Date published: 2025-12-01 | Category: Adult Social Care and Health, Business support , Delivering for local residents, Improving people's lives, Wellbeing support
A therapy dog, women’s walking football and support for people leaving hospital are among a growing list of small businesses providing care and wellbeing services to Bath & North East Somerset residents, thanks to a council-backed programme, Community Catalysts.
Community Catalysts B&NES, which held its first showcase event in Keynsham, has supported the growth of 46 small local businesses since its launch and is appealing for more businesses to get involved.
Among businesses taking part in the showcase was Skye from Phoenix Therapeutic Support UK and their therapy dog, Diesel, who help build independence and confidence for people living with mental illness or learning difficulties.
Joining them was Amanda Bachrach, who manages the Somer Valley Strikers Walking Football Group, a women’s football team empowering women to be more confident, improve their fitness and make new friendships.
Esme Neale, who runs Enabling You, the most recent business to join Community Catalysts B&NES, said: “Through Community Catalysts, I hope to bridge the gap for care for people coming out of hospital, supporting with companionship and helping them to remain independent in their homes for as long as possible.”
Councillor Alison Born, Cabinet Member for Adult Services at B&NES Council, said: “The council commissions Community Catalysts to help expand the range of care and wellbeing services for residents who need additional support. The showcase was a great opportunity to see first-hand how small business are making a big impact in our communities. I encourage anyone who is thinking about or has recently set up their own care or wellbeing business to make use of the free help and expertise on offer from the Community Catalyst development programme.”
Iris Roberston Davis was looking for local support as she recovered from a knee operation, when she found Verity Elsbury, who runs Chew Valley Care and Support. She said: “I am very independent. I didn’t want to be a worry for my family and wanted to remain active. Verity helped me with my exercises and we hit it off together straight away. It was lovely to welcome Verity, and her smiling face, into my home.”
Verity, who started her Community Catalyst care business to balance work around childcare, added: “Offering companionship often improves physical health as well as mental wellbeing as, a lot of the time, physical health can be impacted by anxiety and isolation. I am proud of myself to be able to care and be a mother at the same time, something which I didn’t think was possible before joining Community Catalysts.”
Are you supporting potentially vulnerable adults in B&NES or have expertise in this area?
The Community Catalyst development programme can help you start or grow your business, working in partnership to improve the lives of residents. To register your interest, visit the Community Catalyst B&NES enquiry page or contact Michael Auton, B&NES Community Catalysts, on 07443 191851 or email Michael.auton@communitycatalysts.co.uk.
For a full list of local services offered by Community Catalysts B&NES, visit: https://www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/smallgoodstuff/bath-and-north-east-somerset/
Phoenix Therapeutic Support UK therapy dog, Diesel, at the Community Catalyst event.
Therapy dog, Diesel, in action - photograph taken by Phoenix Therapeutic Support UK.
Amanda Bachrach, manager of Somer Valley Strikers Walking football group, at the Community Catalyst event.
Esme Neale, from Enabling You, photographed at the Community Catalyst event.