Teacher goes from blackboard to beat making with social enterprise
Teacher goes from blackboard to beat making with social enterprise
A 34-year-old former teacher is celebrating moving to her first office in Sandbach Enterprise Centre after overcoming illness to launch her social enterprise business Mbollou.
Mbollou offers African drumming, arts, dance and traditional handicrafts and is based in the East Cheshire area. Its aim is to promote cultural awareness and celebrate diversity through interactive and inclusive workshops within the community. It works with schools, local authorities, housing associations, care homes and community groups
The social enterprise is owned by Sarah Humphreys who worked as a primary school teacher for seven years in East Cheshire. As part of her professional development she went on a trip to Gambia in 2007, where she explored sustainable development in the region. She was shown how the communities supported each other and how people made an effort to give something back to where they lived. The trip inspired her to think how she could create a more sustainable, diverse community in East Cheshire.
Sarah launched Mbollou at the end of 2009 after investing £500 in equipment and left her full time role.
“In 2009 I became ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and my priorities changed, I needed a better work/life balance,” she said. “I had wanted to set up a business for a while and my change of circumstances pushed me to do this. I was introduced to an African musician based in Sandbach, Sheikh Njie, and we decided to combine my teaching skills with his musical talent. The profit we make is re-invested into the business and a percentage is given to help water, health and education projects in Gambia, where the original inspiration for Mbollou was born. At the beginning of 2011 my business partner, Sheikh Njie and I visited Gambia to further develop this, sourcing projects to support.”
While launching, Sarah searched the internet for business advice in East Cheshire and found Blue Orchid, the contracted business start-up advice provider for the region.
“I had been working in education for several years and felt I needed some help and advice as I wanted to establish Mbollou as a social enterprise,” she said. “After contacting Blue Orchid I was given a business support advisor Kerry Hall who met up with me and offered valuable guidance and moral support. I attended several free business sessions in areas such as sales and marketing, HMRC and tax. The advice, support and workshops were invaluable to my business development.”
Sarah added: “We have had great reception to our events; they bring colour, life and breakdown barriers through the region. We have just moved into our first offices in the Sandbach Enterprise Centre and are launching our new website in March. Alongside this we are developing a volunteer programme with the local university.”
Sarah’s support was delivered though the ISUS programme, in which Blue Orchid is the contracted provider for Cheshire East. It is provided by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). ISUS is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow. The programme is funded by the NWDA, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cheshire East Council. Sarah also received financial support from the Grass Roots Community Projects and the Co-Operative Group.
For more information about Mbollou call 01270 752 136 or email njie.sheikh@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.mbollou.org.uk
To find out more about Blue Orchid’s services in Cheshire West and Chester call 01244 559 032 or email startup@theblueorchid.co.uk
