My Resilience Story: The Journey of Joyworks

Thank you so much for all your support and kindness in helping Joyworks win the inaugural Business Hero Award from @Collaborate! Feeling all the love! ❤️

This award celebrates small businesses that have bounced back from major setbacks, survived the COVID storm, and come back even stronger. Teresa—a small business hero herself—shared on the night (before I jumped up excited like a kid on Christmas Day) that Joyworks won a tight race for the Resilience Hero Award because of my story and support for others.

So, for those of you new to Joyworks or catching up, here is my story- I hope it inspires!

 

 

The Joyworks Journey
Sixteen years ago, I founded Joyworks with a vision to bring transformative change through the power of joy, laughter, creativity, and connection.

 

 

As Scotland’s first laughter therapy/ laughter yoga business, Joyworks introduced a pioneering approach to mental well-being, aimed at uniting people, reducing stress, combating isolation, and fostering health and happiness. By combining laughter therapy, laughter yoga, mindfulness, creative arts, and powerful drama strategies, Joyworks goes beyond traditional mental health support to offer a holistic and refreshing approach.

 

 

Personal Resilience and Passion
My journey to creating Joyworks is deeply personal. After losing my mother in tragic circumstances at a young age and experiencing my own battles with depression, I felt a calling to create a space where people could connect with joy for better mental health in the workplace and community. Through workshops and programmes across corporate, health, and education sectors, I quickly developed the celebrated and unique Joyworks Method.

 

This mission became even more urgent after I nearly lost my life to COVID-19 and then faced the challenging journey of living with severe Long Covid for three years.

 

As many amazing ‘heroes’ I get to work with say, ‘I just did what I had to do’. Although I did believe on many times due to how challenging it was to walk, talk and do simple things that I would have to change career which would have been devastating.

 

Looking back it was a gift, but it  definitely didn’t feel like that at  the time and I’m different in the way I approach this wonderful world because of it.

 

I not only recovered enough to pull Joyworks out of £10,000 in debt but also expanded our mission to support those facing chronic conditions and trauma.

 

How We Serve

 

From grassroots charities to blue-chip companies and industry giants, Joyworks has become a trusted provider of dynamic programmes for individuals, communities, and organisations. Our offerings include workshops, events, and our beloved Facebook community, The Joy Academy—15 years in the making, before Facebook groups were even a thing!

 

 

Now, I’m so much better and back to work with heart-centred companies, providing employee engagement initiatives, conference kick-offs, and fun, interactive keynotes. Between events, since 2010 I’ve trained over 200 Laughter Yoga Leaders, expanding the Joyworks family – many of whom have gone on to start their own laughter yoga businesses- bringing even more joy to the world.

 

Adaptation and Growth Through COVID-19

When the pandemic disrupted in-person gatherings, Joyworks quickly adapted, moving online to keep supporting our community with daily “Let’s Have a Joy-in Instead.” However, I succumbed to COVID in April, just as the pandemic was kicking off. It was a truly harrowing time, but the Joyworks team, my community, friends, and family had my back. After what seemed like a lifetime alone in my flat, I did get better.

 

Through platforms like the Gupta App for Chronic Illness, (which was a big part of my recovery initially before invited to deliver regular events) Joyworks connected with a global audience.

To support others with chronic conditions, in addition to the Joyworks for Confidence Programme I developed Joyworks for Self-Compassion and moved the renowned Laughter Yoga Leadership Training online. This also led to the creation of Joyworks for Wellness and Strengthening Relationships for Trauma-Informed Parenting, both of which have brought joy and support to those still struggling with the effects of Long Covid, chronic conditions, and trauma.

 

Winning this award is an incredible honour and a reflection of the resilience, passion, and joy at the heart of our community.

 

I’m deeply humbled.

 

Thanks so much to Collobor8te and all the judges for shining a light on small businesses making a big impact.  

 

Thank you so much again to my tribe , my  team Kate, Caroline, Ali, Steph, Carla who helped me share the joy as I got through serious illness and everyone who voted, supported, and shared my posts.

 

It’s been some joy ride!

 

Together, we’re proving that no matter the challenges, positive change is always possible through joy.

 

This epic recognition for making a difference has put such a fire in my belly and I can’t wait to see what we all do to create joy for change together!

 

Never give up.

 

Here are some snaps of an incredible evening with my two glamourous aunties who celebrated with me and my fellow winners!

 

P.s Watch out for a Black Friday special offer to celebrate!

Collabor8te Small Business Heroes Award Winners November 2024 – © Julie Broadfoot