OU grant scheme helps new entrepreneurs with disabilities in Wales

A new fund from The Open University has given financial support to business creators across the UK. The £25,000 pot is being offered to help new entrepreneurs with disabilities to kickstart their businesses. Among the twelve grant winners were two Welsh Open University students, Emma and Christopher.

Psychology student Emma received the early-idea grant for her scheme to provide primary school resources to improve wellbeing for pupils. Her idea hopes to improve students’ abilities to manage changes like transition.

Chris, who also studies psychology, won the idea-stage grant for his coaching business idea for people with ADHD.

Meet Chris

After being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 40, Chris decided to learn more about his condition. He used platforms like YouTube to find resources that helped him to better understand his diagnosis, and the symptoms he’d experienced that he’d never understood before. 

This was the inspiration for his new business idea. He aims to give one-to-one coaching for people with his condition, as well as videos and other resources on the things he has learnt about ADHD more broadly. The resources helped him when he was initially diagnosed, and he wants to impart this support onto others.

‘Using my lived experience of ADHD and my qualifications in media, teaching, and psychology, it is my aim to set up and grow an ADHD coaching provision that is supplemented by an array of informative and entertaining social media,’ said Chris. ‘Whether signed up to my one-to-one coaching service or simply enjoying my online content, I want people to feel able to join in on a journey where we make sense of our struggles and discover the unique and valuable strengths that people ADHD possess.’

Chris began studying with the OU during the pandemic in 2020 as a part-time student. 

‘Prior to my OU studies I did a degree at a brick-and-mortar university 20 years ago and have gone to college. This is by far the best education experience I’ve had,’ added Chris. ‘Watching the recorded tutorials when you want and the virtual learning environment helps, especially with neurodiversity as you’re able to get the most out of it. I was blessed with having great tutors too.’

While he is currently concentrating on his final year of studies, he can’t wait to get started on his business. He is already planning how to best use his grant and is currently thinking about key partners and activities. Once he has completed his studies, he plans to register the business straight away.