Member Article

Darlington 'business balcony' aids new businesses

An innovative space for new businesses at Teesside University’s campus in Darlington has been instrumental in the success of two startups which train and recruit carers.

Sian Parker Harrison who runs the two businesses, Sialyn Training and Quality Carers UK Ltd, has credited the support she received from the University with helping them to expand.

Sian launched Sialyn Training at the ‘business balcony’, a mezzanine floor within Teesside University’s £13m campus at Darlington which offers a bright, airy space where companies can ‘hot desk’ and access business support and facilities.

There are still spaces available on the balcony and small companies and startups are being encouraged to take advantage of services it offers.

Sian founded Sialyn Training in 2012 after her daughter, Harriette, was born with cerebral palsy and she felt that the level of care being offered by some providers fell short of what it should be.

The company, which also includes directors Lyn McPhee and Patrick Robson, offers bespoke training across a variety of sectors, with particular focus on training carers.

Sian and Lyn then branched out to found Quality Carers UK Ltd which operates as a bank to provide highly-trained, competent carers for care homes, respite care, schools, hospitals and home care.

However, in order to register with the Care Quality Commission, the business, which has 20 carers on its books, needed to find a new office.

With the help of Teesside University’s Enterprise team, Sian was able to find premises at the Victoria Building at the University’s main campus in Middlesbrough.

Sian said: “We have very strong values and those values have come from personal experience.

“We believe in caring with compassion, empathy and understanding and giving back control to our customers.

“Many companies are financially focused but we want to put our customers first and raise the benchmark for care.

“I discovered the business balcony at a networking event and it’s really helped me grow my business.”

For a small charge of £80 per month, companies based at the business balcony can access a range of services at the campus building including WiFi, printing, an answerphone service, use of meeting and teaching rooms, a reception postal service and access to the library.

Business advisers and mentors from Teesside University will also work with the business to provide coaching and workshops.

Sian added: “Being based at the balcony definitely gave me the confidence to make progress quicker than I might have done if I was based somewhere else.

“It’s a great business address with fantastic buildings and surroundings.

“It takes a lot of the risk and expense out of setting up a business as you don’t need to spend a lot of money on premises.

“Even things like hiring training rooms can normally be very expensive so to have all this available to me really helped the business.

“The mentoring was really helpful as well and because of it I think that I was able to set up Quality Carers much sooner than expected.

“When the business grew to a point where I needed new premises basing it at the Victoria Building in Middlesbrough seemed like an obvious choice.”

Laura Woods, Director of Academic Enterprise, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to help Sian establish her two businesses.

“Setting up your own business can be a very daunting experience.

“The business balcony at Darlington is already proving very helpful by giving small businesses all the facilities of a modern office but without the risk and expense involved in renting or buying office space.”

For more information about the business balcony or other services offered by Teesside University, email Sue Clark atsue.clark@tees.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Teesside University .