#SBS Small Business Sunday, created by retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, is proud to announce a meaningful mental health campaign to mark its 15th anniversary celebrations. The campaign will be launched in collaboration with Able Futures who, led by Ingeus, deliver the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This collaboration will shine a spotlight on a vital issue often overlooked in the small business world: the mental health of entrepreneurs.
Running your own business can be rewarding, but it can also feel isolating, challenging and overwhelming. Many entrepreneurs push their wellbeing to the bottom of the priority list when building their business, even though good mental health is fundamental to both personal and commercial success. As Theo notes, “If you can’t show up for yourself, you cannot show up for your business.”
About the Collaboration
Able Futures provides up to nine months of confidential mental health support and coaching for anyone struggling with mental wellbeing while working, including small business owners, with no waiting list and at no-cost.
The support is practical, flexible and tailored to each individual – delivered through telephone calls, video sessions or in person meetings, depending on personal preference. The programme is designed to help business owners develop coping strategies, build resilience, and take care of themselves so they can, in turn, take care of their businesses. Through this collaboration, the #SBS community – one of the UK’s largest, most vibrant networks of small business owners – will be made aware of Able Futures’ resources and services.
As part of our campaign, we’re encouraging both the #SBS community and the Able Futures network to complete a short ‘mental health survey’. The survey will act as a valuable litmus test, giving us insight into the wellbeing of our nation’s entrepreneurs, highlighting the pressures they face and helping us identify where further support may be needed.
Theo Paphitis, retail entrepreneur and founder of #SBS, commented: “Running a small business can be exciting but also extremely demanding, and it is essential our business owners feel supported when it comes to mental health and wellbeing. Collaborating with Able Futures gives our community access to invaluable expertise and support, so they don’t have to face challenges alone. Mondays are no longer just about celebrating our #SBS winners, they’re also about supporting the small business community as a whole. This 15th anniversary is about celebrating resilience, community, and our incredible entrepreneurs, and prioritising mental health is a huge part of that.”
Mental Health Month – October 2025
The launch coincided with International Mental Health Month in October. Throughout the month, #SBS and Able Futures have been running a special campaign, Mental Health Mondays, sharing resources, insights and practical tools every Monday. These are designed to encourage small business owners to prioritise their mental wellbeing and remind them that support is available whenever it is needed.
Why This Matters
Too many entrepreneurs face sleepless nights, battle never ending to-do lists, or experience burnout but suffer in silence. With the year’s busiest trading season approaching, #SBS and Able Futures want to ensure no small business owner feels unsupported. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, pressures linked to business performance, or simply needing someone to talk to, Able Futures is here to help.
Get Involved
The month-long campaign, which kicked off on Monday 6th October, aims to ensure that small business owners, no matter where they are in the UK, know that support is out there. This 15th anniversary initiative reflects #SBS’s commitment to not just celebrating small businesses, but actively offering them the tools, networks, and services to thrive.
You can find more information on Able Futures HERE.
