New Beginnings Manchester
What is the social venture you have developed and why?
New Beginnings Manchester, My aim is to help support peoples’ Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Wellbeing in a number of ways, including one to one therapy sessions and group work including amongst other things Mindfulness and Meditation sessions. Doing this, where possible in nature, but always outside of a clinical environment.
Before you came on the Time To Grow programme where were you at with your venture?
Before the programme, it was all a pipe dream. I had trained in Counselling and had worked doing Holistic Therapies for years. I had also suffered with Anxiety and Depression personally. I knew that I always felt better when I was out in nature and had heard the same comment regularly from my clients so had thought about the principals of New Beginnings Manchester for years. However I never felt it was achievable.
How has the Time To Grow programme helped you?
The programme has been life-changing. The support I have had has been amazing. The fact that someone ‘Believed in me’ and what I wanted to do followed by the advice and guidance at every step so far has been crucial. Without it I can confidently say, this would all still be a pipe dream.
What elements of the TTG programme have been of particular use, what have you used from it?
The regular Support from everyone at Flourish has been great. When I have had a query I have always had a prompt and very helpful response. For me personally I have been made to feel like an equal rather than a student. It has felt like when I have had to get guidance on something, I have found it has been easily accessible and it has been delivered in an friendly, informal way. This has been something totally different to any of the other learning environments I have had experience of in the past. I have also loved meeting the other women, some of whom have become friends, who also had dreams they wanted to manifest. In fact the support we give each other has also helped tremendously.
How has your journey been since the programme ended? Any highs or lows yet?
It is an ongoing journey for me. The highs have been the interaction and positive feedback from most of the people who I have supported to date.
The only low has been negative behaviour from one person who had joined the group, who seemed hell bent on trying to shatter what I have built so far, in the main fuelled by jealousy. They had also preyed on vulnerable members of the group, which meant I had to get the Police involved.
How do you see the future of the project developing?
Now lockdown is easing I am planning to get some outdoor events planned. The aim is to organise some full day workshops. I also hope to run some workshops within other organisations.
Any top tips to share with other social enterprise start ups? Advice you would give to past self? Ways you keep yourself motivated?
Don’t overstretch yourself, with the excitement of seeing your ‘dream’ manifesting it is really easy to let it take over your life. Remember to treat it as ‘work’ or a ‘job’ and take time out from it accordingly. For the first month or so I spent as much time at my laptop as I did doing everything else and ended up shattered.
Keep connected with other people who are going through the same, compare notes and tips. Networking in this way to gain further contacts who may like to access your services is an added bonus
Take part in as much free training as you can. Not all of it may feel relevant at the time but there will be things you pick up you may never consider otherwise.
Anything else you would like to share with the Flourish network?
At the risk of repeating myself, just a huge huge thank you for getting me to a point where I feel I am on the right track and where I should be.
Bonus question if applicable: Is there anyone or anything that has been inspirational to you when it comes to creating social change?
I would have to say, some of the other Time to Grow participants. There are people, having heard their stories, who have come through so so much and still want to help other people.
If you have been inspired and would like to know more or find out about future Time to Grow programmes, do get in touch.
