“Age is just a number – you can start a business at any age!” 

Our clients never cease to amaze us with the amazing things they do for others. 

Nicola Ankin is on a mission to spread positivity, through disability awareness and community work. 

After struggling with the loss of her dad, Nicola threw herself into local activities in her village of Cross Keys. 

Most recently she fundraised an enormous £7000 for a mural to be painted on a nearby underpass.  

Following a rise in antisocial behaviour in the area, Nicola wanted to do something to spread positivity through the community. 

She said: “The underpass was very dark and dull. I thought it would be lovely to have some artwork there to lift the spirits of the village people and give them a sense of belonging.” 

The stunning mural encompasses the past and present of Cross Keys, incorporating its rich mining history as well as well-loved institutions like the rugby club and bowling green. 

Whilst working within her community, Nicola could see the barriers around access and inclusion for people with disabilities. 

As someone with hearing loss and with a vast career background working as an advocate for young people with disabilities and additional learning support needs, Nicola had so many ideas for solutions to these everyday problems. 

She said: “With personal and professional experience in this field, I have a unique perspective on where things can be improved. Lots of organisations don’t know they need support and think they are doing well, but with a lived in disability you see the world through different lens and this can really help offer practical solutions to disability access and inclusion issues that still persist in our society. With this support, it is very easy to make simple but effective improvements.” 

She decided to start her own business, which she hopes will one day become a social enterprise. 

Nicola said: “Age is just a number. If you have the drive and passion, you can start a business at any age.”  

Her business, Inexclusion, aims to break down barriers for people with disabilities by teaching organisations how to be more inclusive. Some of Nicola’s services include disability awareness training, deaf awareness training and workplace inclusion and accessibility audits. 

As she built up her business, Nicola received support from PRIME Cymru’s Volunteer Mentor, Lynne Burns. As someone who has run businesses herself, Lynne offered guidance to Nicola in these early stages. 

Nicola said: “Lynne has been supporting me with marketing my business to get it off the ground. It’s just me at the moment so Lynne was a really good sounding board for ideas.” 

As well as providing practical support, Lynne has been someone for Nicola to talk to when things with the business became stressful. 

Nicola said: “Lynne really is a huge asset to PRIME Cymru. A few months ago I was struggling and things were getting on top of me, so I reached out to her. I was comfortable enough to talk about it with her and she’s checked in on me a few times afterwards until I was back to where I needed to be.” 

Lynne said: “Nicola is a truly inspirational woman with so many ideas on how organisations can improve their disability awareness and practice. 

“All the work she is doing in her community is amazing and she’s also been working so hard to get her business off the ground.” 

If you would like to make your organisation more accessible, you can visit Nicola’s website, Inexclusion. 

For free business mentoring (for ages 50+ in Wales), please get in touch with PRIME Cymru. Call 01550 721 813 or email enquiries@primecymru.co.uk.