Social enterprise Babbasa to expand beyond Bristol

Babbasa claims to have helped around 3,000 young people from under-represented backgrounds in Bristol

A social enterprise company set up to support young people from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds is to expand.

Babbasa claims to have helped more than 3,000 young people from about 70 cultural groups in Bristol progress their chosen career.

CEO Poku Osei said he now wants to unlock potential in other cities.

A feasibility study will take place in the New Year to see which cities would be the most suitable.

"We could be in 10 cities, but we don't have that much of resources", said Mr Osei.

Babbasa is an ancient African word, which translates as ordinary citizens or agencies coming together to support those in need.

The social enterprise company helps young people by coaching them to prepare for work and by creating opportunities with employers.

Jeril Laiju said Babbasa helped him with his professional development, but also with his values as a person.

Jeril Laiju moved to Bristol from India as a child, and after completing a degree in accounting and finance, he was looking for that first step on the career ladder.

He joined the Challenge Programme at Babbasa and was encouraged to attend an Insight Day at the tax specialist firm Forrest Brown, who invited him to an assessment day.

Mr Laiju is now one of their tax associates and is training to be a chartered accountant.

He said: "Babbasa has been very, very helpful. Not just with my professional development, but also the values I have as a person."

Babbasa had a "supportive energy" he didn't get elsewhere, he added.

"Without them, it would have been difficult to see where I'm going," he said.

Sarah Rogers from Forrest Brown said Babbasa has helped the company access a diverse talent pool

More than 170 employers in Bristol from a wide range of industries are now working with Babbasa.

Sarah Rogers, a Talent Acquisition Manager at Forrest Brown, said "Babbasa is a really supportive organisation. They are really creative about solutions they can offer to employers.

"It's not just about finding new recruits. They offer skills sessions and sessions around diversity and inclusion."

Babbasa's alumni have entered a wide range of careers from the legal profession to the TV entertainment industry.

One has set up his own clothing brand. Another is now a researcher on TV show Eastenders.

In June 2020, Babbasa won the Queen's Award for Enterprise, which recognises outstanding achievement in UK businesses.

Poku Osei also won the Cambridge Social Innovation Prize in July, which celebrates exceptional social entrepreneurs in creating social change through business.

He is now stepping down as CEO of Babbasa in Bristol to take on the role as Founding Director, so he can focus on expanding the model across the globe.

My Osei said: "We've been in Bristol tinkering with our model for 10 years, and I believe we understand our model. We know it works.

"The question now is are there other parts of the UK that can do with this model? And indeed other parts of the world that can do with this model?

"The answer is yes. And if the answer is yes, I think we have a responsibility to explore that".

A feasibility study will be carried out in 2024 to determine the next two cities Babbasa will work in.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [e-mail]