The founder of Babbasa, the Bristol social enterprise transforming the lives of young people from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds, has spoken of his immense pride at its success as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Poku Osei launched the organisation in 2013 in response to the growing gap in the economic achievement of young people from some of Bristol’s most diverse and disadvantaged inner-city communities. 
Taking its name from an ancient West African word that means ordinary citizens or agencies coming together to act as a support bridge for those in need, Poku’s aim was to help 16 to 25-year-olds fulfil their potential in education, employment or in enterprise.
Since then it has supported more than 4,000 individuals, spanning more than 60 cultural groups, providing mentoring, skills training and recruitment support to successfully advance their professional ambitions through its network of over 500 cross-industry organisations.
Poku, who has a background in business and careers advice, said: “It fills me with immense pride to celebrate a decade of Babbasa.
“When I started back in 2013 it was with a vision to help create a world where young people living in areas of disadvantage are inspired and able to realise their employment and enterprise ambitions – irrespective of where they live, their nationality, ethnicity, gender, race, sexuality or faith.
“10 years on I am proud to see the thousands of people we have been able to help and how so many of them have developed the skills and confidence to pursue a professional future in roles and industries that interest them.”
Ahead of the 10th anniversary, St Pauls-based Babbasa launched its OurCity203O campaign with the target of supporting all the Bristol’s young people from low-income households secure a median salary role by 2030.
It also recently launched a partnership with Bristol Creative Industries to create a city-wide internship programme. It has been designed to help 18 to 24-year-olds from underrepresented backgrounds into paid roles within the creative sector.
The first cohort of 14 has now started their roles in a number of the city’s leading creative businesses.
In addition, Babbasa’s offer has evolved to include recruitment and inclusion services, focused on supporting organisations to diversify their workforce and create inclusive working environments. As a result, it is now one of the UK’s leading social mobility agencies.
Poku added: “While I am proud of the work the incredible the team and our extended network does every single day. But there is still much more to be done.
“The OurCity2030 campaign will be our core focus for the next 10 years as we aim to lift individuals out of poverty, increase representation at the workplace and create new generation of role models for society.
“It will act as a catalyst for Bristol to become a world class model city for inclusive growth.”
To commemorate its 10th anniversary, Babbasa is this evening hosting an event as part of St Pauls Carnival fringe calendar to celebrate its alumni and showcase some the amazing success stories from the last decade.
For more information, click here
Pictured: Babbasa founder Poku Osei, holding a cake, with the Babbasa team 
