Liberata is creating social value with the London Borough of Hounslow Virtual College
As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering social value to the local communities we serve, we teamed up with the London Borough of Hounslow Virtual College this year. The 2025 London Borough of Hounslow Dragons’ Den event, organised in association with the Social Enterprise Schools Programme, is a student-led initiative developed by the Social Enterprise Academy.
Empowering young people through social enterprise
Held at Hounslow House, the Dragons’ Den event brought together students from across the borough to pitch their innovative ideas to drive social impact in their communities. The programme offers young people, many of whom face additional challenges due to care experience or social vulnerabilities, an opportunity to develop enterprise skills, gain confidence, and make a difference in their neighbourhoods.
Liberata was proud to participate in the judging panel, with Andy Norris, our Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, joining colleagues from Hounslow Council and technology firm SAP. Together, the Dragons listened to various inspiring student-led pitches and assessed them on impact, innovation, and potential.
Andy said, “It was a privilege to be part of such an inspiring day packed full of innovative social enterprise ideas and ambition from an exceptional group of young people. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the London Borough of Hounslow, the Virtual College and the Social Enterprise Academy, helping to deliver sustainable social value with real impact within our local communities.”
Celebrating creativity and community spirit
Among all the standout teams, there were several award winners across different categories:
Community champions award
Hounslow Virtual College – for their proposal to create The Base, a local youth club offering a safe and inclusive space where young people can socialise, reduce isolation, and build stronger community ties.
Best environmental impact
Marjory Kinnon School – for their initiative Earth Bites, providing nutritious snacks themed around the survival challenges of various bird species, blending sustainability with education.
Spark award
Oaklands School – recognised for their imaginative jewellery-making business, which fused creativity with entrepreneurial flair.
Best business acumen
Rivers Academy (Male Team) – awarded for Focus Field, a concept that combined a study-focused server and video conferencing platform to help boost academic concentration.
Overall winner
Rivers Academy (Female Team) – with Sister Space, an innovative app designed to create a safe, confidential support network for female students to share advice and resources.
A broader impact: Supporting the virtual college
Beyond the Dragons’ Den event, our partnership with the London Borough of Hounslow Virtual College continues to flourish. Throughout 2025, we have been supporting a range of programmes that improve education and employment outcomes for young people with care experience, including:
- Functional Skills & GCSE support in Mathematics and English for young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
- Tailored learning pathways for Gifted Care Leavers, including access to alternative education
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) support for newly arrived or non-native English speakers
- Speak Out – a public speaking workshop series designed to boost communication confidence
- Sponsorship of the KICA – Special Education Excellence Award Ceremony, taking place later this year
These initiatives reflect our dedication to fulfilling contractual commitments and actively shaping brighter futures for vulnerable youth in Hounslow and beyond.
