Step-Up Programme
2025
Are you 18-30? Live or work in East London? And have an idea to create meaningful change in your community? We want to hear from you! Our Step Up Programme is designed to support ambitious young people in developing social enterprises and community projects using their lived experiences.
No Qualifications Needed!
Included in this fully-funded programme:
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16 interactive learning workshops (weekly on Tuesday evenings - mix of virtual and in-person), followed by monthly catchups and mentoring
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£1,000 start-up grant
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Corporate & specialised mentors
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1:1 coaching sessions
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Support to pilot your idea
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Help accessing further funding
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Tailored additional support if needed
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Community of like-minded social entrepreneurs
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Access to networks
No Qualifications Needed - We prioritise passion, drive, and dedication and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds—including care and criminal justice experienced, young carers and those with first-hand experience of the inequalities they aim to change.
Is this programme right for me?
You should apply if you:
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Are 18-30 years old
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Live, work or aspire to work in East London
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Have a social business or project idea
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Are passionate about creating change
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Are an independent learner
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Can engage in peer-to-peer mentoring
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Are seeking specialist mentoring
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Can commit to the full programme (March 2025 – January 2026)
Being a part of the Step Up Programme and the Social Ark Family has been life-changing for me! I learned core skills and was empowered to build my self-confidence and learn public speaking skills. Because of Social Ark, I have secured grant funding for my business and have been able to collaborate with my peers on impactful community projects. I have made authentic connections with industry leaders and have gained lifelong friends and mentors. I am happy that my journey with Social Ark doesn’t end here.
Kowiyat "Mayo" Ajimobi, Social Ark entrepreneur
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.
Brogan Brooks, Social Ark entrepreneur
Social Ark entrepreneurs pitching to our own Funders Panel! Thanks to Joel Buchanan (Quintessentially), Alyson Hodkinson (Westfield) and Sarah Nelson (Foundation for Future London)
Social Entrepreneurship Masterclass with Natalie Campbell MBE
Kowiyat “Mayo” Ajimobi - founder of The Lady Powerhouse CIC, with her specialist mentor Anna Chojnicka - Social Entrepreneur and Head of Responsible Business at YBI, at The House of Commons
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Communications workshop at Barclays HQ, Canary Wharf with Curtis Baron, Chief of Staff
2025 Step Up Programme Celebration Night with Special Guests David McQueen (Social Ark Trustee), Allan Anderson (East End Community Foundation), Lauren Rosenfeld (East End Community Foundation) , Joel Buchanan (Quintessentially) and Denise Ramsey (Joseph Levy Foundation)
Brogan Brooks, founder of Truce ‘n’ Train
Interested? What next?
Applications for our 2025 Step Up cohort are now closed!
Do you have questions?
Email info@socialark.co.uk for more info or Join a Q&A session.