A former SSI worker has teamed up with a leading North East health clinic, as she embarks on a new career as a life coach.
Following the closure of the Redcar steel plant, Heather Baker-Heriot, set up her own life coaching practice and was recently appointed by Yarm-based HealthHub Clinics, to work alongside its already existing team of experienced professionals.
Now Heather, from Stockton, plans to use the managerial skills she gained during her 25 years in industry to help others to make a difference in their own lives.
She said: “Life coaching is a very positive and motivating process which enables people to make significant and lasting changes in their lives.
“I first came across the process about six years ago and started seeing a life coach myself. Following this experience, I started my own training and quickly realised how well it fitted my personality and aspirations to work with people and help them to make a difference in their own lives.
“Originally I intended to practice my life coaching in my spare time, but the sad demise of SSI last year presented me with an opportunity to make a career doing something I feel passionate about.”
Heather, who was employed as the IT manager at the plant between October 2011 and November 2015, was delighted to be approached by HealthHub Clinics and believes life coaching complements its existing portfolio of services.
Formerly known as Yarm Osteopaths, HealthHub Clinics went through a major rebrand at the start of the year and offers a full range of physical, mental and social wellbeing services. To date it has treated over 6000 patients across the Tees Valley and beyond.
“I see HealthHub Clinics as market leaders in its area, which is why I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside a great team of professionals,” said Heather.
“There is also a potential synergy between the services both HealthHub and I offer. For example, if a client has a particular physical ailment, they may need to make some life changes in other areas to facilitate their recovery and working with a life coach can provide the support to make this happen.”
HealthHub Clinics, which has 13 associate practitioners working at the clinic, is equally delighted about welcoming Heather to its team, with 2016 set to be a year of growth in both services and staff appointments.
Osteopath Julian Crossley, said: “Heather brings with her passion and enthusiasm in providing a 21st century service to our clients.
“We want to expand HealthHub and offer more services to patients and we believe bringing Heather on board is the best way to do it.
“People who want to make real changes and be the best version of themselves, can now access a fantastic life coaching service, alongside the existing professional services we offer.”
MORE than 75 new companies have sprung up across the Tees Valley thanks to funding available through the SSI Task Force.
Heather Baker-Heriot – former IT manager at SSI steelworks – is one of those to launch a new venture.
She’s among 293 people who have sought help from the Business Advice Start Up Fund, administered by the North East Enterprise Agency Ltd (NEEAL).
The fund helps provide former SSI workers and those directly affected with advice on starting their own business.
Demand has been so great that the Task Force has allocated extra funding to increase the scheme.
There is also a fund available providing start-up grants to new business of up to £10,000 – so far almost £600,000 has been awarded to new companies.
Amanda Skelton, Chair of the SSI Task Force and Chief Executive of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “I would like to congratulate Heather on setting up her new and exciting business venture. We are extremely encouraged by the diverse range of new businesses being started by former SSI and supply chain workers. Many people, including Heather, have shown superb creativity and enterprise in using their valuable skills to launch new companies.”
The Business Advice Start-Up Fund is part of a package of flexible support open to those made redundant from SSI, their partners, as well as those similarly affected within contracting companies and the SSI supply chain.
Anyone interested in accessing the SSI Business Advice Start-Up Fund should contact NEEAL on 0191 516 6093 or visit www.teesbusinesscompass.co.uk
To find out more about HealthHub, visit www.healthhubclinics.co.uk
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