What is Mental Wealth?

Mental Wealth is an initiative to help people with mental health problems get into work.

Mental Wealth is about using the wealth of people's skills....to create wealth.... by setting up businesses.... that will employ people with mental health problems.

Mental Wealth consists of a group of mental health workers and service users in Leeds who are setting up social firms for people with mental health problems.

Mental Wealth is about releasing potential to create employment.

History of Mental Wealth

In 2003, a group of workers from Leeds Social Services and the mental health charity "Making Space" met with a goal of creating  social firms for people with mental health problems.  The group publicised itself and enlisted the support of mental health service users.  The name "Mental Wealth" was chosen and support was sought from social firms UK.  Mark Powell, Chief Executive of  IMBY (the nearest local branch of Social Firms UK) leant his weight to the group and the group expanded its membership to include representation from the Leeds North West PCT and other local voluntary sector organisations such as Community Links and Mind.

The group set about investigating business ideas and a meeting was held to shortlist the best ideas.  Sub-groups were established to take forward the business ideas that had been selected.

The initial business ideas were:

1). a social business centre

2). a directory that sells advertising space

3).a printing business

4). a re-cycling business

5). a catering business

The directory and re-cycling ideas have been shelved, however.  A social business centre has been set up and the Fulfilling Rolls catering business has become a Community Interest Company.