Friday 30 October 2020

We are the World Blogfest # 42: Cracked It …

 

Josh Babarinde OBE, a local Eastbourne social entrepreneur, has recently been recognised, in the Queen’s Honours, for his work with disaffected young people in East London.

 

Josh Babarinde

Cracked It is an award winning technology business that has supported more than 200 ex-offenders away from crime and towards employment.

 


The Smartphone repair services supports these youngsters in developing their skills, enabling them to take responsibility, realise their potential and take their first steps towards the labour market.



 

Early Eastbourne
Josh was born and bred down here and during the lockdown he has launched a scheme to provide free video phones to Eastbourne’s care home residents … so they can stay connected with their families and see their doctors online.

 

He has also led the Liberal Democrats (one of our main political parties) to establish a campaign to telephone over 5,000 elderly residents in his home town (Eastbourne) during the lockdown.

 

Bourne stream
from which Eastbourne
gets its town name


We are lucky to have such a local achiever in these times … his focus has always been to ‘roll up his sleeves’ to achieve the best for his community and small business enterprises he has established in East London, and here in Eastbourne.

 




Covid has changed the world - and we must change with it. That’s why we’re devoting all of our resources to incubating new projects to seed systemic change beyond the lifetime of Cracked It.

 

Cracked Its' Values:

Tough Love    Empowerment    Empathy

 




We are the World Blogfest

In Darkness, Be Light

 

Cracked It: London’s best iphone fixers …

Shackleton Foundation – working with Josh Babarinde


Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories


36 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Local heroes are the best! Thanks for sharing yours with us. May Josh and his concepts grow ever more. YAM xx

Janie Junebug said...

I love learning about people who try to do good. You have a fine example for us.

Love,
Janie

Susan Scott said...

You cracked it for this #WATWB post Hilary. I mean you always do. I love the campaign that 5000 senior residents in Eastbourne during lockdown are phoned, that contact is so essential. And his providing free video phones. Truly Josh Babarinde is an inspiring man. Thank you!

Annalisa Crawford said...

A very well-deserved OBE for Josh. This year has highlighted all the good which comes from the community. A small silver lining.

Joanne said...

I like the positive ideas and actions that have come out of the whole lockdown experience. So much has been horrible, that it's easy to overlook human resourcefulness and kindness. Your posts are enlightening.

Elephant's Child said...

All praise to Josh. And to all the Joshes of the world.
I love that they see a problem and wade in to fix it.

H. R. Sinclair said...

That is a wonderful. I love hearing these kind of things.

Computer Tutor said...

I love that someone actually helps others with their promises. So often, that isn't the case.

Nick Wilford said...

Josh sounds like a real force for good. If only there were more like him.

Mary J Melange said...

Josh is a wonderful, caring soul. Rather than cast aside ex-offenders, he works to keep them employed and residing in the community. He's also doing great work with phone calls to the elderly who truly need that kind of social interaction. Thanks for bringing Josh to the attention of WATWB.

Liz A. said...

Very cool.

Botanist said...

Inspiring story, Hilary.

Hels said...

Queen's honours usually go to the financially successful and the famous. Josh is a local boy who is making a difference..he deserves recognition.

Mike Goad said...

Interesting achiever in unfortunately interesting times!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Yam – I agree local heroes are the best – he seems to always be thinking forward and helping others who are prepared to help themselves …

@ Janie – yes I’d read about him before and was on my radar – but he hit the headlines with his OBE … so he needed to be a # WATWB hero …

@ Susan – yes ‘Cracked It’ for this #WATWB … thank you – I try and find something different to write about. I must find out more about his video phone donations, as too the telephoning elderly residents in this area … he is inspirational – definitely …

@ Annalisa – I agree a well-deserved OBE … we are hearing about our local good Samaritans … as you say a silver lining definitely …

@ Joanne – thank you … he’s obviously talented, as well as being interested in helping others … love the phrase human resourcefulness with kindness … Josh definitely inspires …

@ EC – I so agree – those people who go above and beyond what’s necessary – to bring extra joy and help to others. Excellent expression – seeing the problem and then wading in to fix it …

@ Holly – thank you … the ideas definitely inspire us all …

@ Jacqui – it’s wonderful that he’s helping youngsters build a positive life – by giving them something positive to achieve …

@ Nick – yes – he certainly has achieved a great deal – always with others in mind …

@ Mary – yes … he’s really taken on board the help of others … particularly those who are disaffected and who need a positive role model in their lives, giving them something to do that’s valuable, which then helps others.

What he’s done for our residents down here seems extraordinary and so right for these times. Pleasure – he’s been on my radar for a #WATWB post for a while …

@ Liz – thank you …

@ Ian – it is isn’t it … I loved finding out about him and his work …

@ Hels – those are perhaps the people the papers and tv pick up … there’s always lots of others who get rewards … all for charitable causes …

@ Mike – thank you … there are achievers in these times - we need them and their forward thinking ideas …

Thanks to you all … good to see you on this Blue Moon day … take care and stay safe - Hilary

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I have two friends named Josh, both fine fellows, so perhaps there is something in a name! You do have a knack, Hilary, for finding the good in the world and bringing it to our attention. You would obviously do very poorly as the director of news and current affairs for a television station for you have not learned that only strife, misery and disaster are newsworthy. Bravo for Josh, bravo for all the Joshes of the world, and especially Bravo for Hilary, the Good News reporter! Not only do we need more Joshes, we need more Hilarys.

Deborah Weber said...

