About Open Platform
What is Open Platform?
Why are we doing it?
Who is it for?
What are the benefits?
Financial Arrangements
Joining Open Platform
Looking for work which matters? Have an idea to develop?
Open Platform will help you get there.
The Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems develops and
promotes alternative ways of thinking and acting to provide
leadership for the future. Open Platform is a program which brings
together individuals and business where participants develop future
career paths which have purpose and relevance and which supports businesses to be the organizational leaders of the future. The Institute has the experience, the reputation and the networks to
deliver the education, practical experience and relationship
management to support the development of this leadership
capacity.
We have reached a point where the many imbalances of Western
society have become more apparent than ever before: economies
defined solely by profit, work which seems all too often pointless,
total disrespect for our environment and growing social breakdown.
This imbalance is now being experienced by many in the form of job loss, financial insecurity, despair and purposelessness.
At such times we believe that people are more motivated to change
when they are supported in their endeavours. With this in mind
Open Platform has developed a program of education, practical
experience, coaching and mentoring for those who wish to lead
change.
Open Platform will be of interest if you:
- Are a student or graduate making decisions about the future direction of your career.
- Are setting up or have an idea to set up a social business.
- Are retired.
- Are at a crossroads in your life and looking for direction or ready to develop a new direction
- Are unemployed and looking for work
Open Platform offers:
- A community of individuals and organisations committed to leadership of alternative ways of living and working. Firstly, the Schumacher Circle, to which the Institute belongs, comprises organisations which are leaders in the development of sustainable living: New Economics Foundation, Centre for Alternative Technology, The Schumacher Society, Schumacher College, Jevika Trust, The Converging World, Soil Association and Practical Action. Secondly, the Institute is housed on the 3rd floor of the iconic Arnolfini Building, situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Bristol which it shares with the Arnolfini Institute, Forum for the Future, Sustrans and The Hub, each of which are leading sustainability practitioners. Thirdly, the Institute has a wide range of influence and connections across the South West.
- Attendance at seminars, training and events including a program of workshops which facilitate the learning of sustainable practices such as ecological economics, sustainable education, action research, systems thinking and interdisciplinarity.
- Outplacement services with distinct ‘greenness'.
- A community of peers for mutual support as ideas are exchanged, resources and stories are shared.
- Desk space, internet access and IT support.
- A range of projects concerned with sustainability to gain experience, to which the education program will be targeted and which range from volunteering to business and third sector secondment.
We have developed a range of flexible financial options which will be negotiated individually and which will reflect the trust and relationship-based values of the Institute. Everyone who joins us will, however, have to commit a monthly sum to the Schumacher Open Platform fund. This can be done through completing the standing order form. A covering letter will also be available shortly for more information about this. The benefit of this is also that we stay in touch with you for ongoing support at a potentially very busy time of your life through membership of this Fund.
Financial options include:
- Support for new business development and social enterprise idea generation, market research and concept development
- Professional advice
- Coaching and mentoring to suit individual needs
You will be facilitated by others who have experienced and continue
to work with change. In this way the advice and guidance offered
along the way derives from real experience and the integrity that
offers.
A package may be negotiated with you and several means of payment are available which include the following:
- Employer bursaries
- Business sponsorship
- Paying forward: you repay over an appropriate period of time, once you have launched your new career
- Services in kind
Once you have contacted us, we arrange for a free personal
assessment to answer your questions and for us to ensure
Open Platform meets your needs. Subject to this we begin the
process of:
- Linking you with you a suitable mentor who may assist you with such matters as setting personal goals, priorities, financial counseling, identifying appropriate further education, facilitate suitable personal contacts
- Deciding how your practical experience will take place. There is a list of current projects here.
- Discuss financial arrangements
- Notify you of all pending events, workshops and conferences.
For further information please contact us.