Health and wellbeing business case studies

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy method designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that has been found to be as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) while taking effect faster and being less distressing for the client.

There are few services offering this locally (most directories don’t find any) and clients report it is essentially inaccessible without travel to places like Glasgow. I wished to open a local service due to working with trauma regularly but required support to fund the training. 

Learn more about Progress Psychotherapy.

EMDR training and certification

50% of the training fees were received on 14 February 2024 from East Ayrshire Council (EAC) business grants and I undertook the training. Fitness to practice was granted on 3 May 2024 upon completion of the first part of the training.

Six individuals have received this treatment since then in the Ingram Enterprise Centre covering a range of traumas such as being first on scene to a death, road traffic accidents and various forms of abuse.

Clients report significant reductions in:

• distress
• flashbacks
• nightmares 
• anxiety with improvements to:

• • mood
  • social engagement
  • coping with returning to work
  • self-esteem

Many report that symptoms such as flashbacks are starting to fade away entirely. The venue at the Centre and the support to engage with the training have been essential. The first three clients are receiving their first six sessions free as I was able to take less from the business account due to receiving funding.

I will undergo further training and assessment across the year and (as long as the training provider hits the numbers to go ahead when planned) should have final certification in December. Thereafter, the EMDR service will be publicly marketed along with other therapeutic methods I offer (but anyone identified as in particular need before this will receive it).

Appreciation for local business support

I was moved to write this account to evidence how useful local business support is and express my gratitude for it. I began renting an office in the Ingram Centre in 2021. At that time there was a significant push to make remote therapy the default even after the pandemic for financial reasons.

Many of my clients, especially those who are more vulnerable, stated that this was not realistic for them. The feedback is that the office enables them to engage with mental health concerns in a way that feels safer and is more directly supported by me than a video or phone call could allow. The office being in Kilmarnock reduces both the financial and psychological barriers that come from travel.

Some may not be able to afford public transport to Glasgow on top of the session fee or their issues may make travel for any distance but local unrealistic until things improve. Services here in our community matter even more to the people most in need. 

Funding process 

EAC business support guided me through the funding process for half of the training fees. This helped the project in two ways.

Firstly, I could begin much sooner than having to raise the full amount. This means the service was operating much sooner than otherwise.

Secondly, the reduced expenses meant I could offer three individuals who have experienced trauma a block of EMDR sessions free. This helped me meet the practice requirement for final certification (successful treatment of at least three PTSD cases) and provided more accessible help for local people.

The support services that exist in East Ayrshire are excellent and were one of the factors that have enabled my practice to treat hundreds of people locally since 2019. 

In 2011, Sean Walls and his business partner opened The Optical Factory, which went on to win multiple awards for their commitment to offer the absolute best in customer care within the area. In 2015, they expanded their services to include hearing care. It was during this time that Sean discovered that his true passion was helping people transform their lives through improved hearing.

Sean became director of Kilmarnock Hearing Care Ltd in July 2020. With the help of SCMG, particularly Sandy and Martin through the BeReady programme, Sean and the team have managed to win numerous local tenders which has helped the business to grow.

Through the Community Wealth Building (CWB) officers and Growth advisers from the East Ayrshire Council (EAC) business support team, they have also been able to upgrade their local offices, adding further services, which has attracted a high number of new patients.

Support and projects have taken place over a period of time from July 2022 to February 2024.

Current state

Kilmarnock Hearing Care Ltd were made aware of the Ayrshire Growth Deal project (AGD) support through their dealings with the EAC business support team, which has allowed them to embark on their growth journey.

The project's success can be quantified through several key metrics:

• Increased production - The new medical equipment and investment in clinics allowed Kilmarnock Hearing Care to assist more patients and support over run local GPs and Doctors surgeries within the area
• Time savings - The reduction in time for seeing patients with the new hearing and audiology medical equipment has enabled the company to hire further local staff and see to more patients on a daily and weekly basis
• Financial efficiency - Although the specific financial details (investment and savings) are not provided, the time savings and increased production capacity likely resulted in significant cost savings and revenue growth

The project was a collaborative effort:

• Kilmarnock Hearing Care Leadership - Sean Walls, Director. Key driver within all of the businesses projects and business growth
• Support from East Ayrshire Council - The local business support team provided grant support through the CWB fund – adviser Laurie Ross - which was crucial in facilitating the projects
• BeReady Programme - Utilising the support of SCMG – Sandy and Martin – Procurement Consultancy. This was vital for the business in order for them to understand Public Contract Scotland and how to tender for local contracts
• Fair Work Team - Allana McLachlan for facilitating the Fair Work Action plan for Sean at Kilmarnock Hearing Centre – helping support the business in becoming an employer of choice and also receiving accreditation for the Real Living Wage

Future state

Sean at Kilmarnock Hearing Care sees further opportunities for support from the AGD and plans to maintain ongoing engagement with EAC business officers going forward. This continued support is expected to drive sustained business growth, foster local community connections, and help achieve net-zero targets.

