CForYourself: Self employment and the Helen Barrett Bright Idea Awards

This year, Cystic Fibrosis Trust is celebrating 10 years of the Helen Barrett Bright Idea Awards. The award was established in memory of Helen Barrett, an entrepreneur with CF who, together with her partner, launched a successful gym that is still thriving today. 

From dog grooming businesses to clothing brands, scriptwriters to bakers, over the years our Helen Barrett Bright Idea Awards have helped many people kickstart their dream career, providing financial support to adults with CF who dream of starting their own business. 

In today’s episode, Lucy chats to three incredible winners of the award. Maggie, who won the 2024 award and runs a private chef business. Polly, who is a past winner and a published author, and Jimmy, who is now part of the team at the Trust who helps run the awards, having won it himself back in 2022.

In a wide-ranging conversation, they chat all about their CF journey, their businesses, and how being self employed helps them to manage cystic fibrosis.

This year’s awards will be open to applicants in the summer, keep an eye on our social media for more information coming soon!

• For more information and support on any of the issues we've talked about in this podcast, you can call our Helpline on 0300 373 1000, or email helpline@cysticfibrosis.org.uk, or message us on WhatsApp.
• Self employment - If you’d like more information on self employment, check out our dedicated website hub.
• Helen Barrett Bright Idea Awards - Read more about the awards and previous winners. 
• Work and CF - Our Work Forwards programme is here to empower people with cystic fibrosis to fulfill their career dreams and aspirations. Find out more about Work Forwards and how we can support you.
• CF Forum - Join the conversation on our Forum and connect with other people with CF. 
• Find out more about CForYourself at www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/podcast.