For many people, stress is treated as an individual’s failure. Ultimately, it’s seen as something to push through. Stress prevention is managed quietly, or addressed only once it becomes overwhelming.
But for preventive medicine specialist and Mile Rainbow CIC founder Hong Zhou, stress is a public health issue that demands prevention, not just treatment.
Like a physical vaccine protects the body, Mile Rainbow CIC provides what Hong calls an “Emotional Vaccine”. A preventative approach designed to strengthen emotional resilience and emotional intelligence before stress escalates into more serious physical or mental health conditions.
Preventitive medicine as community care
Hong is a preventive medicine specialist with experience working across NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Centres and mental health initiatives. Despite her medical training, she found herself struggling with stress-related illness and mental health challenges.
I received psychotherapy for years without full recovery. Because very few of us are taught how to address the root causes of stress at home, in education, or at work.
That gap between treatment and stress prevention became the foundation for Mile Rainbow CIC.
How to prevent stress: Mile Rainbow CIC
Mile Rainbow CIC delivers an Emotional Vaccine, designed to centre stress prevention through group-based workshops that blend Western and Eastern approaches to wellbeing. Sessions combine physical, creative, and intellectual activities, including:
- Dance and gentle martial arts.
- Calligraphy and creative practice.
- Shared learning grounded in Western health science, neuroscience, psychology, emotional intelligence, and integrative medicine.
This holistic model recognises that emotional resilience is not built through information alone, but through embodied, social, and culturally responsive practices.
Addressing stress prevention: a systemic challenge
Since March 2022, with funding from 15 organisations, including local councils, the NHS NCEL, Compass Wellbeing CIC, and the London Marathon Foundation, Mile Rainbow CIC has reached over 4,000 participants. These include young people, women, older adults, and immigrants.
The work of Mile Rainbow CIC responds to a widespread and urgent issue.
Hong says, ‘around a quarter of GP appointments involve medically unexplained symptoms linked to stress. While GPs can refer patients to mental health services, long waiting lists and treatment-led models often fail to address underlying causes.
Our approach prioritises early intervention and prevention, tackling issues before they escalate.’
As a result of prioritising early intervention, Mile Rainbow CIC supports people before stress escalates into crisis. Hong explained to us that this is particularly important for those facing additional barriers to accessing care.
The impact to date has been significant:
Around 90% of participants report improved confidence in managing stress.
Participants have reported increased physical activity.
Participants have reported having stronger social connections after taking part.
Hong’s experience with Hatch Enterprise
Hong completed Hatch Enterprise’s Accelerator programme, an iteration of our latest-stage programme.
Hong’s cohort was specifically designed for social entrepreneurs, funded by City Bridge Foundation. The programme aimed to support founders who are ready to refine their model, strengthen their strategy, and prepare for the sustainable growth of their social impact.
I completed the... City Bridge Accelerator and particularly benefited from the marketing and sales modules. The programme helped me clarify our marketing approach, enabling us to expand our services beyond Waltham Forest.
Since completing the programme, Mile Rainbow CIC have expanded their stress prevention services into Newham, Islington, and Tower Hamlets. Mile Rainbow CIC is now reaching more communities while staying rooted in its preventative mission.
Recognition and collaboration
Mile Rainbow CIC’s work has been recognised nationally, reflecting both the quality of the model and the urgency of the challenge it addresses.
Recent recognition includes:
Winner: Waltham Forest Pride Awards 2025 (Enterprise for All)
Finalist:
National BAME Health & Care Awards 2025 (three categories)
NatWest SE100 Awards 2025 (Diversity Pioneer)
BDO Private Business Awards 2025 (Social Enterprise of the Year)
Foundervine Future Awards 2025 (Ally of the Year)
The organisation has also been commended by Sported UK for collaboration and partnerships, and recognised among: The Wise100 List of top 100 female-led social enterprises in the UK. • Newable’s Open London Innovators. • Academic and institutional collaborations include University of East London, UCL East, Waltham Forest College, and the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability.
How to manage stress: Hong’s advice for other underrepresented entrepreneurs
Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, Hong gave us three reflections for other underrepresented entrepreneurs navigating stress:
- Prioritise emotional resilience as a core entrepreneurial skill, not a luxury.
- Know your unique value, and be clear about the problem you are solving.
- Be willing to build from the ground up, even when the journey feels slow.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, Mile Rainbow CIC continues to expand its reach and refine its approach to stress prevention. In February 2026, the organisation will expand into Greenwich with its Emotional Vaccine: Move, Create and Connect programme. The programme is free to attend and open to the local community.
Browse Mile Rainbow CIC’s upcoming events, empowering business owners and communities through movement, creativity, connection and wellbeing:
Emotional Vaccine: Move, Create & Connect
Launching in the Royal Borough of Greenwich this February.
Where: Eltham Library & the historic 400-year-old Charlton House
A joyful, evidence-informed wellbeing program to boost mental resilience and emotional intelligence.
Women & Wellbeing: A Founder Experience
When: Friday 27th February 2026
Where: Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability
An inspiring and practical founder experience on how to build and grow your business without sacrificing your wellbeing.
Brain Food Series – East Asian Rhythm & Movement
When & where: Leyton Sports Ground | Walthamstow Library | Saturdays
A unique, side-effect-free form of physiotherapy and psychotherapy supporting brain health, mobility, balance and emotional wellbeing through rhythmic movement.
For Hatch Enterprise, stories like Hong’s demonstrate what’s possible when underrepresented founders receive targeted, stage-appropriate support.
To us, growth-stage enterprise support is not just about building businesses; it’s about building the founders’ confidence to enable the expansion of solutions to societal challenges that might otherwise go unrealised, or take significant time to build without external support.
Our beneficiaries are transforming their lived experiences and expertise into lasting impact.
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