Social enterprises get support to boost local health

What is the Health and Wellbeing Trade Up Programme?

Through a comprehensive 12-month programme this group of entrepreneurs will be able to hone their ideas, share learnings and find effective ways to work together within the same local communities. 

As well as grant funding and peer support, the cohort will receive guidance from expert practitioners on how to develop their organisations and support to tackle challenges.

One of the entrepreneurs in the scheme, Felicia Boshorin, leads a project that offers healthy meals and activities to local children during school holidays.

“I look forward to learning more about how to identify multiple and diverse income streams. We have just entered into an agreement with another socially-driven local organisation to deliver Holiday Meals, and the programme will definitely help my organisation be more independent and allow me to grow as a leader.”

The eight social enterprises selected are:

• Community Opportunity led by Emma Stone. This project supports local people with disabilities and barriers to employment to start up their own businesses with market stalls in Bermondsey.
• Aspire Wellbeing led by Keith Edmundson. Aspire Wellbeing offers daycare and other support for disabled and vulnerable adults with services including physio sessions, life skills classes and a specialist gym.
• Marlborough Sports Garden, part of Bankside Open Spaces Trust led by Jack Harrison. This project uses outdoor space to improve the health of local children through physical activity and lessons about nutrition.
• Central Southwark Community Hub led by Felicia Boshorin. CSCH started as a food bank and has expanded to offer a holiday club, providing access to healthy food and activities such as cooking and budgeting classes.
• Self Management UK led by Ian Silver. This organisation supports people with long-term health conditions through advice, support and peer-led education about self-managing their conditions. It has supported more than 152,000 people to date.
• Community Bridges led by Sandra Evans. Community Bridges connects people with health and wellbeing information by mapping local support organisations. They have also developed an app showing local events and projects, and a community-focused magazine.
• Project Dare led by Ursula Bowerman. The team provides training that uses drama and the arts to support people with their body confidence, mental health and employability skills. Sessions cater to people who are long-term unemployed and members of the LGBTQ community.
• FMG (Feed Me Good) Social led by Nureen Glaves. This programme supports families in inner-city areas with healthy eating and smart shopping on a budget. The emphasis is on respecting the heritage of favourite recipes and making them healthier.

Interested in the programme? Find out more from the School of Social Entrepreneurs.