Nikhwat Marawat is a Birmingham City University graduate, who started a business based on his life struggles. The Delicate Mind is now a charity which serves the BAME/ Muslim diaspora through their mental health work aiming to help others.
Nikhwat, tell us about yourself…
“I studied law at BCU from 2013-2018 and graduated with a 2.1 after a lot of struggles with my mental health.
I am interested in entrepreneurship because I see it as way to give purpose to something you care about and as a means to live on terms that are more your own because often life is already so much about compromise.”
Tell us more about your start up…
“I had lost my brother to suicide and made a decision to not be a victim of this circumstance and put purpose to my pain, I was willed to action and this led to me setting up The Delicate Mind with the help of my colleagues. We came together under the remit of serving the BAME/ Muslim diaspora through our mental health work as we saw a gap and niche for ourselves given our own life experiences of mental health.”
What made you jump at the chance of coming on BSEEN?
“I was taken by the grant as money is a material way to help ideas to happen. I was also interested by the guidance and tutelage available across the programme as it is important to have mentors to help and guide you. I found the process fun in conceptualising the idea and presenting it to the relevant people and hearing their responses to our idea.”
What do you think you have learned the most from your BSEEN journey?
“Each day that you have is unique and carries with it its own challenges and strengths. Plan for the future but always respond to the day as it is and take control of what you can during it, otherwise life will happen to you. The time you have been given is a precious gift.”
What has been your business stand out moment since being on BSEEN?
“We have had much success that we are all proud of and grateful to have achieved.
We have expanded rapidly month by month, been featured across multiple media platforms and began working with reputable organisations such as prisons (HMP Stafford), youth clubs (YMCA Coventry and Warwickshire), faith organisations (The Inter Faith Network) the third sector (Common Purpose) and public health bodies (Public Health Birmingham).
We were recently the representative on behalf of the United Kingdom for the British Council for their active citizens programme which brings together people from all over the globe and our co director was featured in the new year’s honours list for services to mental health and integration in Birmingham and London.
Check our website out to learn more about our story and get involved!”
Any advice for entrepreneurial students or graduates thinking about starting their own business?
“Have an end goal in mind and be sure to communicate this vision with people so they wish to join you. As human beings we connect with people emotionally and so long as you have a clear vision in your mind and heart, you can elevate your own energy and inspire others to want to come with you on your journey.
Have a plan, be strategic and set out to do something that makes an impact whatever that may be. You will experience setbacks and hardship but if your purpose is clear, every day that you put in gets you closer to where you want to be. And commit to it!
It’s a journey not a destination.”
What are your next steps for your business?
“We are restructuring from a C.I.C to a CIO and actively seeking volunteers and supporters to get on board to help us upscale The Delicate Mind in areas such as social media reach, fundraising, internal development, mental health community support and project delivery. Do reach out to us if you’re interested in getting involved. We always focus on your personal self-development and can find a role that suits your strengths.
We see an urgent need to support people across the UK during the current COVID- outbreak and to provide the needed care afterwards as well. We are an interfaith organisation with a set niche but understand mental health impacts all walks of life in a multitude of ways. We see our existence as a solution to deal with these ever-growing problems given that depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
We hope to see you get involved with us and wish you well on your path.”
Find out more information about The Delicate Mind by heading to their Website, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn page.
The Delicate Mind has also been featured in various other publications:
