Business Gateway helps Stirling social enterprise bounce from strength to strength

A Scottish social enterprise that supports children and adults with disabilities has successfully scaled up its operations after its founder accessed support and signposting to over £10,000 of funding from Business Gateway.

Bounce OT is an activity-based service that offers a range of therapeutic services for toddlers, children, young people and adults with disabilities, and their families, to overcome the impact of inequality. This is achieved by offering a range of direct and non-direct support from registered occupational therapists and certified play leaders in Bounce OT’s very own therapeutic playroom.  This unique room provides a safe environment and is autism friendly as well as wheelchair accessible. All resources provided by Bounce OT are inclusive for all needs, ensuring fun physical activity is possible for all ages and disabilities.

The social enterprise, founded in 2017, is the brainchild of occupational therapist Callum MacKinnon. While studying at Glasgow Caledonian University, Callum was determined to set up an activity-based service that would help improve the life quality of children and adults with complex needs.

Having successfully run Bounce OT for four years, Callum was on a mission to grow his operations further and approached Business Gateway in 2021 for support and guidance.

From the start, Callum developed a strong relationship with his Business Gateway adviser, Stephen Cranston, who was able to provide one-to-one support. This involved regular meetings and discussions over the past two years, helping to ensure the steady growth of the business and identifying potential weaknesses.

Having identified a lack of marketing, Business Gateway signposted Callum to grants to help with branding and marketing work, which included establishing Bounce OT’s trademarked logo, tagline, as well as developing a variety of eye-catching banners and leaflets that were designed for free.

Most recently, Callum, guided by Business Gateway, secured a £10,000 grant from Scottish EDGE’s Young EDGE award, which has helped towards developing a social replication strategy, alongside a new franchise business model and a bespoke website.

Since accessing Business Gateway’s resources, Callum has been able to expand Bounce OT’s premises by taking on three rented spaces. In addition, the HR support Callum received has enabled the organisation to have clearer processes, paperwork and contracts of employment.

Bounce OT has enjoyed popular demand over the past year, with the unique activity service being requested to occupy a variety of pop-up spaces, such as local leisure centres in South Lanarkshire as well as spaces beyond the Forth Valley region.

Callum MacKinnon, Founder of Bounce OT said: “Business Gateway reaffirmed to us the importance of having excellent digital marketing skills, and with the help of Stephen and the wider team, we are now much more confident in our abilities.

“The support and guidance we have received from Business Gateway over the past couple of years has played a significant role in our growth and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can continue to grow this vital service in the future.”

Stephen, Business Gateway advisor said: “It is very rewarding to see Bounce OT’s recent significant growth. Developing marketing skills, alongside HR support have been fundamental skills for Callum, and we’re really pleased to have been able to work together with the team to build these skills over the last four years.”