Welcome to our first Social Impact Report for Bee Inspired Eco Education Community Interest Company (CIC). This report sets out our activities over the past year and how our actions have made a positive difference to both our local communities & the environment.
The BIEE story so far
Bee Inspired Eco Education CIC (BIEE) was incorporated on 8 August 2024 as a result of a journey that started during the Covid lockdowns. Whilst having to shield at home with a vulnerable family, founder and director Kate Turner took great comfort and respite in the nature flourishing in her back garden.
Kate realised that the wider community were also benefiting greatly from their daily walks and re-connecting with nature. Although a difficult time for many, the sense of community spirit, cherishing green spaces and looking after one another, sparked the inspiration that is now Bee Inspired Eco Education.
Inspiring a generation of Planet Protectors
Our Community Interest Company aims to inspire a love of bees and other precious pollinators in our young people and their families and in turn equipping them with simple actions to improve our environments for all. Often our young people have a fear of insects, particularly bees and wasps and BIEE are on a mission to address this challenge.
We run talks, workshops and events in schools, community groups and shared spaces. Our aim is to instil a sense of awe and wonder in our natural world, with a hope that our future planet protectors will want to do everything in their power to protect and improve the environment and spaces around them.
A Remarkable First Year
Our first year exceeded expectations, thanks in large part to funding from Leeds Community Foundation and Climate Action Leeds in October 2024.
Kate Turner successfully gained a place on the School for Social Entrepreneurs’ Trading for Good Social Enterprise Start-up Programme which commenced in December 2024.
We also received great support from CATCH Leeds – allowing us to set up the BIEE Experience Apiary on their site. As well as a Miller Homes grant to help with equipment costs.
Climate Action Leeds
The Climate Action Leeds grant helped us to plan and facilitate 10 fully funded half day workshops to Leeds schools. Targeting those with high pupil premium in areas of deprivation. These workshops were all very successful and we received amazing feedback.
School for Social Entrepreneurs
The School for Social Entrepreneur’s programme has also not only provided director Kate Turner with invaluable insight and advice into running a CIC but has also provided match-trading grant, boosting our sales. This will be used for exploring new trading initiatives and developing Kate’s business skill-set.
We are extremely proud of our achievements this year and are particularly grateful to the incredible assistance from our volunteers, supporters and funders. We are buzzing with excitement to explore even more community engagement opportunities and create increased impact in the year ahead.
Please Bee Inspired to buzz along with us and read on for more details of precisely what we’ve been up to!
