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Kayley sings her way to start-up success

A vintage style singer has hit a high note by tapping into start-up support from the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) to launch a unique entertainment business designed to help dementia sufferers.

Twenty-five year old Kayley Ede from the Humbledon area of Sunderland has launched Kayley Cares Vintage Singer specialising in entertaining older people in care homes and sheltered accommodation. Aided by her vintage style dress and her 1940s and 50s musical repertoire, consisting of Rock n Roll, old WWII songs and musical numbers, Kayley is able to help dementia patients and Alzheimer’s sufferers resurrect happy memories through singing, instruments and visual aids.

Having worked as a recruitment consultant in the logistics sector for several years before having her one year-old son Tyler, Kayley found herself looking for a more flexible career option that fit around her childcare arrangements.

Kayley said: “Having performed as a singer in a drama group and volunteered with dementia and alzheimer’s patients I saw an opportunity to combine these two jobs that I really enjoyed. My friend’s family operate a care home so I was able to test out the business idea and I undertook relevant training to be able to host the Singing for the Brain sessions at the Alzheimer’s Society.”

As Kayley was unemployed at the point of taking her business idea forward, she was referred to the North East BIC through the Job Centre’s New Enterprise Allowance Programme.

With the help of business adviser Margaret Cook, Kayley was able to test the viability of the business, establish a solid business plan and develop cashflow forecasts; support which she has found to be vital in getting Kayley Cares Vintage Singer off the ground.

She said: “The support I’ve had from the North East BIC has been really helpful. If I had any queries Margaret has been on hand to provide expert advice and guidance along the way. She was really understanding and had a very flexible approach which was great when I had childcare to consider.”

To date Kayley has hosted singing sessions for St Martha’s Care Home and already has a number of bookings for September. The business also covers home events and parties for those outside of residential care, providing birthday gifts with a real difference. Kayley plans to grow the business into a full-time venture once her son starts school and in the long-term has ambitions to launch a franchise operation.

Margaret Cook, business adviser at the North East BIC, said: “Kayley Cares Vintage Singer is a really unique business with a lot of potential. It’s been a real pleasure to help Kayley realise her business ambitions by providing her with business advice and guidance to enable her to do something she really loves and which will have a positive impact on dementia sufferers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section