What a great inspiring story Hilary - a perfect #WATWB contribution. I love celebrating local wayshowers - kudos to Josh.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

In the midst of all the miseries of this year, it's always heartening to hear uplifting stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things to "brighten the corner where they are." (from an old hymn) Having loved ones in hospitals or nursing homes and not being able to visit with them is soooo hard for everyone involved. Those video calls are literally a life line. God bless Josh for all the good he's been doing.

Take care, Hilary, and have a super weekend. Cheers!

Keith's Ramblings said...

Isn't it great when something positive emerges from this quagmire of negativity? Truly inspirational. Thanks for drawing our attention to it Hilary.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

He saw several needs and filled them.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ David – thank you so much … I do try and find interesting stories that perhaps others won’t have come across … while giving us all something to think about.

Oh I could easily do the negative news too – but I choose not to! I’ve altered my own approach to thinking positive and not falling into the negative trap – so easy for so many to gripe and groan.

Thanks – Josh Babarinde has the right approach to life – that’s what I love about stories like him …and yes Joshua is good name … Hilary’s pretty good too … in the hilarious sense! Really appreciate the comment.

@ Deborah – yes I was inspired when I first read about Josh a year or so ago … then knew I had to write him up for this month’s #WATWB post …

@ Susan – it’s great isn’t … we are in miserable times – we’re about to go into lockdown – lovely sounding hymn which ‘brightens the corner where they are’ …

I’m so grateful my mother died back in 2012 as I’d be horrified if she was in hospital/nursing home now – and don’t know what I’d do. It must be so challenging for families with relatives in those positions … so I’m sure the phone calls and video calls will be a great help and making an enormous difference …

@ Keith – it is just wonderful to see so many positive stories arising out of the misery this pandemic is causing most people in the world.

@ Diane – yes he stepped down to help those more disadvantaged than himself to rise up and develop their skills … and thus have a more positive life.

Thanks so much to you all – these good news stories are just lovely to find … take care and look after yourselves – and Happy Halloween?! Cheers Hilary

Vallypee said...

Good for him, Hilary. It's lovely to read about such a great initiative! Hoping you're well and keeping busy despite the current conditions!

Anabel Marsh said...

Inspiring young man.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Inspiring is the word indeed for this post

Mason Canyon said...

A very inspiring man and great news to hear.

DMS said...

Very inspirational! He sounds like an amazing person! :) Thanks for sharing this hopeful story with us.
~Jess

D.G. Kaye said...

What a beautiful person. The world could certainly use more like Josh. I hope it catches on like fire. Hugs and be safe. xx

retirementreflections said...

Hi, Hilary - I love how people like Josh singlehandedly stand up and make a positive difference (especially in such difficult times). Jost is very inspirational!

Rhodesia said...

What a star and I am so glad his work has been recognised. It has been a difficult year and I am sure, so many people appreciate the help that people like this have made. Well done Josh.

We are back in full lockdown yet again and cannot walk out the door without a form to show the police.

Have a good week and stay safe, Diane

BWitzenhausen said...

What a great program Josh has established. It's horrible being under lockdown to start with and without the ability to interact with people it's all the more difficult, this is simply a brilliant idea! Hope it catches on in other places too! Thanks so much for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB. Hope you have a fantastic week. Stay safe and be well! :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Val – yay … good to see you – how are you?! Yes – I was really impressed with how Josh has been helping others. All well here – though life is chaotic … I’m fine and coping which to me is the main thing.

@ Anabel – yes he certainly seems to be full of inspiration and enthusisasm …

@ Jo-Anne – you’re right … inspiring it is …

@ Mason – the good news is he’s helping so many, and encouraging them to help others …

@ Jess – yes a true mentor to those who reach out to him and his projects … he’ll help them, so they can move on and help others …

@ Debby – isn’t he? … always enthusiastic for helping others and adapting his present concepts so they can move forward …

@ Donna – yes … exactly as you say – he’s always pushed the boundaries to have that positive difference for others … and now for those in care …

@ Diane – he is a star isn’t he – which has been acknowledged. We’ve just gone into lockdown … with a muddled approached – as usual, sadly.

I saw you were in full lockdown – I’m glad I don’t have to get a police document to go out though … must be so very difficult for people living in apartments …

@ Belinda – good to see you. I’m so glad my mother had died back in 2012 – as I’d hate to have her alive in these present conditions: I don’t know what I’d do – I feel for all those needing help and their relatives.

Josh must be an excellent communicator and mentor to those young technicians and now with his new ideas. He’s a huge asset with the work he’s doing.

Thanks to you all for visiting and supporting … we really get to hear some wonderful positive stories for our #WATWB community … take care and all the best – Hilary

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Josh sounds pretty incredible. Makes my heart feel warm knowing he cares enough to help. What an inspiration. Thanks, Hilary, for sharing. I love these feel-good-posts.

Sandra Cox said...

Good on Josh. That is wonderful to hear.
YOU take special care, Hil.

Denise Covey said...

Hilary, this is very heartwarming. Not everything bad about Covid.
You keep safe!

cleemckenzie said...

This lockdown has produced some excellent and creative ways to help others. Thanks for posting these. They made me hopeful.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Joylene - Josh does sound a great entrepreneur and helper of others ... as you say. I agree - these feel good posts are really excellent to read about ... thanks for coming over ...

@ Sandra - great to see you again ..

@ Denise - thanks - I know not everything relates to Covid ... but young men with challenges ... I'll keep safe - thank you!

@ Lee - yes ... we've had some extraordinary developments with new entrepreneurial ideas; Josh has been building this business for a few years ... he's really helped quite a few challenging young people - giving them something to be proud of ...

All the best to you all ... take care - and let's be peaceful at this time - Hilary