There are so many varied, amazing and interesting businesses in and around Peterborough that we are lucky to have as clients. Over the last few weeks we have been interviewing some of the clients we work with. This helps them see the amazing achievements they have made in these uncertain times.
These interviews also help people in business see how other businesses are coping. Perhaps our readers will have a similar story, similar business or be inspired by what they read. In this interview we speak to Alison of Breakthrough Therapy Solutions. She tells us the changes she has made to ensure her business survives through this time.
Alison of Breakthrough Therapy Solutions is the Director of the business and an Occupational Therapist. They use Creative Content Company for blog writing and blog post ideas from time to time.
This is what Alison of Breakthrough Therapy Solutions has to say;
What is the business name and what does your business do normally?
Breakthrough Therapy Solutions Ltd. We are a children’s therapy service based in Eye, Peterborough providing therapy, support and training for children, their families and professionals.
How has CV-19 affected your business?
We had to close our therapy centre in line with the government guidance, with no face to face sessions. Our staff members are working from home where possible. Our income stopped overnight. We have had to move some of our classes and services online.
Have you changed your service offering to go online / digitally – if so, how?
Yes where possible, many of our sessions and services wouldn’t work online, but we are offering OT and Specialist Teacher consultations online via Skype and Zoom for those young people that can work in this way. For others we are consulting with and supporting the parent to work with the child. We are delivering sensory circuit sessions live on facebook every morning and have moved several of our classes online using zoom. We have got other resources available for purchase or download too.
What have you struggled most with during this time?
I was due to get married in May, so all my business planning was around preparing for time off, so I found it really difficult to re-engage with my plans and alter them, plus following government guidance as it changed and putting protocols in place was time consuming. I have had to furlough some staff at this time which wasn’t an easy decision to make.
Have there been any positive outcomes?
I have been able to finalise and develop some of the programmes and packages I’ve been thinking about for a while, developing my online offering opens up opportunities to be able to offer support to more families in different locations as we move forward so that’s good. I hate live videos of me so I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone to complete all the live videos.
How are you finding working from home?
Really challenging, it’s too easy to sit on the sofa with the laptop (as I’m doing now), and juggling my toddler with work is difficult, although sometimes humorous when he decides to play up to the camera on the facebook lives. Having my partner working from home too adds to the dynamics.
Where, if you’re home, are your working from?
The living room or the playroom usually. Although we can still access the therapy rooms for videos and lives.
Is your business closed for CV-19? Yes
What is keeping you going every day?
My toddler – I am really grateful for the extra time I have been given with him at this time.
What are you finding hardest during this time?
Juggling everything and the uncertainty of the situation (particularly finances).
What is your top tip for other business owners?
Control the controllable and look at the positive impact it could potentially have on your business.
Please say something positive about CV-19.
I’ve been asking for a spare week for the last year, so I’m very pleased to have some time to catch up.
What does your new ‘day in the life of’ look like?
Get up and dressed, run sensory circuits live, try and juggle work, managing the team and occupying toddler, a nice activity for little man, lunch and try and get the toddler to nap – usually a walk, focussed work, cook tea and eat together, then work some more while Daddy does bedtime.
Do you have a positive quote to keep others going?
“Everything can be taken from us but one thing: the freedom to choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances” ~ Viktor Frankl
So, that is how Alison of Breakthrough Therapy Solutions is coping through coronavirus. If you have read something of interest, please check out her business here. She has been incredible online over the last few weeks!
