Project Description

Industry: Public Sector
Name: DYW Ambassador Programme / DYW Big Bag Challenge
Type: Entrepreneurship
Businesses: as listed

Project Overview
Our DYW Ambassadors have chosen to promote their presence and value within our school by developing and running a charity business called BAGZ AND MORE. Their goal is to build on their leadership and entrepreneurial skills whilst supporting a local charity.
The ambassadors chose ‘The Big Bag Challenge’ as a platform to engage pupils and staff and have a presence at large school events such as Parents’ Evenings, The SLP Christmas Fayre and annual Careers’ Fayre.
Their games and entertainment business raises money for their chosen charity, SEAL Dunfermline which supports children in West Fife. The ambassadors have set up their games stall at large school events – raising money and awareness in a variety of ways. Amongst many of their games are ‘Big Bag Tombola’s,’ ‘Guess The Name of The Bear’ and ‘Get the ball in the Bag’. They even had their own business stall at the IHS Careers Fayre to promote BAGZ AND MORE. Their games are all interactive experiences that are inclusive for all. They are engineered to engage students and staff in conversation about their charity but also promote their role within the school as DYW Ambassadors.
Through this format they can recruit interested pupils coming up through the school from S1-3 as DYW Ambassadors, who can continue the work for the charity and the school for years to come.
Another aspect of their charity is giving the schools more vulnerable pupils free bags filled with life and school essentials – such as body wash and deodorant, calculators and pencils, sanitary products and shampoo. These products were all donated to their business from the school service department.

Training and Challenge
As part of their training the Ambassadors attended an entrepreneurial competition at Edinburgh Future’s Institute – Start Hackathon. During the competition they were supported by successful entrepreneurs from all over Scotland and created their own start up business which they presented to a judging panel and an audience. The judges described their idea as ‘commendable’.

Objectives
-To inspire students to pursue a career in entrepreneurship and business.
-To promote further education and training courses to students
considering careers in business and leadership.
-Provide valuable experiences that aid young people in their
future career decisions.
-Provide practical learning experiences to enhance skills for
work.
-Connect pupils with successful businesses in Fife and Edinburgh.
-Provide pupils with the opportunity to build their CV and personal statement.

Intended Outcomes
-Enhancing entrepreneurial skills and attitudes for work.
-Increasing well-being of participants by encouraging collaboration and communication.
-Building strong connections between the school and industry professionals.
-Enjoyment – An opportunity for our young people to enhance leadership skills and boost confidence.
-Promoting DYW presence and leadership around IHS
-Recruiting future ambassadors from the BGE cohort
-Raise money for SEAL to give back to West Fife.

Partners and Businesses Involved
– DYW
– Skillfluence
– START Hackathon
– Edinburgh University
– Edinburgh Futures Institute
– SEAL.

Feedback

N T S4 ‘A lot of people were interested in the business and ambassadors. People recognise the ambassadors now.’

Chloe Blake S4 ‘I really enjoyed the games. I felt included and it was a fun way to learn about the charity and DYW.’