After months of growth, collaboration and transformation, our Inclusive Health Programme reached another milestone with an inspiring live Pitch Day. Participants proved just how far they have come. Overcoming challenges, lifting each other up with rounds of applause, whoops and shouts of ‘You got It Girl!’ was amazing to be a part of. Every participant commented on the positive energy in the room.
What a Day! Pitching with Purpose and Passion
This month iSE welcomed an amazing moment in our Inclusive Health journey…Pitch Day! After months of workshops, mentoring and idea refinement, participants from Cohort 1 stepped up to present their social enterprise ventures to a panel of expert judges: Ben Howells, Sally Dhillon, and Drew Currie,
Each pitch was more than just a business proposition, it was a deeply personal story. Every participant having one theme in common. All stood in that room as a testament to resilience, creativity and care for community. And what stood out to the judges and everyone present, was more than their innovation, it was a genuine respect and appreciation for one another.
Starting with Ideas to Brave Action:
The Inclusive Health Programme has been a six-month whirlwind of learning, growing and pushing boundaries.
Delivered in partnership with Health Innovation West Midlands and the Living Well Consortium, the programme guides early-stage social entrepreneurs through three key phases:
👉 Ideator (turning ideas into plans)
👉 Incubator (turning plans into action)
👉 Accelerator (turning action into impact)
Through expert-led workshops, 1:1 business mentoring and exposure to the health and social care landscape in the West Midlands, participants developed their confidence, built the skills needed to lead with purpose and clarified their missions to build a self-sustaining enterprise.
More Than Just Pitches
Every pitch was delivered by women. This was not the programme intention to be female-led but it did demonstrate how women have taken a load on their shoulders to change the communities that are often underserved, overlooked or misunderstood.
All stood up and shared an idea, with some already generating considerable traction.
What united them?
1) A shared purpose.
2) A culture of kindness and encouragement.
3) A fierce belief in enterprise for good.
We laughed and we applauded. This day just reminded us why this programme exists in the first place.
Next Stop: The Accelerator Phase
So, what’s next?
We’re currently finalising our grant awardees …incredible ventures that will receive additional support, funding and strategic guidance to scale their impact in the Accelerator Phase.
This part is about growth, partnership and bringing pilot projects to life in real world settings with organisations like the Living Well Consortium, or iSE’s other partners. 4 of the previous cohort are already delivering services to iSE & our partners.
Want to Be Part of the Next Cohort?
The Inclusive Health Programme has proven that great things happen when support meets purpose. If you’ve got an idea or are growing an early-stage enterprise…in health, wellbeing or social care, we’d love to hear from you.
- Based in the West Midlands?
- Got a heart for innovation and a vision for impact?
- Want to scale what you’re building?
Then stay in the loop. We’ll be launching future programme rounds and you could be next.
Get in touch: info@i-se.co.uk
“We couldn’t be prouder of everyone who has joined us on this Inclusive Health journey. You’ve shown what’s possible when determination, community and opportunity come together.” – iSE Team
Keep an eye out for highlights, interviews and impact stories from our amazing participants, because this is just the beginning.