Last Wednesday The Rank Foundation launched applications for the Rank Memorial Award 2018. This is open to all members of the network and opens up an opportunity to embark on an adventure exploring an area of personal interest relating to our ethos. You can read more about the award and how to apply here: RankNet Blog – Memorial Award 2018.

This presents a great opportunity to take a look at the progress and travels of the 2017 Memorial Award winners: Sian, Michaela and Jenny. The prize grant was split between three of the applicants, and each have been planning and embarking on their trips over the past 6 months.

Jenny Map

Jenny Geddis

At the time of appling, Jenny was a Time to Shine Intern at Giving Northern Ireland.

Jenny applied to travel to Kolkata, India to visit and learn from a Freedom Business called Freeset, as a social issue she is interested in is human trafficking, why it happens and how it can be prevented in Northern Ireland and globally.

Freeset produces and exports clothing and fabric globally while using an “upside down” model that turns the normal principles of running a business on their head. At Freeset, women are employed on the basis of their need for freedom, rather than their qualifications – many have had little or no schooling. They are trained and then paid well above the going market rate. The women actively engage in running the business. All profits from Freeset in Kolkata benefit the women (salary, health insurance and retirement plan) and are used to grow the business. Meaning more women can be employed and experience freedom.

For the first three weeks of Jenny’s stay in Kolkata, she took part in a programme called “Freedom Encounter” which involved learning more about Kolkata’s culture, how to set up a business with the purpose of freedom and also with an ethical supply chain along with finding out more about all things fabric, bags and t-shirts including the processes behind cutting, weaving, sewing and printing.

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Sian Howarth

Sian is employed by Blackpool Carers as a Fundraising Executive and travelled to South Africa this Spring.

Sian flew to Johannesburg to an organisation called Spark International, who also operate in Australia, Bangladesh and Kenya. Spark International recruits and supports local leaders with solutions to local problems in some of the world’s toughest communities. Spark runs 3 accelerator courses per year where entrepreneurs apply with their start-up business ideas.

Sian had initially planned to spend her time with the entrepreneurs, however it soon became evident that Spark South Africa were in desperate need of advice and help with their social media, and also with their funding proposals. Using her skills from Blackpool Carers, Sian decided to divert her attention to their needs.

By week 3, Sian was able to get more involved in the accelerator course and meet the delegates. This proved to be an eye opening experience.

Despite saying goodbye and returning home, Sian has agreed to continue supporting Spark with her grant writing skills.

In her time off, Sian told us some highlights for her was visiting a game reserve and seeing ‘the big 5’, and visiting Cape Town and seeing Table Mountain.

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Michaela Collins

In a world where imagination and creativity is becoming more stagnated and with technology taking over every part of our lives – Michaela believes that we all need more Play!

Michaela will be going to visit Kaboom! an amazing charity based in Washington DC, U.S.A, who support communities all over America to design and build their own playgrounds and make their communities more playful. You can read more about Kaboom! here.