Year Here Sign Up Information

Society clearly wasn''t working for a lot of people, even before the pandemic. And a new YouGov poll found that only 9% of the British population wants life to return to business as usual.

With the chance to do better than back to "normal", how can we translate this appetite for change into a fairer society post-COVID?

That''s the question we''ll be exploring at Crowdbacker 2020, our virtual crowdfunding event to launch the six brand new Year Here ventures working across healthcare, diversity and inclusion, homelessness, and income inequality.

Each team will have exactly four minutes to pitch their social startup to win the audience''s support. Funds raised will be used by the emerging social enterprises to work with service users and start changing lives. And alongside the pitching, you''ll hear from guest speakers and social entrepreneurs on how we can build back better.

Full venture details will be announced on Monday. In the meantime, grab your free ticket below.

Crowdbacker 2020: Building Back Better | Thursday 16th July | 18:00 to 19:30

We''ve got big plans for the forthcoming year including launching a completely new Accelerator. On the programme, startup teams will have access to investment from angel investors, partnerships and business support - and for the first time, the Accelerator will be open to ventures from outside of the Fellowship.

You may have seen that we''re looking to grow the team and are hiring for four positions, two of which are brand new roles. 

??????? Fellowship Director. A natural leader who combines strategic nous with adept management capabilities to take the reins of our year-long Fellowship, the centrepiece of our work.

?? Venture Associate. A meticulously organised startup-aficionado to work closely with our Director of Ventures and build the Accelerator from the ground up. 

?? Head of Communications. A marketing whizz who''ll use their skills to attract talented, aspiring social entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to the Fellowship.

?? Programme Producer. A thoughtful and diligent organiser to help us create a seamless journey for Fellows from application to graduation.

Follow the link below for the full details and to apply.

But...
 
?? Apply soon because there''s now less than a week to go, midnight on Sunday 9th August is the first deadline for applications.

Can you help us spread the word? If you know someone who''d be a great fit, forward this email on or tweet on our behalf.

- The Year Here team

We''ve been amazed by the creativity, quick thinking and resilience our ventures have shown in response to COVID-19.

As the situation has evolved, they''ve been keeping their businesses running and supporting those who need it most. Many moved their entire operations online in a matter of weeks, innovating their work for the digital realm - a challenge in the best of circumstances.

But this crisis has brought significant consequences for ventures that deliver face-to-face programmes, events and workshops - all leading to uncertainty around income and concern for their beneficiaries.
 

Today, we''re launching a Crowdfunder to support our ventures, so they can stay afloat and continue their hard work.

From healthcare to homelessness, elderly care to ethical fashion, they''re doing all they can to protect the most vulnerable to isolation and inequality.

Lots of you have championed our ventures in the past, helping them to launch, grow, and deliver impact all across London. That's why we need your help.

Here are two quick ways that you can help our ventures.

COVID-19 has heightened the existing conditions of isolation and inequality in our society, which is why the work of social enterprises is needed now more than ever.

With schools closed, services like Tranquiliti''s pastoral support app will only be needed more for both education providers and young people. And for refugees and asylum seekers, who are often excluded and isolated already, Routes'' online support will be an essential source of connection during this crisis.

Every donation will help us reach our target and ensure that our ventures can continue offering their services from afar.

??2. Spread the word

If you''ve loved a dress crafted by one of Birdsong''s makers, learnt how to cook a kashke bademjan from one of Migrateful''s chefs, or celebrated your birthday at a Fat Macy''s supper club, then there''s no better time to shout about it.

Head to your social media platform of choice - Facebook, Twitter, or Whatsapp to let others know why you''re backing our Crowdfunder campaign.

We''ll be sharing a video from the ventures themselves across our social platforms, so show them some love when they pop up on your feed.

Your support will help our ventures carry on doing what they do best - helping the most vulnerable in our society during and after this crisis.

The pandemic has highlighted the most vulnerable in society and the importance of making systems work for everyone. But it has also demonstrated how fast change can happen - sparking imaginations and kickstarting conversations about what could be possible as we start to rebuild.

For Crowdbacker 2020, we''re changing the format to reflect this unique moment.

We''ll be gathering virtually for a start. And alongside the Fellows unveiling their startups and pitching for your support, we''ll be hosting discussions about how we can use this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine society for the better.

We hope you can join us.

The ventures and our guest speakers will be announced soon, so grab your free ticket below and stay tuned.

Crowdbacker 2020: Building Back Better | Thursday 16th July | 18:00 to 19:30

It''s your last chance to grab your free ticket to Crowdbacker 2020, our virtual crowdfunding event. Join us from 6pm as we launch six new social startups and ask the all-important question, how can we build back better after the COVID crisis.

Meet the new ventures and the social issues they''re setting out to tackle over on our blog. This evening the teams will be delivering speedy four-minute pitches to win your support. Contribute however you can - with introductions and assistance, social media love, or cold hard cash.

Tonight will be hosted by our very own Nishan Varatharajan. Alongside the pitching and pledging, we''ll have author and Vice editor, Zing Tsjeng sharing her vision for life after the pandemic. And our alumni entrepreneurs, Mursal Hedayat and Aaron John will be on hand to offer their expert critique of the emerging ventures'' plans.

We''ll see you very soon.

Like it has for everyone, this situation has knocked us for six.

All week, we''ve been rapidly planning now that isolation is the new normal. We're thinking about how our Fellows can continue to learn and contribute safely. We're thinking about how to help our ventures survive this existential threat.

Most of all, we're thinking about the hundreds of thousands of Brits who are most at-risk in these scary times - the older, the vulnerable, the already-isolated. Of course, there's the virus itself but there's also the real risk of neglect, starvation, mental illness, or loss of access to the NHS.

At Year Here, our bias is towards action. We''ll be doing everything we possibly can to keep people healthy and safe, to build community and to make sure we emerge from this crisis with renewed vigour to fix what is broken in our society.

We're sharing a few tools that have been shared within the Year Here fam over the past few days below. And we''re also asking you: what should we do next?
 

WHAT HAVE WE MISSED?

We also want to hear from you: what are you involved in? who should we amplify?

Follow the link below and we''ll post your ideas on twitter and instagram.

After two months in Venture Lab, our 2019/20 Fellows are finally ready to launch their social startups this Thursday at Crowdbacker 2020.

Over on our blog, we have a sneak preview so you can get acquainted with the six ventures ahead of the event - and the problems the teams are setting out to tackle, from fighting food poverty to widening access to the games industry.

Make sure you''ve got your ticket and join us for a virtual event supporting the social enterprises ready to start rebuilding in the wake of the pandemic.