Time to Play: Gateshead business offers alternative support to children
Started in 2020, Nelly Play was always a dream business for owner Charlotte. Over more than a decade witnessing firsthand how children can follow the wrong path or struggle to adapt when not supported, Charlotte was determined to offer an alternative way to support and guide young children.
Set up with the intention to foster positive attitudes and help children shape their own futures as they grow, Nelly Play utilises therapeutic intervention through play, behaviour strategies, life mapping and coaching to support the social, emotional and mental wellbeing of the children they work with.
The Nelly Play team also work with the families, schools, staff, and the local community children interact with to create a network around them that can also guide them as they grow.
Charlotte Connelly, Director of Nelly Play, recognises the support she received through opportunities available in Gateshead: "Starting this business venture has been troublesome in a sense that I could not understand how I would support all these people and environments.
"It was my attendance to a Start Up Smart workshop at the Northern Design Centre that helped me to understand the areas I can grow and how I can be supported in the future with my business ideas."
As well as the bootcamps hosted by PNE, which are jointly funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Gateshead Council, Charlotte has been in regular contact with Business Gateshead. We have provided ongoing support through one-to-one sessions, advice on expanding her network, and signposting relevant tools, business courses and workshops to scale-up her business.
Business Gateshead continues to support Nelly Play to grow as the business looks to support more children, schools, and families through the hire of additional staff in the future.
Nelly Play has also added a therapy dog to the team which is currently being trained through visits to local businesses, schools, and potentially local care homes over the summer.
You can follow Nelly Play on Instagram: @Nelly_play_
If you have an idea for a business or have just started one, Start Up Smart events can give you the right start through a 2-day intensive programme. Upcoming Start bootcamps can be found here.
This business was supported by the Enterprise Support in the North East 2 Project funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivery partners including Gateshead Council.