Social Entrepreneurs Programme - applications now - Do you know an aspiring social entrepreneur who is looking for some help getting started?

Hello Laurence, Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme is open for applications and we need your help! Can you help us find 300 social entrepreneurs? With an understanding of the application process, experience of SSE’s unique delivery style and a first-hand experience of what it means to be a social entrepreneur - YOU can really help us reach the right people.  Who are we looking for? Do you know an aspiring social entrepreneur who is looking for some help getting started? They could be perfect for Start Up Do you know a successful social enterprise looking for support on their journey to scale? They could be perfect for Scale Up What to tell them As you will know, participants on the programme will receive a grant of £4,000 or £15,000, a business mentor and a fully funded place on a yearlong learning programme. Outcomes from the programme include: ü  The confidence to lead your social enterprise ü  A cracking network ü  The ability to win resources and support for your project The details Applications are open until 3pm on 3rd April 2014. Those interested in applying can head to the website to find out more or attend one of our taster sessions which are taking place during February and March at multiple locations across the country.  Nice to tweet you… Social media is a great way for us to reach new audiences and we’re asking fellows and students from the programme to tweet telling people why they should apply. We hope this will give the truest possible portrait of what to expect from the SSE experience (and it will also be quite fun to read all your replies!) Tweet it to us @SchSocEnt and we’ll retweet to our 15,000 followers Use the hashtag #Applyif to join the conversation and see what others have said Don’t forget the link: Please direct any interested applicants toyourideastartshere.co.uk where they can access full info on the programme To help the creative juices, here’s some example tweets @Schsocent is currently recruiting! #Applyif you want skills in money, growth, measuring impact & business planninghttp://www.yourideastartshere.co.uk  Your idea starts here! #Applyif you have an idea to improve your community & you want help getting started http://yourideastartshere.co.uk  @SchSocEnt is recruiting - #Applyif you want "the right environment for growth of your business and growth as a leader and entrepreneur" Now open for applications #Applyif you have an idea for a social enterprise and need support starting up http://yourideastartshere.co.uk  These are just some examples and we are sure that - with you being social entrepreneurs and all - you can be wildly creative with your 140 characters and come up with something new! You can of course tell people to get in touch with us if they have specific questions and we will be happy to help: T: 020 7089 9120 E: Applications@sse.org.uk Thank you in advance for your support! Best wishes,

"it is like tuning an instrument" - Flowform Design - generating rhythmical, swinging or pulsing, movements

Flowform Design ....

"it is like tuning an instrument"

Flowforms are vessels whose precisely sculpted shapes act sympathetically upon the water in them, generating rhythmical, swinging or pulsing, movements. This occurs even though the water enters in a steady flow. The process can be compared to the creation of a sound in a wind instrument. Development of these forms requires much experimentation – the shape of any one design of Flowform may take years to perfect, it is like tuning an instrument

Since the initial discovery of this phenomenon over thirty years ago, many designs have been created to give a very wide range of water movements. There are Flowforms with delicate water movements suitable for smaller enclosed spaces all the way up to very vigorous movements which can enliven large open landscapes. In some the movements are reminiscent of a heart-beat, in others of a slower ‘breathing’. There are designs which give a musical sound and others which produce a sound more like that of waves lapping on a shoreline. These qualities have proved especially valuable in therapeutic situations and school environments.

The benefits of Flowforms are by no means purely aesthetic. Because Flowforms have been designed with respect for the inherent nature of water, and with the wish to enhance its life-supporting capacity, they are now in use in the food processing industry, agriculture, horticulture and as an integral part of natural water cleaning systems.

References, ``Sensitive Chaos``, Theodor Schwenk,Rudolf Steiner Press,1999



``Flowforms``, John Wilkes, Floris Books, 2003.











