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Maximising the potential of renewable energy: problem solving for the RED WoLF project

Posted by Rachel

The RED WoLF summer school will take place entirely online from June – August 2021, where small groups will develop impactful projects, research or initiatives addressing real-world challenges faced by the RED WoLF project, which is maximising the potential of renewable energy and smart renewables.

Students will be presented challenges by the RED WoLF project partners, and other key stakeholders and then will be assigned in small interdisciplinary groups to a challenge stream based on academic discipline, experience and interests. Students will be invited to join a number of online workshops and seminars to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to problem-solve their assigned challenge, before working independently and in groups to address the challenges over the 9-week programme.

We are expecting the time commitment for students to be around 1 day per week, with very few set hours so it is manageable around other commitments. In August, student groups will write up and present their findings, results and recommendations back to the challenge setters and other relevant stakeholders and receive feedback.

Through taking part, you will develop and demonstrate transferable professional and academic skills and apply them to challenges which are addressing the climate emergency. You will also earn a digital badge. Whilst we expect the majority of students to take part in an extra-curricular capacity, we can aim to meet academic requirements if you are able to claim academic credit for placements such as this as part of your course. Please talk to your supervisor and get in touch with us to discuss more.

Applications are open now for students from all disciplines in North-West Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland). Apply here (deadline 7 May): bit.ly/redwolfschool

Social Media Marketing and / or Web Design and or accountancy

Posted by David

We have 2 directors: myself (I am registered blind and have a guide dog called Darcy) as well as Dyslexia and my partner Karren has severe Dyslexia.

We have recently launch our own not for profit social enterprise that aims to support employers to recruit and retain the skills of the 1 million disabled people looking for work. We work with employers to bust the many myths around employing disabled people and promote the many benefits. We also run free workshops for disabled people on the 'facts of life' within the recruitment process.

We know our strengths and that is supporting disabled people using our own lived experience and our professional expertise having carried out similar roles within the public service. We are both very good at it.

COVID has been particularly hard, the nature of our work is face to face by default and as such after launching in February 2020 our opportunities drained very quickly as it did with many businesses. This has meant that finances have been VERY limited and we have not as yet made any profit even though we have invested over £6,000 of our own money to keep the business afloat.

We also know our weaknesses:
Accountancy: With both of us having dyslexia and my visual impairment, numbers are a particular challenge. We do basic book keeping but need support with tax returns etc.

Social medial marketing: SEO, blogging and online presence are also very challenging and we are not making any effective use of the services that are available to us due to the many 'accessibility' barriers we face.

Web design: I have had a crack at it, www.breasonable.co.uk, and as you can see it's pretty poor.

We just need to get the basics right so that we can start to run our social enterprise to the benefit of the disabled community.

For Good