Notes from a Meeting

A park in Rotherhithe - 10th August 2026
ATTENDEES - John Wood and Les Moore
(late notice for this meeting meant that other members were unavailable).
TOPICS - informal discussion about recent developments and opportunities
(see previous meeting with Steering Group on 19th May).

REPORTED:

1. Our application to Hugo Burge Foundation (see compilation of our 15K submission) was one of 967 received this year. Their panel will meet in October or November 2026 to choose who will receive awards.

DISCUSSION

1. Les suggested offering short courses to NEETS school leavers (whose exam results are published soon)
2. John had been working on notes for Co-creative Team Training in considering this option. (It occurred to him that the ability to sustain a dependable creative team is potentially complicated and challenging. On the other hand this capability would be valuable in the workplace.
3. Les also suggested running a charity event to generate funds for this purpose
4. Will we need to invent incentivisation strategies (for disillusioned youngsters)?
   • E.g. 'where's the dopamine hit?' /
5. Agreed: to describing this project in terms that acknowledge NEETS Learners as COMMUNITY PIONEERS / INNOVATORS / TRANSLATORS (for communicating with subsequent intakes of young people).
   • If Les can persuade local communities to set up local Traders (+LETTS) schemes, would they support creative 'learning-doing' teams with food, in return for local regeneration projects?
6. We discussed the creation of appropriate currencies and/or neologisms that might subvert the weary assumptions about (financial) growth. When pitching to local Councils this rhetoric might be a way to reclaim aspects of 'growth' that are socially vital, yet invisible within the monetary system.
   • E.g. CARE currencies / FUN currencies / WELLBEING currencies

ACTIONS

1. Les to meet with the parent of a NEETS child to evaluate likely resistance & difficulties (financial / practical)
2. John to investigate/organise fundraising event asap
3. John to consult with 1 lecturer and 2 teachers on 11th August:
   • A) to find possible schools who would recruit students on our behalf (e.g. some who failed to achieve expected grades etc.)
   • B) to get feedback on the current plans. (see UPDATE)