We’re Join Our Core finalists!

2014 is certainly proving to be an exciting year for the Dot Dot Dot team. After the excitement of winning a spot on Nesta’s 2014 New Radicals list and getting shortlisted for another Security Excellence Award, we are now very proud to announce that we are one of only two UK finalists in the Ben & Jerry’s Join our Core 2014 competition.

Join Our Core is Ben & Jerry’s and Ashoka’s annual, global competition to celebrate those who are creating exciting new models for sustainable business to help make a difference in communities. This year’s finale, held across London, Singapore & Tokyo next month, will see the finalists from eleven countries (UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Singapore and Japan) go head to head, with one young entrepreneur from each region being crowned as a winner.

Our brilliant UK opponent is the Scottish venture One Feeds Two which aims to make it simple for the food industry to tackle child hunger and for the companies within it to come together. We’re honoured to be chosen out of thousands of outstanding enterprises across the country and it’s exciting to be recognised as part of a growing network of young social enterprises who are working hard to create real change.

As Felicity McLean, Framework Change Manager for Ashoka Europe, said: “We are hugely excited by the quality of applications this year- it’s testament to the changing world we live in, and a true nod to a world where every young person feels equipped with the skills and confidence to drive positive change in their communities.”

Each of the winners will scoop €10,000 investment, mentoring from Ashoka, and will, amazingly, see their business logo featured on an exclusive Ben & Jerry’s tub in 2015. The final is in London on the 19^th November, so wish us luck please and watch this ice-cream tub shaped space.

Top 5 London Volunteering Opportunities

Are you a gifted writer, photographer or videographer? Then become an Ashoka UK Storyteller for Change at their Makers of More Summit next week. Other great volunteering opportunities come via the Bee Collective and Rootless Garden.

Case study volunteer needed
Where: 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ
When: ASAP
Sustrans is a charity that enables people to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys. Their media team is looking for a creative, media-savvy volunteer to help them collect case studies and coordinate media activity. The volunteer will help the media team to develop interesting and human interest case studies for the charity’s next campaigns.

Find out more information and how to apply here.

Volunteer for Crisis at Christmas
Where: Tower Hamlets
When: 23 – 30 December 2014
Crisis at Christmas (CC) provides companionship and support to alleviate loneliness and isolation and help people to take their first steps out of homelessness. In the run-up to Christmas, Crisis HQ opens a small call centre to process up to 16,000 enquiries and applications from prospective volunteers.

They need volunteers to support them in the efficient running of the call centre. This will involve answering telephone and e-mail enquiries and generally supporting the work of the volunteer team in this large scale volunteer recruitment.

Storytelling for Change
Where: Makers of More Summit 2014, Oval Space, 29-32 The Oval, London E2 9DT
When: Thursday 16th October
Ashoka UK are looking for exceptional volunteer storytellers on a mission to inspire, evoke and ignite action for social change – be it through writing, photography, video or social media.
Time commitment: 1 full day – 16th October 4:00pm – 10:00pm, plus write up time.

Applications to be a Storyteller for Change for the Makers of More summit, plus a link to where they can find you online should be submitted by Monday 13th October. For more information visit their website.

Get sticky with the Bee Collective
Where: The Annexe, 25 Eccleston Place, London, SW1W 9NF
When: Tuesday and Thursday evenings
Bee Collective is a dedicated social enterprise that works specifically with and for London beekeepers. See how they get honey from the hive to the table, and get involved in extraction and bottling. No equipment or experience necessary – just come along and join in the buzz.

Find out more and get in touch via their website.

Volunteers to help run the W4 Social Club
Where: The Tabard, 2 Bath Rd, London W4 1LW
When: every Tuesday, from 12 to 3pm
The W4 Social Club is a social club in Chiswick, hosted by fellow New Radical winners Rootless Garden at The Tabard pub. It runs every Tuesday, from 12 to 3pm and is open to anyone aged 55 and over who is interested in making friends, enjoying great pub food and getting stuck into new or familiar hobbies.

Volunteers are needed for organising fun weekly activities and setting up the space. The role will include facilitating an area filled with games, conversation starters and a painting corner where the members can get to know new people, chat to each other or develop their artistic side. Find out more information and get in touch on their website.