With a long career background working in Midwifery & Nursing, and providing care for patients with a variety of illnesses, Mary Gillham found that she could no longer manage the physical demands of her profession after a car accident, and was forced onto incapacity benefit.
“I was devastated to be made redundant in the mid-1990’s after a car crash where I suffered severe whiplash and neck problems. Before I came to Outset I had been on incapacity benefit for over a decade!”
Mary says the final catalyst came when her husband of 36 years, Timothy Gillham, was made redundant from Dean & Dyball where he was a Project Manager for seven years. Timothy started to focus Mary’s talents for making Trinidadian food and soon realised this could be a fantastic new business opportunity for them.
“We have invested nearly £10,000 into our new business venture which will be a mobile catering unit at a site in Plympton,” said Mary. “We will be also selling our unique brand of Caribbean food at outdoor events, festivals and private hire showcases. I have a National Catering qualification, with our new business passing all of the city council’s food & hygiene, risk assessment, and public liability insurance covers.”
Mary came to Outset Plymouth in August 2010 after a close friend told her about the programme. “I’ve never been self-employed before; in fact the whole idea was incredibly daunting. I found the Outset Plymouth programme very practical and it’s been great to exchange ideas and experiences with others in the same boat as me. I was amazed by the information and commitment, and especially the passion from the Outset team. For the first time in years, I feel very confident in doing something completely different and setting up my own business.”
Mary was born and brought up in Trinidad and came to the UK in 1973, spending most of her career in Midwifery & nursing. The mother of 3 children came to Plymouth in 1986 when her husband Timothy found work in the city.
“Timary Spice will be specialising in Trinidadian Roti Wraps that are made of split peas and pastry with a combination of meat fillings, vegetarian, with Goat a seasonal delicacy. Our future plans are to open a restaurant in the city. We are looking forward to introducing new flavours, and alternative forms of takeaway to the city of Plymouth,” said Mary.
Outset Plymouth has been funded by the ERDF Competitiveness and Employment programme, which invests in activities that will have a long-term impact on the growth and develop of the local economy.
For more information on Mary and Timothy Gillham please contact Outset Plymouth Tel 0800 028 5699
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