Duncan McFadzean
- Tell us what about yourself and your venture?
I’ve been involved in youth work and discipleship for 20 years with churches and para-church organisations. As work can often take me out of the community, I was looking not just for an opportunity to work with people locally, but also to see relationships and community grow here. I started Block Party as a vehicle to experiment with ways to provide people with an opportunity to have fun together and to begin to strengthen friendships. Our first attempt at this has been a giant inflatable screen which individuals, families and community groups can use to watch movies with others in their garden or other community space.
- How did you get involved with Creo?
I was put in touch with Creo after a conversation exploring Christian entrepreneurship with someone in America of all places. Thankfully he knew of some people in the same country as me who could help me hone my vision and sift through my far too many ideas!
- How did you find your experience of Creo? How did it help your venture?
My trouble was I had too many ideas of what I could do, but little framework with which to evaluate. Creo has been invaluable in helping bring clarity to why I want to do something and in self-evaluation so that all ideas can be measured against what fits both me and my vision. The practical advice for setting up, running and growing a venture has also been extremely helpful.
- What are you most excited for in your venture?
I was delighted that very quickly after launching I found myself chatting and getting to know clients that I would otherwise never have met and to hear their feedback as to how they had enjoyed their time together. I’m excited that the journey ahead is to take that experience beyond private parties and across communities.
- What are some of the things you’re thinking about/questions you are asking as an entrepreneur?
We can become very private, isolated and individualistic in life, yet God created us to live in relationship with each other. My goal as an entrepreneur is to look for ways to create spaces where these relationships can begin, and ask how this initial enjoyment of activity with each other can be moved beyond feeling towards true relationship and a realisation of this created purpose.
David founded Block Party to explore ways to grow community and relationships. He works part time for SU Scotland training young leaders and is on the leadership team at Riverside Church in Ayr. David has over 20 years experience working with churches and with children and young people, and is passionate about finding ways for followers of Jesus to make a difference in their communities. David is a graduate of The University of Aberdeen (MA Politics & International Relations), and has a certificate in Christian Ministry and an Associate Degree in Foundations of Christian Thought from Eternity Bible College.