Start Up Spotlight: ConnectedCulture 💡

Henna Chumber is a PhD Psychology student whose start‑up, ConnectedCulture, is reshaping how cultural perspectives are understood within mental health care.

ConnectedCulture is a growing educational platform that supports mental health professionals and communities to better recognise, respect, and respond to culturally informed experiences of mental illness. From understanding how symptoms are interpreted in different cultures to navigating stigma and intergenerational trauma, Henna is building resources that help bridge gaps in communication and care.

The idea emerged during a visit to Australia in 2024, where Henna noticed clear parallels between the underrepresentation she saw in their services and her own experiences working in UK mental health settings. Witnessing cultural misunderstandings first-hand—sometimes even being mocked—motivated her to take action. ConnectedCulture became her way of transforming frustration into impact.

Support

We asked Henna, what support from the B-Enterprising team did you receive?, she told us: “I had a 1:1 a couple of months ago where I was advised to apply for the start-up fund. It was really useful having a grounded conversation about my business ideas. I have always found the B-Enterprising team extremely friendly and approachable and I look forward to talking to them more!”

Henna has been able to move the project forward while balancing her part‑time PhD and three internships. The funding has helped her bring in support for admin, marketing, and preparing educational materials—freeing up time to focus on meaningful development.

Learning Process

• Progress takes time—and celebrating smaller milestones is essential.
• Resilience matters—staying rooted in your purpose keeps you going.
• Wearing many hats is tough, but the learning curve is worth it.

ConnectedCulture continues to grow alongside Henna’s PhD research into feelings of alienation within mental health care. Her long‑term ambition is for ConnectedCulture to become more than a business—a movement that shifts how we think about culture, community, and care.

 

Inspired by Henna’s journey?
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