Watford businesswoman scoops award (From Watford Observer)

Watford businesswoman scoops award

9:26am Wednesday 17th June 2009 in Search Module By Michael Pickard

A businesswoman from Watford has scooped an award for her work helping people with mental health issues.

Recovery In-Sight Centre, run by Dr Heather Straughan, won the award for best business plan at Flare, the University of Hertfordshire's business ideas challenge.

And she is now on course for another prize handed out by the Federation of Small Businesses.

The Recovery In-Sight Centre offers training, research, advisory and self-help services, delivered by people affected by mental health issues, to enable themselves and others to progress in their recovery.

Two self-help groups, one in Watford and another in Stevenage, and free training courses are already being offered, together with other research and advisory services.

Dr Straughan, who went to Watford Grammar School for Girls, said: “Winning Flare has given us the impetus to move forward and develop the company as a social enterprise.

“We are, however, much more than an excellent business plan. We have an intrinsic social purpose and between our two self-help groups we have more than 150 members. We hope to win the FSB Recent Graduate award on Thursday (tomorrow) night and raise awareness of our company.”