We have engaged with over 40 individuals with this project. The Social Lab enquiry team comprises of 11 members this includes representatives of 7 youth organisations and 4 young activists, all of whom are London based. Engaging Black led voluntary and community organisations has been challenging as many of the organisations are overwhelmed with demands for their services and are unable to fully commit to attending all sessions. The Roundtable events that are a part of this project allow us to engage with 30 practitioners beside enquiry team members, who wanted to share their learnings and be apart of the wider process.
Roundtable 1 ‘What is the current state of play surrounding unemployment of Black and Minoritised young people?’, 3rd November 2022 – This event kicked off the process, it brought together practitioners and facilitated a space for them to discuss their practice and learnings. This Roundtable was attended by members of the social lab enquiry team as well as other 15 practitioners who were unable to commit to being a part of the enquiry team but still wanted to share their learnings and be a part of the wider
1st 2-Day Lab Session, 24th & 25th October 2022 – This was the first time that the social lab enquiry team came together. They had the space to explore their leadership journeys, and build connections and they began exploring points of leverage they have within the system of employability
2nd 2-Day Lab Session, 23rd & 24th March 2023 – This was the second time that the social lab enquiry team came together. They began by delving into their own experiences and the way in which their intersectional identities impacted their employement/unemployment journeys.
Learning Journey with Access UK, 11th May 2023 – The social lab enquiry team visited Black Led social enterprise which offers information, advice and guidance support to improve outcomes for Black and Racially Minoritised young people in Education, Employment and Enterprise.
Roundtable 2 ‘What is work in 2023?’, 6th June 2023 – This event explored the evolving landscape of ‘work’ and what this means for a Black and or Racially Minoritised young person in 2023, through the use of world cafe. This Roundtable was attended by members of the social lab enquiry team as well as 20 other practitioners who were unable to commit to being a part of the enquiry team but still wanted to share their learnings and be a part of the wider process.
3rd 2-Day Lab Session, June 2023 - This was the second time that the social lab enquiry team came together. They began exploring the needs of young people in 2023 and the systems that need to be created to combat Black and Racially Minoritised people being unheard, underrepresented and lacking access/opportunities.
