Futuretrend awarded DTI contract to help people with mental health conditions become entrepreneurs

Nigel Griffiths, Minister for Small Business and Enterprise has awarded £1.25 million to help people with mental health conditions become entrepreneurs.

Futuretrend is proud to announce that it is one of thirteen new projects which has been awarded funding specifically to encourage enterprise among people with mental health conditions. All the projects will be funded by the Phoenix Fund, the £177 million DTI programme set up to help tackle social exclusion by encouraging entrepreneurship.

At a celebratory event to launch the projects, Mr Griffiths said:‘ A high number of people with mental health conditions aspire to work, but many fear that employers will have little understanding of their situation. We believe that for some, setting up their own business would be a viable alternative. It is clear from the sheer volume of interest we received in this programme that those working in the field agree.’

Also present at the launch was Health Minister Rosie Winterton who said:

"The projects being launched today are an excellent example of promoting social inclusion by giving people with mental health problems a real chance to develop their skills and experience through self-employment and allowing people to fulfil their potential within society."

The projects, based throughout England , will help people with mental health conditions become self-employed, or start a small business or social enterprise through mentoring, training, advice and hands-on support.

The Futuretrend project is to be run in conjunction with partners Barnet, Enfield , and Haringey NHS Mental Health Trust.

Entitled ‘Positive Minds’ the project will provide a ‘one stop shop' for professional business advice and training, ICT training, business planning and mentoring, assistance with raising finance and provision of hot-desking facilities .

Through one-to-one interventions and workshop participation, beneficiaries will have on-site access to an experienced business adviser, a qualified accountant, an ICT expert and an office assistant. In addition to these business focused services, participants will also have access to a senior level psychologist who will offer individual and group supervision, specialist psychotherapeutic support, assistance in sustaining family support, assistance in tackling anxieties, life dilemmas and blockages.

The overall aim is that through the activities outlined above, the Positive Minds project will help to reduce stigma and increase social participation through business development.