The University of Westminster has joined forces with The Rebel School and Netcompany to host community outreach activities in Glasgow and London. The week-long workshops provided community members with essential skills to set up their own businesses.
The week-long workshops focused on How to Set Up Your Business and provided a variety of sessions delivered by The Rebel School with support from University of Westminster and Netcompany colleagues who offered expertise on how to succeed as an entrepreneur. Through the partnership of a university, an NGO and a corporate business, the workshops offered participants an invaluable range of knowledge and practical skills to support their entrepreneurial journeys.
As part of Westminster’s community programme partnership with The Rebel School and Netcompany, these workshops were specifically designed to engage and support local people who may have faced barriers to setting up their own businesses. This initiative reflects the University’s long-standing commitment to accessible education as the first polytechnic in London, established 180 years ago to educate the city’s working people, and its current Being Westminster 2022-2029 strategic focus on equality, diversity and inclusion.
The Rebel School provides transformative, free-to-access self-development and entrepreneurship education to empower disadvantaged communities. By delivering training and mentorship, Rebel empowers people to turn ideas into income without needing loans or traditional business plans and provides more than just knowledge; Rebel graduates gain confidence, networks and the self-belief to succeed.
Netcompany is a leading pan-European end-to-end IT consultancy that enables the public and private sectors to accelerate the pace of responsible digitalisation, supporting the development of stronger, sustainable societies for future generations. In the UK, Netcompany's social value initiatives include supporting STEM-related competitions and programmes for school-aged children such as the Smart Cities Challenge and Girl Tech events.
About the event Rebel Business School founder Alan Donegan said: “Being here today at the event with the University of Westminster and Netcompany and meeting 50 people starting small businesses, disrupting industries and taking action is so inspiring. There is incredible latent entrepreneurial talent in the local community and our partnership has allowed us to reach the people that need it the most and unlock their drive and talent. From fashion and Marketing to Copywriting and all the way to treating kids’ skin problems, this hugely diverse group are tackling real problems from an entrepreneurial standpoint. We are so excited to be working with Westminster to change the way entrepreneurship is taught and unlocking communities to build businesses from profit not debt.”
Richard Davies, Country Managing Partner for Netcompany, added: “At Netcompany, we believe that real change happens when people are given the chance to unlock their own potential. Continuing our work with the University of Westminster and Rebel School, we’re helping women from marginalised backgrounds take the first steps in building their own businesses, often against the odds. It’s hugely inspiring to witness their determination, and I’m proud that our partnership is helping to open doors and create opportunities.”
About the partnership Simay Sali Sevik, Development Manager at the University of Westminster, said: “We are proud to collaborate with Rebel Business School and Netcompany to deliver vital digital upskilling and entrepreneurship training to our local communities. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to widening access, tackling inequality and creating opportunities for all. It was amazing to see participants walking away with renewed confidence and the inspiration to make lasting change — for themselves and for their communities.”
This partnership contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
To find out how individuals and organisations can collaborate with the University, contact Westminster’s Development Team.
