Two students from the University of Salford have collaborated to create a business that offers counselling and neurodiversity support services.
Dr David Tate who is a qualified therapeutic counsellor and Eve Bent who specialises in autism and young children’s learning decided to combine their expertise to support adults and children through counselling, emotional guidance and expert advice.
The Segway Practice provides three main services, autism support, counselling and education and training.
Whilst offering support to individuals, they also offer neurodiverse awareness training courses to businesses to equip them with the best tools to provide the most inclusive service for their customers.
Being a mother to neurodivergent children who are on the autistic spectrum, Eve knows all too well the struggles of parenting pre-diagnosis.
“We waited three years for my son to get a diagnosis. We couldn’t access any educational or support service throughout this time because we didn’t have a confirmed diagnosis, it was really difficult and isolating,” she said.
She describes that as one of the biggest driving points in developing a service that people can access for help with diagnosis at all stages.
David said: “It’s been shown through research that the best way to support and help individuals is through early intervention and that ensures the best outcome. That’s one of the missions of The Segway Practice, alongside providing the best support we can.”
Among the first customers of the business is Carly Teat, who runs a salon in North Manchester.
She said: “This training has helped me further my skills in making my salon a much more aware place to suit every need.
“It helped me understand others individual needs and wants in a salon environment and we will continue to work alongside them to help more people in the future.”
David and Eve are being supported by the purpose-built business incubator Launch@ Salford, to help develop their business. Launch@ was established in 2018 to aid students and graduates in developing and growing their business ideas. It enables users to gain access to specialist support and guidance from a team of business advisors, alongside providing them with office space and financial aid over a period of six-months.
They said: “Launch has been amazing. We have our expertise in our own fields of psychology but we didn’t know anything really about starting a business, the information and support they’re providing is invaluable.
“We’re hoping with the help of Launch@ Salford to be really successful business that can help a lot of people.”
Contact thesegwaypractice@outlook.com or or find the team on social media @TheSegwayPractice on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
For all press office enquiries please email communications@salford.ac.uk.
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