£25,000 Start Up Loan helps West Midlands transportation business expand
- Eòsaph Macbeth
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Wolverhampton-based transportation business, Bespoke Assistance, were founded in 2026. They provide personalised transport and support services for children, young people, and adults who need extra help commuting from school, college, appointments, and activities.
A series of personal and professional experiences inspired founder, Rochelle Hughes, to set up the business. As a parent to a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) child, she understood first-hand how important it is for families to have reliable, compassionate support they can trust.
She wanted to launch a business that made people’s lives easier and helped her local community.
A £25,000 Start Up Loan through First Enterprise and the British Business Bank helped her turn her compassionate nature into a practical business.
A £25,000 Start Up Loan enabled Rochelle to purchase a larger vehicle, so that she was able to help more clients travel safely
Rochelle’s Start Up Loan has allowed her to buy an eight-seater passenger van to transport Bespoke Assistance’s customers.
The van has meant Rochelle has been able to:
Take on additional clients
Provide safer travel
Offer a more comfortable experience.
The latter two are vital considering many of Bespoke Assistance’s customers are vulnerable, neurodivergent, or disabled. Creating a safe and supportive environment is a key part of what Rochelle does, saying: “I’m not simply a taxi service.
“My role is to provide a safe, supportive environment where clients feel comfortable and understood. Families also have the reassurance of seeing the same trusted person each time, which helps build relationships, routine, and trust, especially for clients who may struggle with change.”
Rochelle also adds small personal touches to the journeys, such as fidget toys, communication pads, sugar-free sweets, and an ability to choose the music selection in order to boost her passengers’ moods.
She also spends a great deal of time learning to understand each person’s needs and what helps them feel calm, adapting her service around them. For many families dealing with SEND children or family members, this can provide a lot of reassurance that their loved one is in safe hands.
Funding helped Rochelle overcome financial barriers and grow her business
Rochelle discussed the problems she faced launching Bespoke Assistance, saying: “One of the biggest challenges when starting a business is having the resources to grow at the same pace as demand. As more families began reaching out for support, I needed a way to increase capacity while still maintaining the high level of care and reliability that Bespoke Assistance is known for.
“The loan made that possible and will allow my business to continue growing and supporting more people in the local community.”
She went on to describe her experience working with First Enterprise: “It’s been a really positive experience. My business adviser, James, was supportive and approachable, and took the time to understand both my business and my goals. The guidance throughout the process made everything much clearer and gave me the confidence to move forward with expanding Bespoke Assistance.”
James Minott, Rochelle’s Business Advisor at First Enterprise, said of her loan being approved: “I’m thrilled for Rochelle and Bespoke Assistance. Rochelle is a deeply caring young woman who came to us with an inspiring business idea that really served her local community. I’m glad we were able to help her get the necessary funding to make important purchases for her business and continue to grow.”
Have a business idea that could help your community? We’d love to hear about it!
Rochelle and Bespoke Assistance have created a safe and comfortable way for vulnerable children and adults within her community to travel. It has made lives easier, and provided parents and loved ones with relief.
A Start Up Loan helped her do that.
If you have a business idea you’d like to bring to life or an established business that’s primed to grow, loan funding could be the key.
The first step is simple: have a conversation. Get in touch with one of our advisors and begin your application journey by completing the enquiry form below or by giving us a call at 03456 027 355.
With just a little help and support, you too could have a real and lasting impact on your community.
