Step Up - Step Into Social Enterprise
Applications Now Open!
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 - 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.
Included in this fully-funded programme:
16 interactive learning workshops (weekly on Tuesday evenings - mix of virtual and in-person), followed by monthly catchups and mentoring
£1,000 start-up grant
Corporate & specialised mentors
1:1 coaching sessions
Support to pilot your idea
Help accessing further funding
Tailored additional support if needed
Community of like-minded social entrepreneurs
Access to networks
Is this programme right for me?
You should apply if you:
Are 18-30 years old
Live, work or aspire to work in East London
Have a social business or project idea
Are passionate about creating change
Are an independent learner
Can engage in peer-to-peer mentoring
Are seeking specialist mentoring
Can commit to the full programme (March 2025 – January 2026)
Interested? What next?
Applications for our 2025 Step Up cohort are now open! Apply now and take the first step toward building something incredible.
Do you have questions?
Email info@socialark.co.uk for more info or Join a Q&A session:
Session 1: Tues 18th Feb, 1-2 pm
Session 2: Mon 24th Feb, 6-7 pm
Ready to be the change you want to see?
Social Entrepreneurship Masterclass with Natalie Campbell MBE
Share our inclusive values?
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
“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.”
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)
Social Ark entrepreneurs pitching to our own Funders Panel! Thanks to Joel Buchanan (Quintessentially), Alyson Hodkinson (Westfield) and Sarah Nelson (Foundation for Future London)
Ready to join the Social Ark Family?
Communications workshop at Barclays HQ, Canary Wharf with Curtis Baron, Chief of Staff
Want to make a difference?
Brogan Brooks, founder of Truce ‘n’ Train
“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.”
