen to transfer our knowledge and along with Mrs Wells look forward to helping the team next year. GDST comment: Cathy Walker, Head of Education Development, Innovation & Learning at GDST commented: “I am so impressed with and proud of the LEAD cohort who came to LSE for the LEAD Showcase. The students were all, every single one of them, quite outstanding. Their ideas, the professionalism with which they presented, their collegiate approach and warm support for their GDST peers, the appreciation of the effort that had gone into the event – they were wonderful. The best ambassadors for each school and for the GDST. “The Showcase judges couldn’t get over how mature and clued up the students were and kept checking they had understood correctly that these were 16/17 year olds. The mentors, who are all entrepreneurs linked to LSE Generate, were also delighted with them and expressed what a worthwhile endeavour they felt this was for the students’ future careers. https://www.norwichhigh.gdst.net/norwich-high-school-for-girls-sixth-formers-win-best-presentation-at-the-gdst-lead-showcase-for-their-recycling-company-bin-go-norwich/