Babbasa selected as GDS Bristol’s Charity for the Year
GDS Group, the global events, research, and technology services company, has crowned Babbasa as the recipient of its annual charity support for 2021.
Each year, GDS Group selects a charity to champion and focus fundraising efforts towards and this year we are proud to announce that Babbasa – the award-winning Bristol youth empowerment social enterprise, based in St Pauls – has been selected thanks to its continued efforts to uplift and nurture the talents of Bristol’s ethnic minority and low-income young people across inner city Bristol.
With GDS Bristol’s investment of £20,000 to kick off the partnership, there is significant scope and support for Babbasa’s growth, as well as its aim to help work ready young people find high quality employment opportunities. This will not just take the form of fundraising events throughout the year to create more funding for the charity but will also include offering work experience and mentoring for Babbasa’s young people.
This support could not have come at a better time as the impact of COVID-19 continues to have devastating effects on some of Bristol’s most vulnerable. Babbasa’s Bridge to Equality Report revealed that young people in Bristol anticipate less stable employment opportunities post-pandemic, echoing a national picture where 40% of young people see their future career prospects as ‘bleak’ with a further 14% experiencing fear. Many young people also reported that though their career goals did not change, they feel ‘stuck’ and ‘frustrated’ due to their inability to progress at this period.
Mike Farrell, Vice President Operations of GDS Group – “These are trying times for young people socially, mentally, and crucially, occupationally. Babbasa’s ongoing commitment to the next generation of young people entering the professional world of work is commendable and performs a vital service not just for the communities in Bristol but the wider business world as well”.
Poku Osei, Founder and CEO of Babbasa: “We are hugely grateful to GDS Group for their generous support as we continue to meet the needs of those young people adversely affected by the pandemic”.
Spencer Green, Chairman and Founder of GDS Group, “Covid-19 has detrimentally effected the employment opportunities being dealt to ethnic minority and low-income young professionals. Our charitable partnership with Babbasa is indicative of GDS’ support and desire to afford these individuals not just with the opportunities to work but to excel in the modern organization”.