News: UKSE backs chiropractor with Kickstart grant

An enterprising young medical professional from Rotherham has seen his new chiropractic service really take off since after receiving financial help from UK Steel Enterprise's Kickstart Fund.

Thomas Lawrence (23) from Wickersley, who only graduated as a trained and qualified chiropractor last July, launched Goose Lane Chiropractic Clinic in February this year. The clinic is open two days a week as Thomas splits his time between an associate practice in Scunthorpe and his own in Rotherham.

Thomas received £500 from the Kickstart Fund which is designed to pay for essential equipment or services that applicants need to start trading.

Applicants to the Kickstart Fund can get support from Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RIDO) and Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE) to help them with business planning and mentoring through the early stages. UK Steel Enterprise has helped over 200 people start a business in Rotherham since 2009.

Thomas said: "I'd been thinking about setting up on my own for some time and when I realised there was an un-serviced market in the area I just went for it. The grant I got from UK Steel was really helpful as I used it to pay for advertising and without that I would not have attracted my 70 new clients.

"It's really exciting to see the practice taking off and at some point in the near future I will be looking to take someone on to help me as I am fully booked most weeks now."

UK Steel Enterprise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel. Its Kickstart Fund provides grants of up to £500 to start-up businesses to purchase essential equipment and or services that can get them trading.

Keith Williams, regional manager for UK Steel Enterprise says Thomas is a case study in why The Kickstart Fund exists: "UK Steel Enterprise is all about supporting new and existing businesses so they can grow and create more employment opportunities. Thomas has a clear vision of where he wants to go, and we are pleased to see him enjoying so much early success; knowing that he is thinking about creating new jobs so soon is fantastic."

Jackie Frost, chief executive of RYE, added: "Thomas has made a promising start to his new business and we are pleased to have helped him in securing a grant to give it a real Kickstart. We hope that he will take advantage of the continued support offered by RYE to take his business to the next level."

Goose Lane Chiropractic Clinic website
UK Steel Enterprise website

Images: UK Steel Enterprise