Business Link and Levi Roots support Social Enterprise ‘BE NICE’

Levi Roots, the successful Dragons Den millionaire entrepreneur shows his support for the ‘BE NICE’ campaign at a recent Business Link event in Portsmouth.

Louise Allen, an image consultant based in Portsmouth, has just launched The ‘Be Nice’ campaign as her own social enterprise venture.
Louise said, ‘Business Link have been a great support to help me launch my business and I am now urging businesses to take this campaign into the workplace nationally.’
*According to research commissioned by the Dignity at Work Partnership, the cost of bullying for organisations in the UK in 2007 can be estimated at approximately £13.75billion.

Louise recently attended Business Link’s Be Inspired 09 event in Basingstoke and was invited to run a workshop, ‘Dressing for the workplace’. Before her workshop, she sat in the audience listening to Levi’s speech, her inspiration came and she took his word, when he said,’ If you believe in yourself, and have the passion, then seize the moment,‘ and that is how ‘Be Nice’ was born.
Business Link introduced Louise to Levi Roots, and Levi added, ‘I am delighted to support this campaign, children’s lives, their futures are damaged before they have begun because of bullying and negative behaviour.’

She recently supported a successful ‘No Bullying’ campaign at the University of Portsmouth (with the unions including the students union). Louise said, ‘We have had an amazing response, and the University is taking dignity and respect in the workplace very seriously. Louise said, ‘The Universities and Colleges’ union UCU are also helping me to produce a book, ‘The alternative staff handbook’ which covers bullying and harassment in the workplace.’

Negative behavior can affect a person either psychologically or physically, their property, reputation or social acceptance. This can be bullying, harassment, racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, or just negative behaviour.

School children are damaged physically and emotionally because of bullying, which affects their self-esteem, confidence, education and employment opportunities- their future and their lives.

Louise adds, ‘I would like to give every child and young person their very own book to support them. I believe that when children and adults are suffering from negative behaviour they seek private solace first.’

Louise is hoping to create a national campaign, whispers, conversations and belief in the words ‘BE NICE’. If people see and hear the words they can choose it as the positive option in their style of behaviour and get EVERYONE on board including businesses, education, local authorities and communities.

Louise hopes the campaign will help make the world a better place with happier staff, happier families, happier children who want to stay in education, a place where old people can feel safe.

If you would like to get involved please contact Louise louise@khrysalis.co.uk or visit: www.be-nice.co.uk If you have a great business idea and would like some help to get started contact Business Link on 0845 600 9 006.