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Five weeks, three schools and a chance to make a difference - Giving Nation TV Challenge – Community Channel’s brand new three-part observational documentary will be showing from Monday 11th June (episode 1), followed by episode 2 on Wednesday 13th June and episode 3 on Friday 15th June, all @ 7pm).
The documentary series has been produced by Media Trust Productions and looks at how three English schools turn a social enterprise idea into a reality to benefit their local communities – with just £250 and five weeks to do it. In episode 3 – The Verdict, students go head-to-head and face a Dragon’s Den type panel to see which project comes out on top to win the Giving Nation TV Challenge.
Panellists for the final presentation include Eric Samuel (CEO Community Food Enterprise), Andy Thornton (Director of Participation and Social Action of Citizenship Foundation), Nigel Kershaw (CEO of Big Invest), and Penny Newman (CEO of Café Direct).
Citizenship Foundation, an independent charity aiming to empower individuals to engage in the wider community through education, devised the Giving Nation TV Challenge to raise awareness of the nationwide social enterprise scheme - ‘Giving Nation Challenge’.
The series showcases the progress of the enterprise projects from London’s Phoenix High School, Wilmington Enterprise College near Dartford, Kent, and Highfields, in Matlock, Derbyshire.
Giving Nation TV Challenge Series
Programme 1: The Idea
The Giving Nation Challenge kicks off as the three schools begin setting up their social enterprises. With a five-week time limit the clock starts ticking, and the students put their business acumen to the test. Working on their ideas, researching local needs, suppliers and potential customers, the programme is action-packed. The students then enter into a Dragon’s Den style pitch to a panel of local experts who choose the best idea to put into practice and represent the school.
Monday, 11th June @ 7pm
Programme 2: The Business
Now the projects have been chosen at each school, the enterprise teams are set up. Further market research refines the ideas, and the teams get stuck in to creating and publicising their products. But no business ever runs completely smoothly, and all is not straightforward! Crucial help drops out, there’s not enough money in the budget and tragic events nearby all conspire to make the task even harder for the students…but their resolve and commitment shines through.
Wednesday, 13th June @ 7pm
Programme 3: The Verdict
The schools launch their projects: in Derbyshire, the Highfields School team is selling mugs to fund cleaning up Matlock; in West London, the team at Phoenix High School holds their first open mic session for the local youth; and at Wilmington Enterprise College in Kent, the ‘Generations’ team takes orders for their CD Rom for elderly people. Which of them will be the overall winner of the Challenge? There’s only one way to find out…
Friday, 15th June @ 7pm
For viewing copies, images and interviews please contact Rebecca Farquhar via email at rebeccaf@communitychannel.org or call Rachel Lailey on 020 7874 7908 or email rachell@communitychannel.org
For further information on Giving Nation and Citizenship Foundation please contact Catherine Torazzo, PR Manager, on 0207 566 5034 / 07813035788 or email catherine.torazzo@citizenshipfoundation.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Community Channel
Community Channel is dedicated to engaging audiences with the charitable and voluntary sector, showcasing stories and issues that inspire action and encourage involvement. Broadcasting original shows, the best of terrestrial TV and showcasing the work of new directors and community programme makers, Community Channel is the place for real-life stories from communities around the world. The channel is a free-to-air TV station available to 16.5 million digital households in the UK. Around 1.2 million people tune in every month (source: BARB) and we receive more than 12,000 responses a week from viewers. Community Channel is a Media Trust initiative.
Giving Nation and Citizenship Foundation
1. Giving Nation www.g-nation.co.uk is part of the Citizenship Foundation, an independent charity that aims to empower individuals to engage in the wider community through education about the law, democracy and society. Founded in 1989, it focuses particularly on developing young people's citizenship skills, knowledge and understanding. The Foundation's work, across the UK and internationally, includes resources, training, active learning, community projects and research.
2. Giving Nation (G-Nation) supports and promotes young people’s learning and engagement in charitable activity, volunteering and campaigning through free school resources, an online awards programme and a web community at www.g-nation.co.uk
3. The Giving Nation Resource Pack, developed in association with the DfES, enables teachers to meet Citizenship curriculum targets through charitable activity in schools and includes lesson plans, teacher notes, project materials and activity ideas. In 2005-6 it was sent free to 4,000 subscribing secondary schools. It contains modules on charitable giving, and volunteering for young people.
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