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Babbasa launches virtual City of Change events programme
Youth ambassadors in Bristol are seeking to tackle growing unemployment and bridge gaps with the launch of a new programme of online events.
Babbasa is challenging professionals from different fields in the city to create job and networking opportunities for young people from low-income and ethnically diverse backgrounds to achieve their career ambitions, many of which have been impacted by Covid-19.
For the first time, the St Paul’s-based social enterprise will be hosting a series of events online as part of a move that it hopes will further widen accessibility.
City of Change: Connections will run online from Wednesday, March 17 to Wednesday, April 7. Hosted by Babbasa’s spring 2021 youth ambassadors, each event will feature experts and mentors across engineering & technology, creative & media, business & finance, and social action & health, with guidance on how to break into these industries.
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Zoë Lynes, Babbasa’s challenge programme lead, says such events are more important now than ever.
“Young people have had a pretty rough year, and I know there is a wide feeling of stagnation and frustration among our youth. I feel like these events are fulfilling a pretty vital role of bringing some hope, inspiration, and practical advice in what has been a very difficult time.
“It will be the first time that I, or anyone at Babbasa, have done events in this way and I think it will open up new conversations about how we can make events accessible and meaningful, and what it means for us as a traditionally very Bristol-based organisation to hold events that could be accessible to a much wider audience geographically.”
Babbasa is moving its event series online to make them more accessible – photo by Bhagesh Sachania Photography
Youth ambassador Hanad Mohamed adds: “The event is important as it gives young people, who are the future, the opportunity and connections for them to be in the career and workplace they want. It matters as companies can get a head start on their future with these young people.”
In October last year, Babbasa published its Bridge to Equality report, which highlighted how the Covid-19 outbreak has exacerbated existing inequalities, increased feelings of isolation and had a detrimental impact on mental health.
It also revealed young people are feeling increasingly fearful about their future despite having high aspirations and the motivation to succeed.
Phil Hodgson, the associate director at the architecture firm Arup says there is a skills shortage in the industry, with many sectors competing to attract new talent.
He says: “I hope this event will attract some of those people to choose a career working in the built environment, addressing some of the world’s most significant changes such as climate change, carbon reduction and social equality.”
Find out more and register for the City of Change Connections events via www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/city-of-change-connections-tickets-141370391647
Read more: Bridging the gaps to equality in Bristol
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