Regular updates on available support and networking opportunities and workshops will ensure Kilmarnock Hearing Care remains competitive and innovative in the evolving market landscape across not only EAC but further afield.

By investing in their clinics and in updated medical equipment it has shown that this is extremely important in supporting the business to keep energy costs low and growth further by increasing local staff members over the last two years. Not only is the business thriving but they are growing at a rapid pace and now have numerous branches opening across Scotland.

Quote from the director

Thanks to the advisers within EAC for supporting us through our applications for consultancy and CWB.  Business within Kilmarnock Hearing Centre has been really good. Our Kilmarnock clinic is as busy as ever and we have recently opened a clinic in Paisley, so things have been pretty full on.

I managed to win the tender that Sandy from SCMG helped me with through the BeReady Programme. I was contacted on 16th July to say we were the preferred bidder. This tender will be amazing for our business growth.

Cortex Physiotherapy first joined the Ingram Enterprise Centre in February 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting journey in specialist rehabilitation services. Just two months later, in April 2025, Iain and his partner Dionne transitioned into a larger office space to accommodate their rapidly growing client base and expanding range of services. This move reflects the increasing demand for Cortex’s expertise and their commitment to providing high-quality, personalised care.

Cortex Physiotherapy specialises in rehabilitation for individuals living with neurological conditions such as stroke, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and Muscular Dystrophy. Their team also has extensive experience in managing complex physiotherapy cases, offering tailored treatment plans that address each client’s unique needs. Initially, services were delivered exclusively through home visits, allowing clients to receive care in the comfort of their own environment. However, as the business grew and the scope of services widened, the need for a dedicated therapy clinic became evident.

The new premises at the Ingram Enterprise Centre have enabled Cortex to significantly enhance their service offering. With access to purpose-built facilities, the team can now deliver a broader range of rehabilitation therapies in a professional and supportive setting. This development has not only improved the efficiency of care delivery but also created a welcoming space for clients to engage in their recovery journey.

Quote from the Director

“Our new premises enable us to offer a wider range of rehabilitation services, ensuring our clients receive the targeted support they need to enhance their recovery and quality of life,”

Iain Legge, Owner and Director at Cortex Physiotherapy.

Cortex’s growth is a testament to their dedication, expertise, and the positive impact they continue to make in the lives of those they serve.

Before launching her hypnotherapy business, Louise Hamilton spent 24 years working as a Commercial Accountant for a global energy company. In 2022, after a prolonged period of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression, she chose to leave her corporate career in search of a more balanced and meaningful life. Inspired by her own experiences, she retrained as a hypnotherapist with the aim of helping others facing corporate burnout and mental health challenges.

Early in her practice, Louise discovered a natural niche that aligned with her personal interests. As a competitive horse owner, she realised that many riders struggled with fear, anxiety and confidence issues that affected their performance and enjoyment. This led to a growing demand for equestrian‑focused hypnotherapy, alongside her general anxiety work.

After completing her training in May 2023, Louise’s business expanded quickly. Four months later, an equestrian social media influencer booked sessions with her and publicly shared the positive outcomes online. This exposure resulted in Louise becoming fully booked at 20 sessions per week with a four‑month waiting list, a pace she maintained for a year. By October 2024, however, bookings slowed.

Having relied solely on word of mouth, she began networking, delivering talks and improving her visibility. When business dipped again in September 2025, she realised her informally built website lacked SEO optimisation and sought expert support from Business Gateway.

Current state

Louise approached Business Gateway to help improve her website’s performance and increase online traffic. In October 2025, she attended an initial hour‑long consultation with Business Gateway adviser Cameron Singleton to discuss her challenges and goals. Following this, she was matched with marketing consultant Jennifer Payne for a three‑hour session. Jennifer provided in‑depth advice on search engine optimisation, website structure, and how Louise could make her social media content more effective and engaging.

Although she had not yet been able to implement the full set of recommendations – largely because her workload picked up almost immediately – Louise nevertheless experienced strong improvements.

November 2025 was 52% busier than November 2024, and December 2025 saw a 38% increase compared to the previous year. This was particularly significant, as these months are historically her quietest due to clients prioritising Christmas spending. Early trends suggested that January 2026 would also outperform January 2025, reinforcing the value of the guidance she received.

Future state

Looking ahead, Louise hopes that once she has fully implemented the initial recommendations, she will be able to access further support from Business Gateway to continue developing her business.

While she is busier than before, she is not yet at the level she aspires to reach, and she recognises that adopting the full suite of recommended marketing improvements will be essential to achieving sustained growth. She remains in regular contact with Cameron and Jennifer to keep them updated on her progress and to ensure she continues advancing towards her long‑term business goals.

Quote from the director

I would 100% recommend any small businesses that are looking to increase their business to contact BG for advice.