Member Article

F=@#! Mental Health secures support from UnLtd - The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs

F=@#! Mental Health - a Community Interest Company that is due to launch this month out of Yorkshire, has secured support from UnLtd, the UK’s foundation for social entrepreneurs. The funding and tailored package of support from UnLtd will help the organisation make lasting social change in the community.

F=@#! Mental Health CIC is a game changing offering for Accountants, Finance Professionals and employers, bringing together under one hub, some of the best resources, products and services to support them and the companies they work.

It will provide confidential signposting and support for any subscribed employee or employer, providing all paid for products on a reduced cost, part or fully subsidised basis.

The CIC has been established on the back of extensive research highlighting the challenges surrounding Mental Health & Wellbeing in the workplace for Accountants & Finance professionals , with it’s impact on societies, communities, businesses themselves as well as it’s social an economic impact. Only 2% of Accountants have reported never having significant stress as part of their job, while over 70% feel their employer does not have adequate support for their Mental Health & Wellbeing. They are also reluctant to share their problems at work, with over 95% surveyed saying they would make up another reason as to why they may be struggling or taken time off.

Research has found Accountants & Finance professionals would feel much more comfortable going to a confidential, external go-to for information and support around Mental Health & Wellbeing. One that ensures that they can research and choose the type of support they require, while most importantly for it not to affect their career or job prospects.

Focus groups found such a confidential hub like F=@#! Mental Health would encourage Accountants & Finance professionals to access support, resources and services much sooner than perhaps they would through their employer, encouraging a more proactive approach to their wellbeing at work.

Employers of Accountants & Finance professionals across Industry and Accountancy Firms have major challenges. With what is widely regarded amongst their existing employees as a silent epidemic, there are negative business impacts on the business in reduced productivity, motivation, engagement, the financial and business impact of employees leaving due to work stress as well as overall happiness. Attracting external talent is also being affected for many employers as the profession battles with the increasing demands placed on them by the business.

There are many business owners, HR teams, line managers and Finance professionals who are overwhelmed by the whole spectrum of wellbeing. Many struggle to have the time, resources and budget to dedicate fully to a wide reaching Wellbeing programme.

F=@#! Mental Health has solved these issues by doing much of the heavy lifting - through curating the most crucial and best-in-class resources, information, innovations for employers looking to explore and do more with regards to wellbeing at work. By bringing it all under one hub, it removes the overwhelm and sheer time to explore the various areas of wellbeing, acting as a fulcrum for employers to explore all the wellbeing areas, for them to choose which one to look into further.

The social mission of F=@#! Mental Health is to have an impact on an individual, family, community, social, business and economic level. Through offering every paid for product and service subsidised as a minimum, it is also making wellbeing more affordable accessible to businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Nas Morley, UnLtd Director of Partnerships & Influence, underlined the importance of the expertise and support on offer and said: “Enterprising people are at the heart of so much positive change across the UK, so it’s wonderful for UnLtd to be able to provide support for this social venture. We hope that our tailored package of support will help to develop many more sustainable businesses that will deliver lasting social impact. We’re living in particularly challenging times, so some of these ideas and innovations are urgently needed.”

Javed Bobat, Founder of F=@#! Mental Health CIC, said: “I am overwhelmed by the award of the grant, not least as I was being judged at the same level as an organisation who was already trading. The faith shown by UNLTD at such an early stage, believing in my vision, means a lot and for that I am truly grateful. While our roots are in Yorkshire/Lancashire and the North, we are having advanced discussions to take the offering further South (incl. London) after earlier than anticipated interest.

The CIC has a unique offering for it’s end users who can access a curated list of the very best out there, all in complete confidence. Our mission is to have a transformational effect on a Human, Community, Social, Employment and Economic level. We are here to raise awareness, education as well as having a positive, lasting effect on society and businesses“

UnLtd is working hard with partners from both the public and private sectors to help deliver social impact by harnessing the huge potential of social entrepreneurs to solve society’s biggest challenges. The organisation is focused on three big impact areas; resilient communities, employability and solutions for an ageing society.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Javed Bobat .