Helping people start, grow and sustain
CICs, charities & social enterprises
Practical support. Honest advice. Real experience.
Why We Exist
Every successful community organisation starts with one person who believes things could be better. That person might be you. Over the years we’ve met countless people with brilliant ideas that could make a real difference in their communities. They had the passion and commitment, but often didn’t know where to start or who to turn to for trusted advice.
That’s why we created The Build Room, a one-stop shop for people who want to build Community Interest Companies (CICs), charities, social enterprises and community projects that make a lasting difference.
Whether you’re shaping a new idea, setting up a CIC or already leading an established organisation, we help you build something that lasts.
Who We Work With
- People with a brilliant idea who want to make a difference in their community but don’t know where to start.
- New CIC founders building organisations on strong foundations.
- Growing charities looking to strengthen governance, funding and long-term sustainability.
- Community projects ready to turn great ideas into lasting impact.
- Established social enterprises planning their next stage of growth.
Whether you need help choosing the right structure, writing funding applications, strengthening governance, creating sustainable income or simply talking an idea through with someone who’s been there before, we’re here to help.
No jargon. No unnecessary complexity. Just practical support, honest advice and experienced guidance.
Helping good people build great organisations that strengthen communities.
How We Help
Start
Helping people turn an idea into an organisation with strong foundations from day one.
Learn more →Grow
Supporting organisations to strengthen governance, improve systems and build confidence as they develop.
Learn more →Scale
Helping organisations secure funding, build partnerships and increase their impact.
Learn more →Sustain
Providing ongoing support, guidance and expertise to help organisations remain strong, resilient and sustainable.
Learn more →Whether you’re just getting started or already established, our goal is simple: to help you build something that lasts.
Built On A Simple Idea
Setting up and running a Community Interest Company taught us lessons no textbook ever could.
We experienced the excitement of turning an idea into reality, and the challenge of knowing where to start, finding suitable grants, writing funding bids, understanding governance, developing projects, building partnerships and creating an organisation that could survive and grow.
It seemed like every answer came from a different place. One organisation helped with CIC registration. Another specialised in funding. Someone else focused on governance. Another offered business support.
We spent years learning how all the pieces fit together. That’s why we created The Build Room: the one-stop shop we wish had existed when we started, bringing everything together under one roof.
Experience You Can Build On
The Build Room is built on real experience.
Before creating it, we established and led The Big Happiness Experiment CIC for over a decade, learning firsthand what it takes to build, grow and sustain a successful community organisation.
Everything we share comes from doing the work ourselves: securing funding, designing and delivering community programmes, building partnerships and navigating the challenges of running a CIC.
Today we continue that journey through our newly established Mental Wealth Community CIC, helping create stronger organisations and stronger communities.
Our Track Record
10+ Years
Establishing and leading our own Community Interest Company.
Nearly £1M
In grants and public-sector funding for our own Community Interest Company.
Hundreds
Through community programmes we designed and delivered.
Trusted
Working alongside local councils and authorities, the NHS, the British Army, military charities, charitable trusts, businesses and community partners.
Ready to build something that lasts?
Let's talk through your idea and explore the best way forward.