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Posted: Wed 29th Jul 2026
Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.
This series explores the practical steps small businesses can take to grow and thrive – from improving energy efficiency and embracing sustainability to creating a lasting impact in their local communities.
In this episode of the series, we're joined by Charlie Duckworth, founder of Community Sauna Baths, the not-for-profit social enterprise making sauna and cold plunge more affordable and accessible across London.
Charlie shares how the idea came together after the pandemic, why he wanted to create a regular, community-focused sauna experience outside of expensive gyms and spas, and how the business grew from a low-cost garden site into a five-site operation.
He also talks about operating as a community interest company, working with local authorities, funding outreach sessions and building a wider movement through the Community Sauna Network.
Why Charlie wanted to create a regular sauna experience that focused on heat, cold and social connection
Setting up as a community interest company and why the not-for-profit model mattered from the start
Finding a landlord willing to take a chance on the idea and starting in a low-fi garden space
Funding new sites through pre-sale tickets, discounted sessions, small loans and reinvested income
How Community Sauna Baths uses paid tickets to fund outreach, free sessions and local community work
Working with the NHS through social prescribing and bringing people into sauna through GP referrals
Charlie's ambition to bring community sauna facilities to every London borough by 2030
You can also listen on other platforms and Enterprise Nation.
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