As we start a new year and a new lockdown, we want to say a huge thank you to all donors and funders to share our appreciation for helping Launch It through this extraordinary time.
2020 was a difficult year for Launch It and especially for the young people we work with. They have faced isolation, mental health issues and financial difficulties. I am incredibly inspired by the courage our young people have shown, adapting their businesses in many cases, and am pleased to say that 90% have survived so far. One young entrepreneur, who runs a vegan catering company decided to donate food to the community during the pandemic which helped him get noticed on social media and score a large and exciting contract.
‘’Amidst this change, I also see opportunity; I believe this is the perfect time to shift some aspects of our delivery to the digital sphere.’’
I believe this is the perfect time to shift some aspects of our delivery to the digital sphere. We can help many more young people if we offer a way to access our impactful mentoring and training, alongside a supportive peer network, via a medium they know best – their phones! We want to continue to create physical communities and believe there will be many more disused spaces, especially on our high streets, that we can turn in to buzzing workspaces.
It’s clear the impact of the pandemic will continue to be felt for some time to come and that young people will be disproportionately affected. They are most likely to have lost work or to have seen their pay drop. As a result, we are seeing an increase in those wanting to start a business, with enquiries up 50% since September.
Starting a business is undeniably challenging, and those that take on that challenge in 2021 are especially brave. However, they are opening the door to opportunity, increased self-belief and important career progression that may not be available elsewhere.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2021, I feel that we have a special responsibility and I have real confidence in our strengths as an organisation to continue to impact young people’s lives.
I’d like to thank all those that have supported us again and to wish you a all the best for the coming year.
Pat Shelley
Chief Executive Officer – Launch It