UK Enterprise Awards 2021

324 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 Jun21498 Best ASN Therapy & Literacy Services Provider - Scotland Motorvate Therapies works with young people who have additional support needs, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism and attachment disorder, to name but a few. We speak to founder, Susan Doogan, about how the company strives to ensure help is at hand. Based in Perth and Kinross, Motorvate Therapies Ltd (Motorvate) is a social enterprise company which aims to provide occupational therapy services to support young people and their families living with complex additional support needs. Learning through movement and sensory integration allows young people to experience success and enjoy the journey towards positive learning at home and school. The company’s core values are very customer- centric and are at the pinnacle of all the services provided. Based on a relationship of mutual trust, Motorvate aims to listen to the young person and family to truly understand and validate what they are experiencing and use sensory integration as the frame of reference for understanding a young person’s underlying neuro-diversity. “All young people have ‘purpose’ and the Motorvate assessments allow them to see their skills in order to help the areas that are challenging them,” explains founding member of Motorvate Therapies and lead therapist, Susan Doogan. “Any profits made are used to subsidise costs to make the service accessible to all. These core skills have continued to be of utmost importance to Motorvate throughout.” Susan herself has embarked on a unique journey of training (sensory integration, sensory attachment, attachment) leading her to work with young people with complex underlying neuro- diversity including work with looked-after children. The young people who attend Motorvate are usually significantly struggling at school or home due to their emotional behavioural responses related to their underlying challenges which have previously not been understood by professionals. The parents leave the assessment process with a clearer, holistic understanding of their child and a plan to move forwards. “Families travel from all over Scotland for assessment and this is usually through word of mouth,” Susan explains. “It is essential to us that they trust the therapist at a time where their life is very stressful.” The internal culture at Motorvate is one of care and compassion, with all occupational therapists being registered with UK Health & Care Professions Council which ensures standard of practice. During lockdown, Susan noticed that referrals increased significantly as parents were unable to access services and have also become even more attuned to their child’s needs. “Covid-19 demonstrated that we are already adaptable and resilient, and we have some wonderful plans up our sleeves,” she enthuses. “We had news yesterday that we were successful in attaining an Adapt and Thrive (first port) grant funding to expand the business. This funding is based on adapting the business to make it sustainable going forward.” In the short term, Motorvate has taken on two new staff members, two board members and there are two new rooms coming on board as well. All this on top of being crowned Best ASN Therapy & Literacy Service Provider – Scotland, an accolade of which Susan is understandably excited to receive. “The future is looking very exciting!” Contact: Susan Doogan Company: Motorvate Therapies Ltd Web Address: www.motorvatetherapies.co.uk Photo Credit: Anatoliy Samara - Fotolia