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initiative supported by:

Community Action Network

Krafty Kids in Peterlee

A boy and a girl painting at a table

Some students were leaving Shotton Hall School at the age of 16 with few or no qualifications.  With high unemployment in the area their futures weren't looking very promising.

An enterprising teacher and a few other colleagues grouped some of these school leavers and together they applied for funding to start an E2E programme - Education To Employment.  Krafty Kids was then set up to act as the enterprise / vocational arm of the programme.

"It gets me out and about and I've learnt how to take responsibility for my work"
Krafty Kids is entirely run by the E2E students.  They go and visit local factories and warehouses and collect any unwanted goods / scrap that would normally be thrown away.  They then sell these at a low cost to local schools and nurseries to be used as arts and crafts materials.  The group also buys scissors, glue and colouring pens in bulk to sell at a profit.
A boy talking on the phone

Krafty Kids is a successful social enterprise for three reasons:

  • Firstly, it supplies cheap arts and crafts materials to its local community.
  • Secondly, the business teaches its students many new skills and gives them something educational and worthwhile to do in an environment were few opportunities are available.
  • Thirdly, it's making a profit to allow the business to carry on.
"I used to be really shy and lack confidence but now I've got loads of mates and really enjoy working with them"
The group manages and works for Krafty Kids for six months only, after which they have to pass the business on to the next group of E2E students.  Since Krafty Kids started two years ago, eighteen out of the twenty students have successfully moved on to either full time employment or further education!
I want to run my own business one day and make it a huge success!

 

As well as entrepreneurial skills, Krafty Kids teaches students communication, presentation, team building and interpersonal skills.  In addition they get the chance to improve their numeracy and life skills.  They also learn how to interact with local businessmen and women, price goods and develop their selling techniques - no wonder none of them want to leave in a hurry!