US2U Consulting's Kerwin Blackburn on Friday visited Indian non-profit organisation Literacy India and its offshoot social enterprise Indha Craft in Gurgaon, south of New Delhi.

Kerwin is currently spending two weeks in India studying Social Entrepreneurship at IILM Institute for Business & Management as part of a British Council visit, undertaking research for US2U Consulting's corporate social responsibility strategy.

The visit explained Indha Craft's business model as a social enterprise - manufacturing and retailing handcrafted products - as well as its purpose of supporting adjacent NPO Literacy India in its aim of providing basic education to women and children in a socio-cultural environment.

Kerwin also gained an insight into Indha Craft's effective supply chain, from on-site paper recycling department to gift shop via a team of skilled craftswomen. The visit also took in Literacy India's lively classrooms and ethos of "Education, Empowerment and Employment".

After an inspiring tour, Project Director Mr. Satya Prakash also reflected on the challenges facing the two organisations and their strategies to overcome these in line with their 5 year plan. Much to Kerwin's surprise, this includes a desire for visitors to promote Literacy India and Indha Craft in their home countries and provide the organisations with international exposure.

Such was the passionate and upbeat nature of the visit, when asked for his advice for those thinking of entering the social enterprise sector Mr. Prakash's response was, "don't do the same product as us!".

More news of Kerwin's visit to India to follow...

US2U Consulting were pleased to donate an assortment of sweets and confectionary, left over from a recent event, to Your Own Place CIC, a Norwich-based social enterprise committed to finding new solutions to old problems with the prevention of youth homelessness as the final outcome.

Your Own Place Director and Founder, Rebecca White, tweeted "our young people are going to love them in the training flat" - their recently-launched property in which they will provide hands-on training and experience of how to live indepently to young people.

For more information on how you can support Your Own Place or assist them in the growth of their training flat, visit www.yourownplace.org.uk, www.twitter.com/yourownplace or contact rebecca@yourownplace.org.uk.

Rachel Blackburn was presented with her Open University Business School Highly Commended Alumni Award for her contribution to an organisation and society at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 22 June.

The Open University's mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas, and the award was presented as part of their Student and Alumni Awards 2015, presented in 2016. It provided an opportunity to meet other Open University MBA alumni and reflect on their achievements since graduating.

The day also included a tour of the campus, with presentations on the Open University Library Services and on Space Instrumentation.

The award winners also got the opportunity to record their thoughts and experiences on camera: watch Rachel's here!

"All our winners have shown huge drive, determination and commitment" said Executive Dean and Director of Studies, Professor Rebecca Taylor.

Rachel Blackburn was a judge at the University of East Anglia's Young Enterprise final at the Enterprise Centre, where she and the other judges had to determine which of their companies would progress to the national final in London.

The companies pitched their products and fielded questions from the panel of judges, who were particularly impressed by eventual winners Tritiki and their range of blended teas aimed at students.

"It was great to see such enthusiasm and passion for their products from the young entrepreneurs!" said Rachel.

The event also coincided with Rachel's day of filming for an Open University MOOC (Meet, Greet and Get Ready to Tweet!), meaning the deliberation amongst the judges could be set to feature in the final cut - we will keep you posted!

Rachel and Kerwin Blackburn attended The Business Show 2016 on the 11th and 12th May at the ExCeL Arena, London.

The Business Show is the UK's biggest exhibition for anyone starting or growing a business and offers and wealth of networking opportunities and inspirational speakers to its 25,000 visiting business owners.

The show also provided the team with numerous tips and invaluable insight to put into practice. Alongside The Business Show, the ExCeL was also hosting the B2B Marketing Expo and the Sales Innovation Expo, ensuring Rachel and Kerwin gained exposure to a mixture of complementary disciplines, making for a very productive couple of days!