Brought to you by SEI - CHANGING IRELAND: MY BIG IDEA: Episode 1

Summary

This video script explores the impact of social entrepreneurship in Ireland, highlighting innovative solutions to social problems. It features Men's Sheds, community spaces fostering camaraderie and skill-sharing; Food Cloud, combating food waste by connecting surplus food with charities; and Coolin, offering affordable, energy-efficient homes. The script underscores the determination and creativity of social entrepreneurs in enhancing lives and communities.

Takeaways

• 🌟 A social entrepreneur is someone who takes action to solve a problem that hasn't been fixed, often by developing new approaches and having the determination to see them through.
• 🛠️ Men's Sheds are social spaces in Ireland where men come together to learn, share skills, and make new friends, offering a new dimension to life and a chance for self-discovery through interaction.
• 🏥 The concept of Men's Sheds originated in Australia and has grown to over 450 locations in Ireland, with over 10,000 men visiting weekly, providing a supportive community for mental health.
• 🚁 The introduction of Ireland's first dedicated charity-funded air ambulance aims to reduce waiting times for medical assistance, with the potential to attend up to 500 calls a year.
• 💰 Social entrepreneurs often face challenges in funding their big ideas, relying on fundraising, crowdfunding, or philanthropy to bring their projects to life.
• 🍲 Food Cloud is a social enterprise with a vision to eliminate food waste by connecting the food industry with the charity sector, using technology to notify charities of surplus food.
• 🌱 Food Cloud has had a significant impact, saving 22,000 tons of food from waste, which equates to 72,000 tons of carbon emissions and over 50 million meals for charities.
• 🏡 Coolin is a housing initiative focused on delivering well-designed, energy-efficient homes at an affordable price, relying on support from local authorities for land and development levies.
• 🏘️ Coolin's model is a fully integrated cooperative affordable housing model, currently the only provider of affordable houses for sale in Ireland, addressing the housing crisis and affordability issues.
• 🤝 The importance of community engagement in social entrepreneurship is highlighted, with Coolin's approach to discussing objections and working with the local community to gain support for their projects.
• 📈 The script showcases various social entrepreneurs and their big ideas, emphasizing the impact they are having across Ireland in areas such as health, food waste, and housing.

Q & A

What is the primary motivation behind social entrepreneurship according to the script?

Social entrepreneurs are motivated by the need to address problems that are not being fixed by others. They take action to make their ideas a reality and impact society positively.

What is a Men's Shed and how did it start?

A Men's Shed is a social space where men come together to learn, share skills, and make new friends. The concept started in Australia and arrived in Ireland in 2009.

How many Men's Sheds are there in Ireland and how many men visit them weekly?

There are over 450 Men's Sheds in Ireland, with over 10,000 men visiting a shed every week.

What benefits do Men's Sheds provide to their members?

Men's Sheds offer a place for men to socialize, learn new skills, and support each other. They help men rediscover themselves and improve their mental health by providing a supportive community.

What is the mission of Food Cloud?

Food Cloud aims to reduce food waste by connecting supermarkets with surplus food to local charities through an app, ensuring that edible food does not go to waste.

How does Food Cloud's app work?

Supermarkets use the app to notify local charities about available surplus food, which the charities then collect directly from the store.

What other solution does Food Cloud provide besides the app?

Food Cloud also collects large quantities of surplus food from further up the food supply chain, stores it in warehouses, and distributes it to charities.

What impact has Food Cloud had in terms of food redistribution and environmental benefits?

Food Cloud has redistributed 22,000 tons of surplus food, equivalent to 72,000 tons of carbon savings, providing over 50 million meals across Ireland and the UK over the last six years.

What is the mission of Coolin Housing?

Coolin Housing aims to deliver well-designed, energy-efficient homes at an affordable price, with support from local authorities through discounted land and waived development levies.

How does Coolin Housing ensure affordability in their housing projects?

Coolin Housing provides affordable houses by collaborating with local authorities for discounted land and waiving development levies, ensuring houses are sold at lower prices while meeting strict eligibility criteria for buyers.