Project
Eastside People provided workshops to all the participants on the topics of developing a theory of change, generating trading income, marketing and sales, modelling your social business, accessibility and sustainability, as well as one-off sessions on legal structures and meeting the asset lock, and wellbeing. Eastside People’s specialists were available for up to eight hours of one-to-one business support to all the participants on the accelerator programme.
Eastside People’s Ann Nkune was matched as a mentor with Wander Wild Forest School. Ann has wide experience across charity, social enterprise and local government, and deep skills in governance, policy and strategy. She was particularly suited to support Wander Wild Forest School due to her background in early years work.
Together Zainab and Ann dived straight into the immediate needs of the new business which was, firstly, to register as a Community Interest Company with Companies House. “The main issue for us was not having a formal structure,” says Zainab. “We were an informal community group and that meant there were funds that we couldn’t apply for. Ann provided a checklist of things that needed to be done during the registration process, which was invaluable, as was Ann’s support to complete all the paperwork. It was really reassuring, because it was all new to us,” says Zainab.
Ann and Zainab also worked in more depth through some of the themes that the workshops had introduced, such as creating a business plan, developing a strategy and a theory of change.
“It was really helpful to go through these things with Ann,” says Zainab. “We went back to basics and thought about who our competitors are, who our key audience is. We want to scale but at the same time stay true to our values, so we were thinking about what our value proposition is as well as how to be attractive to investors. We also started getting some corporate partnerships, so we had to think about what we charge them.”
Ann explains that the mentoring sessions were mostly delivered online, making it easier for Zainab to fit them in around her busy work and home life, and, although Ann started with some outlines of subjects to tackle, she also gave Zainab the opportunity to direct their focus. “We spent a couple of sessions focusing on business modelling and pricing strategies, and then we moved on to me providing a looser thinking environment for Zainab to go where she needed to, in terms of what was most pressing and urgent for them,” says Ann.
Zainab appreciated Ann’s understanding of the challenges that Wander Wild Forest School was facing in its earliest stages. “Ann’s expertise and experience were invaluable,” says Zainab. “We were really new to the business world, so the fact that she had run a business in the early years sector meant she understood the business environment we are working in. And she understands women-led businesses; she knows about juggling the priorities of having a family and trying to run something for other families.”
Zainab adds: “It was great to bounce ideas off Ann. On our calls she’d always say, what do you want to do today? Do you just need a sounding board? And sometimes I just needed that. It was really helpful.”
Next steps
For Wander Wild Forest School, the Power Up London Accelerator Programme – and Ann’s support – have been a great way to take the first steps in their business. “I feel more confident now,” says Zainab. “Having the support from Ann has made me feel I’m competent enough to run a business and I also know that there’s a lot of help and resource out there, if you know where to look.”
Since the accelerator programme ended, Wander Wild Forest School contracted Ann to write an impact report, which they needed for one of their funders. This demonstrates – among other things – that during 2023-24, Wander Wild Forest School delivered 38 forest school sessions for 207 children and their families; and that 75% of respondents to a questionnaire rated their satisfaction as 5/5.
Zainab is pleased with their progress. “We get feedback every week from our sessions with the families. People gain a lot from being in an outdoor space, even if it’s just their mental wellbeing. A lot of families say their kids have gained confidence.”
At the end of the Power Up London Accelerator Programme, participants could apply for grant funding. Wander Wild Forest School received £15,900 which they’ve made the most of by creating their first website, investing in equipment and paying for some practical training, such as first aid. They are also launching their first product, a set of nature alphabet flashcards, which will develop another income stream for the business.
As to the future, “it’s about continuing to inspire more young families to be outdoors”, says Zainab. “This is something that families can access in their local area, so it’s a huge benefit to the community. And it’s been amazing working with Ann. Her mentorship was the best part of the programme for us.”
Jo Simpson, Eastside People’s senior fund development manager: said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with the inspiring and diverse organisations that took part in the Power Up London Accelerator Programme and in particular to be able to deliver the one-to-one support so that relationships extended beyond the workshops. To see the creativity and drive of these early-stage enterprises was really rewarding.”
