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Founder of Wellbeing Project announced as a semi finalist in the Barclays Trading Places Awards 2007.
Now in their third year, these national Awards aim to recognise men and women from all over the UK who have overcome various barriers and battled against adversity to positively change their lives by setting up in business.
Four years ago, in spite of graduating from university, and then landing a prestigious scholarship to undertake a PhD, Mark Swift was battling with severe depression.
When he had to give up his studies and go onto incapacity benefit, he felt as though his life was over.
The turning point for Mark came when he decided to take on some voluntary work to boost his confidence. Starting with a couple of hours a week, he was soon putting in full days, meeting people and acquiring new skills.
Before long, he landed a part-time contract with Halton & St Helens Primary Care NHS Trust. He came off benefits and started rebuilding his life. Mark is now working full time as Health Improvement Specialist – Mental Health & Wellbeing for the PCT.
Realising from his own experience how effective the ‘stepped approach’ to recovery could be, Mark decided to create a social business in his spare time that would provide the same opportunities for others. With support from his local Chamber of Commerce and Unltd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, he set up The Wellbeing Project CIC, a mental heath and wellbeing consultancy.
The business is unique in that everyone involved has been affected by mental health issues and uses their experience to develop new products and services.
Already the Wellbeing Project is achieving a high profile, most significantly by attracting a grant of over £90,000 from Comic Relief. This will allow the company to expand and provide more employment opportunities. Moreover, Mark and colleagues were recently awarded the Prestigious NHS Northwest Public Health Award in April of this year for the work that led on to the setting up of the Wellbeing Project.
Mark estimates that a substantial proportion of the people in the St Helens area claiming incapacity benefits do so as a result of common mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety which can be very debilitating. However, most of these, he believes, could return to work and live fulfilling lives if provided with a ‘stepped approach to recovery’.
Mark’s own experience supports the claim and he hopes eventually to see a network of his Community Interest Companies all over the UK providing supported employment and recovery pathways for local communities.
The Barclays Trading Places Awards will culminate in a glittering gala Awards Dinner at London's Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square on Tuesday 2 October.
Week Commencing 16 July
Announcement of 10 National Finalists.
2 October
Awards Event – Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square.
3 October
Announcement of Overall Winner and Runner-Up.