Leeds Arts University alumna Michaela Lesayova has been placed as Regional Winner and National Finalist in The Ingenuity Programme for her initiative, livingwell.
The Ingenuity Programme works with thirty university partners across the UK to create businesses with impact. Participants of the seven month online programme respond to one of three challenges; building stronger communities, improving health, or tackling climate change; and create a business or initiative to improve these challenges in their local, regional or national communities.
Image: Michaela Lesayova (left) with Elli Whitefoot, Assistant Careers, Employability and Enterprise Manager, Leeds Arts University at the Ingenuity award ceremony, 2022.
Michaela developed livingwell while working through The Ingenuity Programme’s Develop Platform. The platform encourages participants to identify and develop their idea into a business, and submit a brief business plan to compete for significant investment and specialist support.
Michaela was one of eighteen teams that made it through to the 2022 Ingenuity National Finals, as well as being awarded Regional Winner. Her business offers applied creative and nature-connection practices and activities to promote better and more sustainable emotional and core wellbeing of the autistic adult’s community.
Image: Michaela Lesayova.
Michaela says of her win, "It has been such an incredible and rewarding experience to be selected as a Regional Winner for the Ingenuity Showcase, the awards have given me the opportunity to promote better and more sustainable emotional and core wellbeing of the autistic adults community. I am grateful for having my work with livingwell recognised and I am hoping this will empower and advocate for the autistic adults community going forward."
Michaela studied Access to Higher Education in Art and Design at Leeds Arts University graduating in 2018.
You can read more about livingwell on their official website - www.living-well.space.
You can also follow livingwell on Instagram - www.instagram.com/___livingwell.
Image: Michaela Lesayova at the Ingenuity award ceremony, 2022.