I think I should win because of the progress I've made, because of my vision, and dedication to social enterprise ... because I have learnt so very very much, and developed so very very far, in the last 12 months, I have also achieved amazing things, possibly against the odds, and am hooked and totally absorbed and commited to building a world class social enterprise, which is committed to helping other frustrated unemployed mental distress sufferers get back into work via a massive life enhancing experience, that is teaming up to build MESOMOCO CIC, in common purpose, peer-support, teamwork, camaraderie, ... in creating a social enterprise that can and will be a model or template, and an inspiration, that can be replicated else where, by others like us.

Nominated by MESOMOCO, 21 April 2008

MESOMOCO CIC is 'newly born' social enterprise, and an innovative solution to the many dilemmas, issues and problems faced by unemployed mental distress sufferers, it will build skills, self-confidence, self-esteem, and help to develop those all important work life life habits, and routines (an is already doing so for the founders, two mental distress sufferers). It will provide sustainable, needs tolerant, employment for many who repeatedly attempt get and keep employment, but have found it so very, very difficult.

The mission is to build an excellent social business which can be used as an inspirational model or template by others The mission more specifically is to help frustratedly unemployed mental distress sufferers get back into work, via team work, camaraderie, learning, developing and growing, via common interest in building a social enterprise in technology, internet, gadgets, and mobile computing. It is also about using it's creative and technical skills in the fight against stigma, and also, is dedicated to producing digital products that meet the needs of the mental health community at large whenever and wherever possible. MESOMOCO CIC is also commited to growing up into a sustainable enterprise, no longer being needy, and infact, to pumping surplus funds after building, sustaining, and growing back into its communities.

Nominated by MESOMOCO, 21 April 2008

Richard is the very defintion of the word 'Entrepreneur' and of the word 'altruistic'; he is founding and building MESOMOCO CIC an amazing idea to help mental distress sufferers with the employment dilemma they all too often face, and is committed to using his creative and technical skills to fighting stigma ... he is a social activist with a business mind. He is led by his conscience and not his ego. He is passionate and driven by his experiences in mental health.

Nominated by Sarah-Jane Hunter, 03 May 2008

MESOMOCO CIC is a new mental health non-profit social enterprise, with a special interest in Mobile Technology/ Web2.0/ IT, ... it’s all about using that, as a focus for it's otherwise frustratedly unemployed mental distress sufferers. MESOMOCO CIC is a social firm, a little like Jamie Olivers Fifteen idea, but instead of young people and cooking, it's mental health service users. It is also using its creative and technical skills to fight stigma ... and build a service user/carer online social network.

MESOMOCO CIC has a website http://www.mesomoco.org.uk which it is using to build its profile, and also the profile of the mental health sufferer employment dilemma; it uses, integration with YouTube and a videoblog which discussed MESOMOCO CIC in the context of the mental health employment dilemma, and stigma, and the reality of having a history of mental health issues following you around ... there is also a wordpress blog which is news about MESOMOCO CIC and it's issues of interest ... Facebook is also used with discussion groups setup about 'Mental Health & Debt' and 'Mental Health Sufferer Employment' and also 'Friends of MESOMOCO' (and a fan page) which is bringing together like minded people in support of MESOMOCO and what it stands for. The social networking tool twitter is also being deployed via http://twitter.com/richardalan and http://twitter.com/mesomoco providing for a realtime flow of information, knowledge, and shared experiences ...

All this social media technology is bringing together a community of people around MESOMOCO CIC, with a common interest and purpose in mental health, and unemployment, ... medics, mental service users, carers, activists, nurses, OT's, employment specialists ... from all over the UK … next is http://mesomoco.net … it is a stand-a-lone social network being built, based on LAMP and Elgg, which is being built via distance collaboration from the inside out, by the users.

Nominated by MESOMOCO, 06 May 2008

I think Richard Cowling should win the Social Enterprise Trainee of the Year because he's been my carer for the last 8 years and frankly I've put him through hell, I've been so terrifyingly and disturbingly ill and most other people would have run for the hills, in fact most other people did run for the hills, but not Richard. He's been there supporting me, and keeping me safe, and standing up for me. My life would be so horrible without him. He's always there for me, and he has had to really push the barriers and boundaries as a carer and as someone who themselves must keep a balanced life to setup and found MESOMOCO, I've seen how much this new social enterprise means to him and seen how much he has had to learn and take on board to get his idea moving.

