We were thrilled to welcome 8billionideas back to school this week for two days of highly successful and enterprising workshops.
On Monday, Year 9 and Year 10 students became charity founders during an inspirational workshop led by Joel, Claire and Tom from the 8billionideas team. The session kicked off with some valuable entrepreneurial insights, setting the stage for students to explore and develop their own charitable causes to focus on and develop throughout the day. There were some excellent charitable business ideas including a sustainable clothing brand, a women’s health awareness charity, and a domestic abuse support centre – all highly creative but also deeply empathetic, showcasing the students’ passion for making a positive difference in the world.
Next, the students were guided through the practical steps of funding and launching their charities, with expert advice on organising successful fundraisers and exploring different strategies to generate the money needed. The 8billionideas team also shared their top marketing tips, giving students a better understanding of how to effectively promote and raise awareness of their causes. To wrap up the workshop, the students took part in a fun and creative finale, where they developed mind-maps and storyboards to shape their charity ideas. Some even went the extra mile by filming their own commercials, which they proudly presented to their peers and teachers at the end of the day!
The following day, Sixth Form students participated in an engaging workshop entitled ‘CEO of Your Own Life’. They learned about growth, including personal and professional development and how to plan for both, and were introduced to the Eisenhower Matrix – a method for organising tasks based on their urgency and importance. Everyone was then encouraged to reflect on their own personality traits and preferences, before creating a personalised development plan for the next week, year and five years. The workshop ended with students preparing and delivering compelling speeches about their passions, goals and aspirations. There were some excellent presentations made and well-deserved sweet treats for everyone!
The 8billionideas team were highly impressed with the way students engaged with both workshops. Joel commented: “It was my first time facilitating at Kingsley and what a wonderful experience it was! The students were super fun to talk to and extremely insightful.” Claire said: “My favourite moment was when one of the Sixth Formers told me the skills they had learned would help them get through their university interviews.” Tom added: “Days like these are the reason I wanted to be a facilitator. The students were an absolute pleasure to work with. Seeing those who weren’t super confident take that first step towards giving public speaking a go and knocking it out of the park, whilst being completely supported and respected by their classmates, meant the world. It feels great to make a positive impact and I’m glad they enjoyed the experience.”
Kingsley’s partnership with 8billionideas was established in September 2023 and has seen students of all ages engaging in future-focused workshops designed to inspire and develop essential life skills, including entrepreneurship, problem-solving and teamworking. With a mission to give students the skills and belief to change the world, 8billionideas is helping to shape the next generation of changemakers. We’re excited to see where the partnership will take Kingsley students as they continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead.