Evah's Spirit launches this Friday

A mature student from the University of Wolverhampton is officially launching her business on Friday with a new venture for students and volunteers to visit South Africa.

Sue Allen, who studies within the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, has launched Evah’s Spirit Community Interest Company (CIC), which aims to inspire people to get involved with helping others.

Evah’s Spirit is also launching a collaboration with training provider Qube Learning to offer an incredible opportunity for young people to serve as volunteers within rural and underprivileged communities in South Africa.

For more information about the project, and to express and interest in joining up, visit the special event from 1pm-3pm on Friday (June 8th), in the Lecture Theatre in the Sister Dora Building at the Walsall campus (Click here to book).

Sue is appreciative of the support received from the University of Wolverhampton’s SPEED initiative which has helped her set up her new business.

The vision for Evah’s Spirit first originated during a visit to South Africa almost a decade ago.

“I met Evah, a beautiful young woman born into a loving family living in one of the most impoverished regions of South Africa,” Sue explains.

“Evah suffers from cerebral palsy, and her challenges are huge given the environment in which she lives.

“Despite this, she embodies immense spirit and maintains the broadest of smiles and a wonderful personality.

“Evah’s Spirit believes that every child should be given an opportunity to fulfil their innate potential and have the same life chances regardless of their parents’ means or their circumstances.

“We offer a bespoke experience in partnership with a non-profit organisation in Africa – Nourish NPO - for young people from marginalised communities in the UK to serve as volunteers.

“This project, working with Qube Learning, will see the young people assisting with local projects within rural and underprivileged communities in South Africa.

“The experience provides an opportunity to work side by side with their peers and to affect change in their lives, and the lives of others and build their confidence and self-esteem.

“This is all in line with our aims that everyone is afforded limitless opportunities to live a rich, meaningful and flourishing life, which embodies equality and inclusion.”

As a mature student, Sue is studying at University for the first time, and is moving into her final year of a degree in Family & Community Studies.

She has also made use of the SPEED project led by the University of Wolverhampton’s Enterprise Department, which offers individuals support packages to start up their own businesses (Click here for information).

SPEED is part of the Enterprise Action project and is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

“I am deeply grateful for the continued support that I have received during my time at University, especially from my personal tutor Lynn Richards,” adds Sue.

“Since the beginning of the year I have been supported by SPEED in my endeavour to build this long held vision that is Evah's Spirit,” adds Sue.

“The ongoing support that I receive from my business consultant Alison Campbell (SPEED) has been instrumental in the progress the vision has achieved.

“The daily support that I receive from the entire team at Speed has been wonderful, especially Stuart Holmes, who has spurred me on during some challenging days.

“I was also nominated as one of only two businesses nominated by the University to enter the Santander University Entrepreneurship awards this year.”

Sue is also seeking funding and sponsorship to try and help Evah’s Spirit reach more young people and to sustain the project for the future. People can donate here or, for more details, visit the website or email info@evahsspirit.com