Thanks,

Sarah

Submitted by Sarah-Jane Hunter, 29 April 2008

PS We just launched (yesterday) NET.mesomoco.org.uk, (Beta v0.1), a new online private members club, a social network for mental distress sufferers/people with a history of mental health problems ... and carers too ... this is a new and additional free service from the social enterprise MESOMOCO CIC, which supplements, progresses and ehances its mission.

Submitted by MESOMOCO, 15 May 2008

I am adamant that Richard Cowling should win the Social Enterprise Trainee of the Year because his energy and commitment are just amazing. He has set up MESOMOCO and started NET.mesomoco.org.uk the new online private members club, a social network for anyone connected with mental health. He has a mission, he is an ideas man with drive and determination and a will to succeed. And he will succeed.

Judith

Submitted by Judith Haire, 07 June 2008

New Online Social Network for the Mental Health Community Launched

Today, the non-profit, MESOMOCO CIC launches its first service: a, free online social network for the mental health community.

Called NET.mesomoco.org.uk, this ‘gated-community’ was set up to support mental health sufferers, carers and other socially-minded organisations, such as the mental health registered charities.

It is hoped that NET.mesomoco.org.uk will enable people in the mental health space to connect, converse and collaborate – without the 'stigma' associated worries about who’s ‘listening in’.

It is also hoped that it will generate a positive affect amongst mental health sufferers.

The social network is strictly for people involved in mental health, including mental health service users, carers of mental distress sufferers, and those who have experience of mental health issues.

Members can use the network to:

 Privately Connect with others who share similar stories, experiences and goals

 Find resources and get support on mental health issues

 Engage in positive discussion around mental health with forums, blogs and community groups

 Search for information and collaborate in producing it, via a Mental Health Wiki

 Keep track of upcoming events like training courses, exhibitions, group meetings, seminars, and conferences

MESOMOCO CIC founder, Richard Cowling, set up NET.mesomoco.org.uk to address the needs of his fellow mental distress sufferers.

Richard believes that this new social network really will make a huge difference to the mental health community: “I’ve been through mental health problems myself, as a depression sufferer, and a loved one has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act a number of times. We found that having knowledgeable support available to us from people who had experienced similar issues really helped us to get through those difficult times. Now, by launching NET.mesomoco.org.uk, I hope to use my social media & software engineering skills to help other mental distress sufferers find the information, support, and advice they need when coping with their mental health struggles.”

For more information on this new mental health social network, go to NET.mesomoc.org.uk

- Ends -

For more information:

Richard Alan Cowling MESOMOCO CIC

Email: Richard@mesomoco.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0)7772 274 396

Ben Matthews Bright One Communications

Email: Ben@brightone.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0)7842 764 205

Submitted by Richard Cowling, 09 June 2008

Today, the non-profit, MESOMOCO CIC launches its first service: a, free online social network for the mental health community.

Called NET.mesomoco.org.uk, this ‘gated-community’ was set up to support mental health sufferers, carers and other socially-minded organisations, such as the mental health registered charities.

It is hoped that NET.mesomoco.org.uk will enable people in the mental health space to connect, converse and collaborate – without the 'stigma' associated worries about who’s ‘listening in’.

It is also hoped that it will generate a positive affect amongst mental health sufferers.

The social network is strictly for people involved in mental health, including mental health service users, carers of mental distress sufferers, and those who have experience of mental health issues.

Members can use the network to:

 Privately Connect with others who share similar stories, experiences and goals

 Find resources and get support on mental health issues

 Engage in positive discussion around mental health with forums, blogs and community groups

 Search for information and collaborate in producing it, via a Mental Health Wiki

 Keep track of upcoming events like training courses, exhibitions, group meetings, seminars, and conferences

MESOMOCO CIC founder, Richard Cowling, set up NET.mesomoco.org.uk to address the needs of his fellow mental distress sufferers.

Richard believes that this new social network really will make a huge difference to the mental health community: “I’ve been through mental health problems myself, as a depression sufferer, and a loved one has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act a number of times. We found that having knowledgeable support available to us from people who had experienced similar issues really helped us to get through those difficult times. Now, by launching NET.mesomoco.org.uk, I hope to use my social media & software engineering skills to help other mental distress sufferers find the information, support, and advice they need when coping with their mental health struggles.”

For more information on this new mental health social network, go to NET.mesomoc.org.uk

- Ends -

For more information:

Richard Alan Cowling MESOMOCO CIC

Email: Richard@mesomoco.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0)7772 274 396

Ben Matthews Bright One Communications

Email: Ben@brightone.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0)7842 764 205

Submitted by Richard Cowling, 09 June 2008

Thanks for the post. Poznovatelno.

Submitted by Ashot, 06 November 2008