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Magic Bus founder's new venture lets you explore your interests with expert-led sessions and make a difference, too

Former National Ultimate Frisbee player Samarth Shetty guides participants at Juhu beach

It is perhaps idealistic to think of changing the world while doing something you love. But it's not impossible. In the late '90s, British expat Matthew Spacie, the then chief operating officer of Cox and Kings, wanted to understand how he could engage with a non-profit. He started talking to various charities and found it difficult to have his skill sets and passions fit into what they expected of him. Having played rugby at Bombay Gymkhana and observed street children watching the game with interest, Spacie started informally coaching them. This eventually led to the formation of Magic Bus in 1999, an NGO that equips children in the age group of 12 to 18 to grow up and move out of poverty. But it also proves to be the genesis of his latest venture called Socialstar.

"Over the years the window for access and opportunity for ordinary Indians to engage [with the underprivileged] hasn't changed... While we live in a polarised society where there is no discourse, there is still this intrinsic desire to help," he says, when we meet him at his office in Khar. In contrast to the traditional model of volunteering which carries a sacrificial element to it, Socialstar is a lot like buying a gym membership, or any subscription of your liking — your interest is crucial to the concept.

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Former National Ultimate Frisbee player Samarth Shetty guides participants at Juhu beach

Every weekend, the organisation puts out a series of lifestyle activities via expert-led sessions that you would like to enroll in anyway. This weekend, for instance, you can choose to attend a zumba class or participate in a phone filmmaking workshop. You also pay around the same amount you would at any other zumba class — say, R600 — and when you sign up, you are also sponsoring the same experience for a young person from a low-income community who gets to do the activity with you. Instructors include composer Ashutosh Pathak, photographer Ashima Narain and actor Taher Shabbir, some who have agreed to come on board pro bono, and have lent their studios. But to build a sustainable model with quality trainers, Spacie states that payment is crucial. "As we get bigger, once you're a certified instructor, you could post activities yourself like Airbnb," he adds.

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Matthew Spacie at the Socialstar office in Khar. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

Each 90-minute session, which can accommodate 15 adults and young people each, includes a 10-minute ice-breaker so participants get to know one another and build some level of empathy. "This is an equal platform. It's not like, 'I'm teaching you something so just sit down and learn.' Once you've gone through a session, the same kids keep coming every week for the same programme. You can decide whether you want to or not. The reason we take payment is that it facilitates the payment of the activity itself," Spacie, who continues to be involved with Magic Bus, says.

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Having gathered a team comprising 12 people a year ago, the activities will be based out of Mumbai for a year. And even if the adults are already "social stars" for attending them, they will be given social credit points for it, which can be redeemed on experiences in the future — a concert or meet-and-greet with celebrities or influencers, for instance. These stars could also be linked to your social media profiles. The children see the same set of activities, get to choose what they wish to pursue and gain a star. Their safety is also taken care of and child protection rules are conveyed.

Spacie also has family-centric activities in the pipeline. The goal, he says, is to make you feel good about doing good. "This is not a hardship. It is the most incredible fun you can have all year."

ON Every weekend
LOG ON TO socialstar.org/events
Email reshmi@socialstar.org (to sign up as an instructor)
COST Rs 600

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