On the 3rd June we were thrilled to launch our 2026 cohort for our Together for Wellbeing programme at Impact Hub London Euston’s event space. The evening was a discussion around how we can create healthier cities through social innovation, as well as an introduction and celebration of the seven social enterprises who will be joining us for the next 6-months. We also heard from Mercedes Yearley, CEO of Quest Soul Theatre CIC and alumni from our 2025 cohort, about her experience with the programme, what she learnt and how she has applied this to her social enterprise going forward.
What is Together for Wellbeing?
Together for Wellbeing is our flagship mental health incubator. For the last two years, it has been enabled through the Postcode Innovation Trust who will have supported 15 social entrepreneurs in 18 months.
The participants go through a 6-month programme where they learn the foundations of building a sustainable social enterprise, from how to ensure the legal and administrative side of things is handled through to how you can leverage marketing and social media to broaden your reach. They are also supported by mentor sessions each month, as well as peer-to-peer sessions to learn from each other. One of the biggest challenges of being an early stage entrepreneur is the loneliness that can often come with it, and through this programme (and our others) it is a core pillar to address that through community, events and networking.
What is the aim of Together for Wellbeing?
The aim of the programme is to help early stage social enterprises to evolve, gain knowledge and subsequently have more impact through the work they do. The social enterprises that this programme aims to help cover a range of areas – but they all look at addressing some of the systemic issues to create preventable solutions for mental wellbeing.
By addressing the factors that we know – and is well evidenced – contribute to poor mental health, they seek to change how things progress and create a healthier society. These issues can factor in things such as unstable housing, employability and employment opportunities, access to technology, community and reducing isolation, and financial education.
For social enterprises to have the impact they need to, they need to survive and be sustainable, and so we ensure that the skills and knowledge we share throughout the programme aligns to the mission of ensuring longevity for the social enterprises.
Who is in this year’s cohort?
This year’s cohort is shaped by some exciting social enterprises, who are focusing on a real mix of areas with different experiences of being a social enterprise.
This year’s seven social enterprises are:
- Waltham Adult Skills Centre – Founded by Swaleh Abubakar
- Mile Rainbow CIC – Founded by Hong Zhou
- Urban Trailblazers CIC – Founded by Hildreth Alexander
- Divergent Thinking – Founded by Nathaniel Hawley
- Balance Together – Founded by Shakana Acheampong
- Health in the Margins – Founded by Julianna Smith
- Urban Rise – Founded by Abdirahman Ahmad
Why is funding social enterprises in this space so important?
Our panel session in the evening touched on this, discussing how the need for social enterprises in mental wellbeing is important as social enterprises are not being driven by growing their profits, but rather expanding their impact. As they are not beholden to the pressure to turn high profits, it means they are able to focus on the people and communities that their enterprise serves.
Social enterprises put people and planet over profit, and it is harder to focus on the people and communities that you serve when you are focused on driving profit for shareholders.
To find out more about our Together for Wellbeing programme, you can visit the webpage here https://london.impacthub.net/programmes/together-for-wellbeing-programme
About Impact Hub London’s Programmes
Impact Hub London designs, develops and manages programmes that provide business support for social entrepreneurs to help them develop their organisation and ensure long-term sustainability and success. Our programmes provide participants with expert mentoring, knowledge sessions, peer learning, funding opportunities and a vibrant community, giving changemakers the tools and connections they need to create lasting solutions for people and the planet.
We work with corporate partners, institutions and investors to create programmes that empower entrepreneurs and fund solutions for a better world.
You can find out more here.
