Case Study

When guests at Vee’s wedding were so impressed with her hand-made decorations that they wanted to take them home, her new husband Ethan popped a new question: would she consider stepping down the self-employment aisle?  

 

Lacking belief that with her ADHD she’d have the skills to develop her crafting talents into a viable business, a package of support from the Restart Scheme in Greater Manchester has now helped her tie the knot as a self-employed artist. 

 

Veronica, known by all as ‘Vee’, had always been creative but only began making her sculptures at the start of 2025, driven by her forthcoming, budget-conscious wedding. Inspired by nature, she made polymer clay sculptures in glass domes, wreaths, and a playful possum/raccoon cake topper. Her friends and family soon convinced her to make more, yet at the time, Vee says she genuinely didn’t think she could make the step to self- employment. 

 

“My ADHD means I struggle with organisation and time keeping. I have blank moments, then overwhelming moments. Medication helps and Ethan supports me massively, but it really knocks my confidence,” says Vee, who is 25 and has family in Poland, Sweden and West Yorkshire. 

 

Having met Ethan in Sweden, the couple returned to live with family in Wigan in 2024 and Vee began job hunting. Undertaking training courses and attempting a childcare role, it was a tough time as Vee realised she hadn’t found her fit. A referral to the Restart Scheme, delivered by Ingeus, proved to be a perfect match. 

 

Vee’s self-employment advisor Donna gave her weekly tasks to focus on, supporting her with software use, eligible benefits, and a small grant to purchase supplies. She referred her to partner Momentic to formally register and document her business, and to develop a business plan based on financial and market research that Vee undertook. A second referral to partner The Better Health Generation, saw Vee benefit from neurodiversity coaching to harness her busy thoughts.  

 

Vee’s new business, Millie’s Keepsakes – named after a cherished past pet – was the result.  

She sells her ornaments, art and jewellery online and at local artisan markets. She has produced her first commissioned piece and hopes to host crafting workshops in the future. 

 

“I can’t overstate the brilliant help I’ve been given,” adds Vee. “My nature is to rush at everything in one go, and inevitably fall flat, but Donna’s help in managing what I needed to do in a structured way was invaluable. The grant to buy supplies for my first market was a gamechanger. 

 

“I enjoyed learning about the aspects of running a business with Momentic and having a therapist to speak to at the Better Health Generation who really understood neurodivergence was awesome. They gave me practical tips and coping mechanisms – it was the highlight of my week. Along with my family, it was an entire support system.” 

 

So has the globetrotting, hobby hopping, nature lover now found her happy place? 

“I can’t describe how exhilarating it is to make these products and the happy-tired satisfaction of selling them at independent markets,” concludes Vee. “I’m on cloud nine making them and like to think each piece is imbued with the passion I put into it.”