Tag: Projekt 42

Projekt 42 to close in June

A STATEMENT from PROJEKT 42:

Projekt 42 will close on 10th June 2022.

Projekt 42 launched in 2017. Our main objective was to build a self-sustaining charity that used the income from the sale of fitness and yoga classes to fund a free and low-cost mental health service.

However, since November 2020, we have not been able to find a suitable venue in Edinburgh that could work to bring all of our services together.

As a result, without income-generating activities, such as the sale of gym memberships, yoga classes and personal training, we can no longer continue to fund the mental health services.

While we had hoped to secure funding that could be used to fund the operational costs of the mental health services, unfortunately, there are not enough funding opportunities available to support the demand for the much needed mental health services in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Projekt 42’s model aims to generate the income necessary to support free and low-cost counselling, and our objective is to work to create sustainable changes in the community. Relying on funding opportunities to achieve this is not possible and does not allow us to build a strong team or sustainable service.

The demand for meeting everyday business goals mixed with much-needed social outcomes can sometimes seem impossible. To avoid becoming reliant on grant funding, as of 10th June 2022, Projekt 42’s services will close to redesign the model.

We want to thank all our members, volunteers and the wider Projekt 42 community for your support and encouragement over the last five years.

– The Projekt 42 Team

Edinburgh entrepreneur wins NatWest everywoman award

Sara Hawkins of Leith-based Projekt 42 was crowned the most inspirational and successful female founder of a social enterprise at this year’s NatWest everywoman awards.

The entrepreneur behind the not-for-profit gym and wellness centre on Leith Walk, took home the Gaia Award at the glittering ceremony in London earlier this week (3 Dec), for creating a sustainable business model with a strong community benefit.

The 34-year-old set up Projekt 42 in 2017 following personal experience.

She said: “To win such an accolade is just incredible. I was a finalist alongside 20 other inspirational women from across the country in the running to win a NatWest everywoman Award and I’m over the moon to have brought the Gaia award back to Edinburgh.”

Six years ago Sara was diagnosed with PTSD, unable to work and on long mental health waiting lists. Determined to improve her health, Sara self-funded a combination of fitness, counselling and life coaching sessions.

Having seen the difference it made, she was determined to help others and set up Projekt42, having sold her home and donated the money to buy equipment.

With fitness classes ranging from yoga, pilates and boxing, a key component of its offering is its holistic approach to wellness. It now has the largest team of counsellors and psychotherapists in the city outside the NHS.

Sara added: “Projekt42 is a unique offering. It was the first wellness centre to combine fitness, yoga and mental health services.

“We recognise that many people out there need counselling support right now, but are stuck on waiting lists in the health system.

“With over 300 different classes each month to suit all ages and abilities, to our wellness services which include counselling and life coaching, we’re committed to helping everyone. After all, mental health isn’t something that some people have – we all have it in various degrees.

“I am looking forward to scaling Projekt42 and plan to open additional sites across the UK.”

Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder at everywoman commented: “Women in the UK do not lack ability or ambition, yet only one in three British entrepreneurs are female – a gender gap equivalent to 1.1 million missing businesses.

“Women are consistently less likely than men to believe they have the necessary skills to be successful entrepreneurs, which is why showcasing the success stories of winners is so critical. They demonstrate passion, determination and dedication often in the face of adversity.

“We congratulate this year’s winners and applaud their incredible achievements.”

Leith not-for-profit Gym offers mindfulness sessions thanks to charitable donation

A not-for-profit gym in Leith is to offer new mindfulness and yoga sessions designed to boost mental wellbeing, thanks to a four-figure donation from Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation. Projekt 42, which aims to highlight the bond between physical fitness and mental health, has received over £3,100 to run two yoga and mindfulness courses over a period of six months. Continue reading Leith not-for-profit Gym offers mindfulness sessions thanks to charitable donation