a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. Volunteer with us, gain experience for yourself and help us deliver this worthwhile service.
Rodney
Rodney - Holistic Therapist
In February 2009 Rodney had to give up his job due to depression which was in part related to the stress of the position. The illness made it difficult to work to other people’s agenda and routine. Rodney felt he had no control of his working life and the high pressure role was not conducive to me addressing his mental health problems. He feared an uncertain future and during the time and had to consider his position; the idea of self employment began to take shape in his mind.
Running his own business gives him the freedom to work to his own routine. He thinks self-employment is less stressful because he enjoys more control. Not having control over his time and his life causes increased anxiety. When he has the freedom to say no and manage his time, he can more easily control his stress.
He attended the Access Enterprise Business Awareness Workshop in Jan 2009 and since joined the Access Enterprise Programme. He has been working with Business Coach Yan Miao from ELECT and Steve Humphries from Network Employment on his business plan and completed the business plan and successfully received £500 grant to fund his start up cost. He feels that by starting his own business, with the support of the project, he will be able to continue being economically active for the foreseeable future.
He enjoys clinical therapeutic work, and as a self employed therapist he is using his skills, feeling fulfilled by what he does and working to his strengths. He has found the depressive symptoms subside markedly since reducing the stress of salaried employment. He thinks this is also due to enjoying his work as a holistic practitioner and being able to develop his skills.
Being his own boss allows him the freedom to develop the business at his own pace and take it in the direction he feels is appropriate. He can make changes and develop new aspects of the business such as internet sales. He can learn from his own mistakes and takes action to improve the business in order to make it financially successful, which is one of the greatest challenges.
Partners
MEH
To work towards a socially inclusive society in which all individuals can achieve their potential.To promote and enable the social inclusion of groups and individuals. To effect positive change and best practise in advancing social inclusion
MerseyCare
Mersey Care NHS Trust was established on 1 April 2001 to provide specialist mental health and learning disability services for the people of Liverpool, Sefton, and Kirkby. Mersey Care's purpose is to enable people with learning disabilities and mental health difficulties and their carers to optimise their health, life experience and citizenship.
ELECT
East Liverpool Economic Community Trust Ltd (ELECT) exists to help all residents of Merseyside and West Lancashire, whatever their personal circumstances gain employment or start a business, improving their quality of life, sustaining communities and strengthening local economies.
