Year Here is a course in social innovation that is grounded in the daily experience of those at the frontline of inequality and focused on launching social businesses with potential for huge impact.
We think that starting a social business could be your best shot at impact. Our Fellows pick up the tools of business to fight injustice. While other startups are flogging dating apps or designing solutions to some other middle class inconvenience, we focus on problems that really matter.
To tackle the housing crisis, the growing needs of our ageing population or the surge of violent crime on our streets, we must start by listening and learning at the frontline of inequality. So your journey as a Year Here Fellow starts in a homeless hostel, care home or pupil referral unit.
Over 10 months, you’ll learn how to build entrepreneurial solutions to society’s toughest problems – from educational inequality to homelessness. If selected to become a Fellow, you will:
Fellows join us with an average of 7 years’ career experience, bringing with them a broad range of specialist skills and experience, ranging from biochemistry to psychology, journalism to engineering. What unites them is their brilliant personal qualities – resourcefulness, humility and resilience – and their passion for social action.
Finish the programme with a venture and you’ll get seed funding, business support, desk-space and client introductions to launch your business. Our alumni have launched 39 social ventures including:
Those that don’t start a venture join other fast-growing social startups like The Difference, BeyondMe, Switchback and Matr.
Unlike a Master’s degree or MBA, we have no tuition fee. This is a reimagination of higher education. Rather than spending a year in a lecture hall and paying £10,000 for the privilege, we challenge you to learn by doing – working on real social impact projects. Our partners pay us to be involved and that covers your tuition costs.
To widen access to the programme we have a small number of means-tested bursaries available, and offer additional support through TfL discounts and recommendations for flexible paid work and affordable accommodation.
We’re looking for people with a solid professional skillset and an entrepreneurial track record. This doesn’t mean you have to have started your own business before but you will need to demonstrate that you have a bias towards action. Drive, passion for social justice and a strong learning orientation are also essential. Typically, 1 in 10 applicants secure a place on the programme.