Anyone can be a social entrepreneur

After experiencing first hand how hard it can be for families to navigate the mental health system, Samantha Frances started Find a Balance. Soon after, she was accepted on to the Investec Beyond Business Programme, and her social enterprise has been growing ever since.

Find a Balance is a Community Interest Company that works with individuals predominantly from African Caribbean communities. They run programmes to support individuals with mental health issues and their families.

When her son had a psychotic breakdown, Sam was not happy with how he was treated in hospital, as she explained;

‘The NHS used a one glove fits all approach. There was no support for family members and it was hard to communicate with the members of staff.’

This experience led to Sam starting Find a Balance, with the aim that families and individuals in similar situations can be better supported. Founded in 2015, Find a Balance has now worked with over 400 families in London and won multiple awards.

How Investec Beyond Business supported them

For Sam, the Investec Beyond Business programme gave her the confidence she needed to start her social enterprise.

‘Starting a business is like completing a puzzle, but you’re not sure where to start. Beyond Business helped me make the right connections and fit all the pieces together. I had support from professionals and was able to see my idea turn into a real business’

Find out more

Find a Balance has gone international! They will be delivering 5 days of mental health and wellbeing workshops at a yoga retreat in Jamaica, and have other workshops coming up specifically for black men in Hackney.

You can find out more about Find a Balance here.

Have you recently launched a social enterprise in east London, or do you have a great idea for one? Find out more about the programme.