Carole Gallant – Social Enterprise Creator, Halesowen

What do you do?

I run a social enterprise called Create A Future, based at the University of Birmingham. We’re completely independent of the university and get no government funding from anyone. We’re about helping people to develop their personal skills to enable them to survive and thrive in the 21st century.

How did you get into the industry?

I’m a teacher by training, who has realised that for young people to “survive and thrive” they have to develop a set of personal skills that we don’t currently teach in our schools. I’ve been working in this area for the last 15 years and the company has survived despite having all its government funding removed.

Describe your typical working day:

I get into the office around 9.30am (I’m not an early starter!) and spend more time than I’d like on email. Then I can be doing anything from working with young people in schools, one-to-one coaching, putting together a learning programme, writing bids for funding (would love to find someone to help me with that one!), writing text for websites… the list goes on!

What do you love most about your job?

That no two days are the same. I can decide what I need to do. I love seeing people “wake up” and realise they have the ability to achieve inside of them.

Have there been any particular highlights so far?

Too many to mention! I love it when someone overcomes a particular obstacle and makes a breakthrough. Last year’s highlight was a young lady with special needs who beat off pupils from the private sector to win one of the regional competition prizes and she’s going to London next week to represent the West Midlands with her project. Her Mum said it was the best day she’d ever had – can’t get better than that!

Any downsides?

We’re the West Midlands’ best kept secret because I don’t have the time to do the promotional and networking stuff!

Contact:

Carole runs Create A Future and can be contacted on (0121) 4144318 or by email at carole@createafuture.co.uk.