Patterns on water as a demo during one of Simon's workshops on Flowform design


The key areas in which we work typically fall into four main categories:

Simon Charter

Educational & Play
You could say education starts to happen through play. From early learning years through to adulthood, people never lose their curiosity with nature and water. The ‘water workshops’ we stage lead to a deeper understanding of the connections between water and life. Children especially can relate to this by engaging in interactive water play environments – not prescribed or over-engineered experiences, but ones that are open to exploration, self-discovery and natural connectivity. We aim to make this accessible to everyone through imaginative design, use of natural materials and ongoing product development.

Therapy & Wellbeing
Over the years, we have been exploring the relationship between naturally moving water, its therapeutic qualities and how it can bring about a sense of wellbeing. During this time, we have worked with a number of medical practitioners, therapists (conventional and alternative), Feng Shui masters, mental health managers and heads of special needs educational establishments and communities, all of whom understand the value of healthy, naturally moving water and the environment it creates. Projects have included a sensory garden for a special needs school; water gardens in a number of mental health rehabilitation units; a water cascade for a healing garden within a young offenders’ institute; and water features for several memorial gardens.

Environment
Water plays a vital role in the organic and biodynamic approach to the life of a place. In combination with biological filters or reed-beds, Flowforms can improve the water quality of both sewage and non-sewage wastewater, for example from laundry and showers. Through effective circulation and oxygenation of the water, it can be used for irrigation or returned to open nature in a condition that adds quality to the environment. The management of liquid manure and farmyard run-off are also areas we can greatly improve; the reconditioning of stored rainwater is another. We also design and build natural waste water treatment systems for commercial and domestic settings and systems for stirring biodynamic preparations for farms and other agricultural settings.

More may be found at: http://flowforms.com/

Soil management seminar, 31 March 2014, Whitchurch-on-Thame, for growers and gardeners, those working on land, students and apprentice

31 March 2014 - Seminar event - Soil management - Tolhurst Organic, Whitchurch-on-Thames, Reading, RG8 7RD

http://www.organicresearchcentre.com/?i=events.php&event_id=271
Soil Management Seminar31 March 2014
Soil management seminar for growers and gardeners, those working on land, students and apprenticesVenue: Tolhurst Organic Market Garden, Hardwick Estate, Whitchurch-on-Thames, Reading, RG8 7RDFew people realise just how dynamic and wonderful the soil is beneath their feet. Get down to real basics, and back to earth, with this popular and stimulating seminar run by organic experts, Iain Tolhurst and Roger Hitchings. The seminar covers all aspects of soil, from its creation to its final use. It encourages the delegate to revere and cherish this precious resource.The seminar is a participative workshop, with trainees joining in, sharing their ideas and questions with their group; and working in groups as part of the day’s activities. At the end of the day you will go home with a much better understanding of what your soil is, how it works, and how you will be able to ensure it is still there for the future. We will be looking at soils, so if you bring a sample along, we may get to have an in-depth look at it.
Course cost (local and organic lunch included):Reduced price for eligible participants (see below) £50 + VATFull price for participants not-eligible for funding £100 + VATOn-line booking is available herePlease check information on discounts below before booking.You can also register directly and pay by cheque, BACS or credit card by contacting Gillian Woodward.
100% fee reduction available for young people from BerkshireIf you are 26 or under, resident in Berkshire and training (student/apprentice) to or starting a career in agriculture, you may qualify for one of our Gordon Palmer Memorial Trust bursaries. Please do NOT complete the on-line registration form, but e-mail Gillian Woodward with details of your address, age and circumstances to check eligiblity.
50% fee reduction for English producers and others obtaining a living from agriculture or agricultural productsEligibility includes producers and employees of producer groups, supply chain businesses, direct retailers, small consultancy businesses, but not multiple retailers, government departments, agencies or public bodies including universities. Participants must be living/working in England.To benefit please download, complete and sign the funding application form (243 kb pdf file) and send to Gillian Woodward at ORC. You can still register and pay on-line.This project has been supported through the Rural Development Programme for England, which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union