Social enterprise seeking spark

SHAKE UP: Matt Browning appeals to the public to support his social enterprise aimed at tackling youth unemployment. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A new social enterprise aimed at tackling Rotorua's youth unemployment could be up and running by February if the public gets behind it.

Matt Browning has turned to crowd funding website sparkmypotential.co.nz to get the ball rolling on Shake Up, a social enterprise that will sell smoothies, soups and coffee out of a caravan, providing young people with the experience and practical knowledge needed to get into work.

He has received funding from Rotorua Lakes Council, Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust and the Rotary Club of Rotorua for the venture, but needs extra support before the project can begin, including start up wages for two young people for four weeks to the value of $4423.20, a coffee machine and a generator.

Mr Browning, who has been a youth mentor for the past 10 years, said there was no shortage of young people looking for work in Rotorua.

"I will look to find youth from local training organisations, the youth justice residence (Te Maioha o Parekarangi), the youth centre, and local schools.

"It's an opportunity to help create a platform for the rest of their life, and to create a positive way forward," he said.

He said the programme would nurture work and life skills, and involve mentoring. "They will be fitted to a mentor, be involved in a sports team and do a programme for budgeting.

"Ninety-nine per cent of male youth offenders have no positive male role model but 100 per cent of them did not do any physical activity on a regular basis," he said.

-For more information or to donate to Shake Up, visit sparkmypotential.co.nz/project/shakeup.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor or would like to get involved, email matt@shakeup.org.nz