I am actually a graduate in the school of social entrepreneurs (I know the title sounds a little pompus, but I am) I actually won an competition in 2009 and got to meet our previous...previous, prime minister, Gordon Brown, on social entrepreneur day.
There was six of us (initially strangers) in an 'apprentice' style team and we had to spend three days developing a social enterprise business which we did. (It actually gave me the bug to build my own business) It was a little like a time bank, where people swapped skills in the area. It had a lot more frills than that, but we won them over with a little song on the end. Probably sounded like a cats chorus, but they appeared to enjoy it!
This is me outside 10 Downing street.
Inside number 10 is actually very cosy. Imagine all the florals and grand paintings you would see in rich grandparents house and that's how it looked. It looked very homely, and very normal. On the back garden there was a trampoline. I am sure Mr Brown had many a fine hour on that.
As you walk in to the building you are scanned checked and vetted before you can go any further. Of course, that is expected.
On the day I was given sparkling champagne and joined my team members, before listening to the prime ministers speech. I even met another social entrepreneur who ironically went to the same primary school as I did.
I listened to his speech with the slight hazy feeling that you get from drinking champagne to quick.
It was a great day, I actually got to have a quick chat with Mr Brown, then headed off to see some more of London!
