Go Furness

Trinity EAP

Sheila and Amanda are both experienced business women with an impressive combined portfolio of qualifications and experience. Sheila runs the Ulverston Natural Health Centre in addition to practicing as a successful therapist and has a background as an art teacher. Amanda has a psychotherapy and counselling practice, is also a nutrition coach and was the export director at Colony Candles.

Sheila initially recognised a gap in the local market and approached Amanda about setting up together as business partners. Sheila is an ideas woman with lots of energy and motivation. Amanda complements Sheila with her organisational skills and marketing background. Both women are determined to run a successful business and to source everything they need locally.

So what was the gap in the market that Sheila spotted? It was the need for employers in local companies and organisations to provide face to face employee assistance such as counselling, life coaching, stress management, outplacement counselling and training. According to the CBI, absenteeism costs the UK a staggering £11.6 billion pounds a year and the two main causes of over 60% of sickness are mental health (depression, anxiety, stress) & musculoskeletal (bad backs, Repetitive Strain Injury).

The HSE (Health & Safety Executive) have estimated that 5 million employees in the UK suffer from work-related stress to a level they believe is making them ill. An average of 29 working days is lost through each case of stress-related ill health, with the condition leading to high staff turnover and poor work performance. Employers therefore not only have a legal duty of care obligation to take action but it is also in their best interests to do so.

So both women recognised the potential for a win-win service provision that benefits others. Furness employees could greatly benefit from face-to-face support in order to cope with the stresses in today’s challenging workplace. Their aim being to help employees reduce the stress that they experience, have a better life/work balance and an improved ability to manage change. The employer benefits from a reduced staff turnover and absence rates and improved productivity and efficiency.

Trinity offers varied and flexible packages meeting the needs of large organisations or small businesses. They can offer group work, individual sessions or be part of an appraisal programme. They meet with employers, discuss their needs and then put together an appropriate bespoke package in accordance to their requirements and budget.

They made an extensive business plan that they update weekly. They were able to secure a grant from Furness Enterprise and they used this to help set up their business and brand themselves, using local designer Andrew Nicholaides (AND Design & Marketing). Even the name is significant – the ‘Trinity’ of 3 being the Employer, the Employee and Trinity, all working together to improve life and work. Trinity has a very collaborative approach to business taking every opportunity to network with other businesses in the area. They have already secured 3 contracts in the education sector and have others in the pipeline. They intend developing a team of associates to cover the whole of Cumbria and the Northwest thus helping to support other coaches and practitioners locally. However they have their sights set high and their goal is to provide their services throughout the UK. Along the way, their aim is to be added to the wall of fame at Furness Enterprise!

They also aim to deliver more than they promise to by pacing themselves and not getting overwhelmed with unrealistic schedules. They are laying down solid foundations getting the legal, financial, marketing, accounting, and work schedule systems firmly in place.

They work hard and make sure that they listen to what their clients actually want. They apply what they teach in their own lives making sure they practice excellent self-care and keep a good life/work balance. They have meetings together once a week to keep on top of what needs to be done in the business.

Advice to young entrepreneurs?

• Get support where you can by collaborating with other businesses.
• Get a good business plan together and keep using it like a living document. Keep setting goals.
• Think about how your business reflects your personal as well as professional life goals.
• Make sure you are passionate and interested in the business that you want to set up.

If you are a local employer and think that your company could benefit from a healthy boost of support, give Amanda and Sheila a ring.

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Posted by Kay Hebbourn on 21st October.