Challenges Home

Summary: 

Introduction 

The challenges we look to address are aspects of society with a considerable and pressing need. Society faces many difficulties yet our challenges highlight opportunities - many of which have received ongoing attention from policy makers, government or other bodies that have the potential for large-scale progress through innovation. We seek to develop innovative and enterprising organisations or initiatives to address these issues. We are also looking to the future, scanning the horizon for pressing needs and innovative solutions to address them. Our Thoughts in Progress  highlight some of this thinking in development.

Climate Change        

The task of combating climate change is widely regarded as one of the greatest challenges facing the world. With increased media attention and concerted consumer activism there is both a demand and a need for new organisations to tackle this problem in innovative ways.

Hard to Employ        

Recent positive employment figures indicate an encouraging UK situation, yet this masks the significant numbers of people still failing to secure jobs. Even for those in work, many of the jobs are in poorly paid low-skilled occupations and fail to provide individuals with the opportunities available to the rest of our society.

Health & Long Term Conditions        

Long-term conditions ranging from diabetes to asthma are placing an even greater demand on the NHS at the same time as individuals in society increasingly crave control and information surrounding their care. This generates an environment enthusiastic to innovate, towards the realisation of large-scale change.

Innovation and Justice        

The financial cost of crime is enormous - the Home Office puts this at nearly £60billion a year. Innovation is required within the criminal justice system as there is a widely held view clearly supported by evidence that current models are under-performing, failing or have ceased to be adequate.

Marginalised Groups        

The UK is an increasingly diverse and multi-cultural country, yet there are increasingly divisions and fractions within this society - resulting in the marginalisation of some groups. These groups have often become marginalised for starkly different reasons yet it is fundamental for the prosperity, peace and security of our communities that their needs be addressed and they be able to re-integrate within their local communities.

Practical Learning        

Despite the importance society places on education, many individuals in our society lack the skills required of the 21st century. There is an ever expanding scope to acquire such skills through innovative approaches - benefiting society and themselves. Practical learning or ‘learning by doing’ can be a vital approach in achieving this – connecting motivated learners with innovative approaches through which their skills can be enhanced.