In this episode of Chats with Changemakers, host Kate Duffy speaks with Lisa Cryer, a scientist-turned-social entrepreneur dedicated to improving youth mental health and wellbeing through innovative, preventative approaches. Lisa shares her journey from a career in scientific research to education, and ultimately into social enterprise, where she now focuses on empowering young people with tools to support their emotional resilience.

The conversation explores how Lisa’s personal experiences and professional transitions shaped her mission, including her time working in childhood illness research, her passion for teaching, and her eventual move into wellbeing after experiencing burnout. She discusses the founding of BlueJay Wellness CIC, and how the organisation delivers programmes centred around mindfulness, yoga, breathwork, and sensory tools to support early mental health intervention in schools and community settings.

Lisa also reflects on the importance of understanding your “why” as a guiding principle, drawing on frameworks such as Start With Why and Ikigai to explain how purpose can sustain both personal motivation and organisational direction.

Key Takeaways

• Lisa Cryer’s journey from scientist to social entrepreneur demonstrates how diverse career experiences can combine to create meaningful social impact.
  
• Early intervention is key in youth mental health, with preventative approaches like mindfulness and yoga helping to build resilience.
  
• Understanding and staying connected to your “why” is essential for sustaining purpose in both personal and professional contexts.
  
• Programmes that incorporate mindfulness, breathwork and sensory tools can support personalised wellbeing for children and young people.
  
• Collaboration over competition strengthens social impact initiatives and enables broader reach within communities.
  
• Creative tools, including storytelling and children’s books, can play an important role in engaging young audiences in mental health awareness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
 00:47 Meet Lisa Cryer
 01:28 From Scientist to Educator
 03:30 Discovering a Passion for Teaching
 04:40 Leaving Teaching & Finding Wellbeing
 05:22 Starting BlueJay Wellness CIC
 06:30 Supporting Young People’s Mental Health
 08:00 Mindfulness in Schools & Sensory Tools
 09:00 Working with Different Age Groups
 11:30 Measuring Impact & Building Toolkits
 14:23 Entrepreneur Journey & Lessons
 15:30 The Power of “Why” in Business
 16:30 Maze vs Labyrinth Mindset
 18:00 How You Can Support Lisa’s Mission
 19:00 Children’s Books & Literacy Work
 20:00 Collaboration Over Competition
 20:58 Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

Useful Links

Visit the BlueJay Wellness CIC Website

https://bluejaywellness.co.uk/

Connect with BlueJay Wellness CIC on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/BlueJayWellnessCIC/

Learn More About Roundabout Rabbits

roundaboutrabbits.co.uk

Connect with Lisa Cryer on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-milburn/?originalSubdomain=uk

Ready ‘Start with Why’ by Simon Sinek

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/0241958229

Connect with Kate Duffy and Junction Point CIC

● Website: https://junctionpoint.co.uk/

● LinkedIn:   / kateduffyuk  

● Facebook:   / junctionpointuk   

● Instagram:   / junctionpointcic   

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