From Community Fundraising Course to Establishing a CIC

Discover how our Community Fundraising course equipped Mirjana Radojcic with the knowledge and support required to set up her own CIC, Mimi Therapy.

“Since January 2017, I have worked with children with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) in the private sector. These include conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence. Throughout these years, I have harboured a strong desire to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds—removing financial barriers so that every child can access the help they need, regardless of their circumstances. Motivated by this vision, I began exploring funding opportunities. However, I quickly discovered that very few trusts or funding bodies support individuals like myself working independently in education.

In December 2024, a close friend who was aware of my passion for this cause informed me about Westway Trust and an upcoming course they were launching in January 2025, titled Community Fundraising. This course, newly accredited by the Open College Network (OCN), offered a unique opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills I lacked. I was absolutely delighted to be accepted, despite not residing in the borough.

At the time, I was a complete novice in areas such as community engagement, organisational structures within the non-profit sector, and the intricacies of running a charity or social enterprise. The course was incredibly enlightening—it not only covered the practical dos and don’ts but also opened doors to invaluable connections with a range of funders and professionals.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience was learning from my fellow course participants as well as the knowledgeable tutors. Many of the women I met became close friends. One particularly generous course-mate guided me through the process of setting up my own Community Interest Company (CIC), even agreeing to become one of its directors. She shared her own journey and resources, saving me a great deal of time and effort in tasks such as choosing a bank, opening a business account, and identifying the necessary policies and documentation. And she was not the only one offering such support. The level of encouragement and solidarity within our group was, and continues to be, remarkable.

This experience has been transformative, both personally and professionally. There are moments when I feel the need to pinch myself, just to confirm that all of this is truly happening. Even before completing the course, I learned that I could apply for up to three days of free one-to-one support from a specialist to help with funding applications, simply by submitting an online request. This journey has profoundly changed my outlook on life. I no longer feel apprehensive; instead, I feel empowered, confident that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to. Most importantly, I know that I have a supportive network of peers who genuinely care about my growth and progress. To date, I have already submitted five funding applications, and this is just the beginning.

I am excited about the journey ahead and truly hopeful about the impact Mimi Therapy CIC will have on the lives of children who need it most.”

Find out more

Visit Mimi Therapy for more details on Mirjana’s work.