A student at Fitzwilliam College, who applied to Cambridge after taking part in a GEEMA summer school, has set up her own group called the Cambridge University Social Entrepreneurs Community (CUSEC).

A programme coordinated by Cambridge Admissions Office, GEEMA is the Group for Encouraging Ethnic Minority Applications. Year-11 pupils from all over the UK will be taking part in this year's GEEMA summer school from August 5 to 10.

Carla Jones, who has switched from modern languages to geography, was inspired to create her own society after reading a book called Careers Un-ltd in the university vacation. “I didn't much money, so I read almost the entire book sitting beside a bookcase in Borders on Charing Cross Road,” she says.

“One of the messages that came through to me most directly was the advice to follow your heart and do what you love. So I decided to start a group for other students who were also interested in social entrepreneurship.”

Unofficially launched in February 2007, CUSEC now has an informal membership of just under 100 students and has already organised a number of talks.

One of Carla's inspirations is her mum, a single parent, who is also interested in community enterprises - such as community gardening. Carla was brought up in North London and went to Mount Carmel RC Technology College in Archway.

After GCSEs, she went to Richmond-upon-Thames College to be able to take her preferred combination of A levels, despite the fact that she had to spend three hours a day travelling. Throughout her time at school she worked in a health food shop. “Although it meant I had less time for school work, it gave me a valuable sense of independence,” she says.

In 2004 Carla took part in a summer school at Jesus College, organised by GEEMA.

She says: “It was a wonderful week and I met some really cool people from all over the UK. One of the things that I learnt about Cambridge, and encouraged me to apply, was the chance to have one-to-one supervisions. I liked the idea of the personal style of teaching.”

After attending the GEEMA summer school and still uncertain about Cambridge, Carla brought her mum to look round the town and Colleges.

She says: “Walking up the hill to Fitzwilliam, we got talking to a student from Fitz, and he took us into the College and showed us his room. If you're feeling a bit tentative, that kind of welcome makes a huge difference.”

This summer Carla has organised a three-week tour for ten members of CUSEC to visit innovative enterprises round the country. Stopping-off points include the Eden Project in Cornwall, Sussed Design in Brighton, Positive News in Shropshire, and Magic Breakfast in London.

Carla will be making a documentary film of the event, and is keen to hear from potential sponsors.

She says that being at Cambridge has helped open doors for her and she is happy to be working as a volunteer with access initiatives run by Fitzwilliam in conjunction with Emmanuel College and New Hall.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.