Social entrepreneur reaches final for East of England Businesswoman of the year

“I hope it’s an inspiration for anyone struggling with their mental health”

The finalists for this year’s East of England Businesswoman of the year awards have now been announced and a Suffolk woman whose social enterprise aims to help people access information and services on mental health and wellbeing is one of the finalists.

The region-wide competition takes place annually to find deserving female business leaders and entrepreneurs and one of those contenders is Tina Gibbons of Great Barton, Suffolk.

In the first year of her new social enterprise, The Mind Sanctuary, 39-year-old Tina has been selected as a finalist for this year’s ‘start-up business of the year’ sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial.

Tina’s inspiration for her social enterprise came from her own experiences with mental health that made her determined to help change both the way people view mental health issues, and to provide an easily accessible resource.

Tina said: “I am delighted to be one of the finalists for this award. It is a real boost to my confidence to gain recognition for what I’m trying to achieve with The Mind Sanctuary. I hope it’s an inspiration to anyone who may be struggling with their mental health, as I once was myself.”

The Mind Sanctuary is a free online resource providing easy to access information on natural and holistic approaches to emotional wellbeing, along with links to local mental health services, counsellors, complementary therapists and therapeutic activities.

The results of The East of England Business Women of The Year Awards are to be released on May 26th at the EEBW awards dinner held at Ickworth House in Horringer, Suffolk.