We visited Minus Cloud Nine, a creative business on the Create South East programme making a big difference to the local community.
Minus Cloud Nine founder, Charlotte Robinson, is a member of our first programme cohort. Operating in Essex, her creative business has mental health at it’s heart, Charlotte wants people to view her brand as an “invitation to have open and honest conversations about mental health”.
The day was a great opportunity to learn more about how Minus Cloud Nine works, meet the community, and also reflect on our own outlook towards mental health, which was fitting as we visited the Minus Cloud Nine space on #GetTalking day.
Working out of ‘The Creative Hub Brentwood’, founder Charlotte has worked with the Brentwood council to curate a space which helps to facilitate her business. Currently running workshops from the hub, as well as selling her fashion goods and other small businesses work, she hopes that eventually the space will be able to double as a therapy room.
Having had personal experience with mental health struggles, as well as supporting others, Charlotte is passionate about using her business to empower people to talk about their mental health. Minus Cloud Nine’s name and branding are inspired by the idea that mental health can feel ‘like a black cloud hanging over you’. Her aim with the business is to make therapy and mental health care more accessible to as many people as possible.
Charlotte said that she has found the programme mentorship ‘invaluable’ and that it has helped give her the confidence to back her business and ask for what she needs.
We loved getting to experience some of the Minus Cloud Nine creative workshops on our visit and came away with lots of crafts that we’d made throughout the day. Charlotte uses creative workshops to encourage people to work with their hands and help them get talking. We tried various printing techniques for pillows and bags, and even made our own iconic Minus Cloud Nine scrunchy.
As well as workshops, Minus Cloud Nine also has a fashion brand offering a range of hoodies, sweatpants, t-shirts and even jewellery. All of Charlotte’s designs continue to have mental health at their heart, as well as harnessing her passion for creating as Charlotte designs and illustrates all of her own products.
To find out more about Minus Cloud Nine visit their website here or check out our video blog of the day!
