From benefits to yoga business

Yoga teacher Samantha Garstin from Salisbury has proved that setting up a new business during a pandemic doesn’t have to be a stretch – thanks to Universal Credit supporting her to balance part-time work with her new career ambitions.

It’s a story of how Garstin, 40, who calls herself a Menstrual Wellness & Embodiment Coach, managed to set up her own yoga business with state support despite all the challenges posed by lockdowns and lack of access to other funding.

Last year, she received various government-backed help, including finding part-time work in marketing at a local estate agent designing its website. She was also put.