Five years ago, Nicola Cockburn was treating patients in their homes, running her office from the house and storing equipment in the garden shed. Today, she leads a nine-strong team at a purpose-built physiotherapy clinic in Selkirk, helping people across the Scottish Borders regain their mobility, independence and quality of life.
It's an impressive journey that recently saw HomePhysio by Nicola named Micro Business of the Year at the Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards 2026, recognising Nicola's determination, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to making physiotherapy more accessible.
Nicola recently welcomed members of the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce to her Selkirk clinic for a Coffee & Connections event, sharing the story behind her business, the challenges of growth and her vision for improving health and wellbeing across the region.
From NHS Physiotherapist to Business Owner
After 18 years working as a physiotherapist, including 17 years with the NHS, Nicola took a career break during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Passionate about the difference physiotherapy could make to people's lives, she recognised an opportunity to provide more accessible rehabilitation services across the Scottish Borders while creating a better work-life balance around her three children and family farm.
“I wanted to be able to take the kids to school and collect them, and be a physio,” Nicola explained. “That's where the idea of launching my own business was born.”
Initially offering home visits three days a week, demand quickly exceeded expectations.
Within just four months, Nicola had built up a 14-week waiting list.
What began as a part-time business soon became a full-time commitment, with evenings and weekends increasingly consumed by growing demand.
Recognising that she couldn't do everything herself, Nicola began recruiting physiotherapists and administrative staff who shared her passion for patient care and her belief in creating a healthy work-life balance.
Growing a Physiotherapy Business in the Scottish Borders
As the business expanded, so did the need for space.
HomePhysio by Nicola moved from the family home and garden shed into a small office and storage facility in Galashiels. However, continued investment in specialist rehabilitation equipment, including MOTOmed neurological exercise bikes and EasyStand standing frames, meant a larger premises was needed.
Finding a suitable location that combined clinical treatment rooms, rehabilitation facilities and office space proved challenging.
Eventually, Nicola found the ideal premises on Dunsdale Road in Selkirk.
The purpose-built clinic now provides:
Dedicated physiotherapy treatment rooms.
A rehabilitation gym with specialist equipment.
Space for preventative exercise and rehabilitation classes.
Massage therapy and additional holistic services.
Office facilities supporting the growing team.
Today, HomePhysio by Nicola employs a team of nine, providing physiotherapy and rehabilitation services both at the Selkirk clinic and in patients' homes throughout the Scottish Borders.
“So, in the space of five years, we have gone from myself at home to being a team of nine seeing people both in clinic and across the Scottish Borders in people's own homes,” Nicola said.
The team's shared aim is simple: helping people move better, feel better and live better.
Supporting Rehabilitation and Independence Across the Borders
One of the driving forces behind HomePhysio by Nicola is the need for accessible, ongoing rehabilitation, particularly for patients recovering from illness, injury or hospital treatment.
With NHS services facing significant pressures, including long waiting lists and challenges around hospital discharge, independent providers can play an important complementary role.
Nicola's extensive NHS experience has helped her develop services that support patients beyond their immediate medical needs.
“The limitations of the NHS service is that they can't provide long-term input,” she explained.
Rather than focusing solely on short-term recovery, HomePhysio takes a holistic approach, helping individuals regain the confidence and physical ability to return to everyday activities, hobbies and interests.
For some patients, that might mean improving their balance or walking independently. For others, it could mean returning to gardening, enjoying social activities or simply feeling confident enough to leave the house.
By supporting longer-term rehabilitation and independence, Nicola hopes her services can also help reduce pressure on NHS and social care services.
Taking a Preventative Approach to Health and Wellbeing
With an ageing population across the Scottish Borders, Nicola believes preventative physiotherapy has an increasingly important role to play.
Rather than waiting until someone experiences a fall, injury or loss of mobility, HomePhysio encourages people to take a proactive approach to maintaining their strength, balance and independence.
This might involve helping an older person who has become less confident on their feet or supporting someone who wants to remain physically active as they age.
Nicola also highlights the importance of maintaining mobility throughout adulthood, recognising the wider benefits for physical health, emotional wellbeing and quality of life.
“We're also trying to minimise hospital admissions in the first place, by taking a preventative approach and looking at the whole model of care,” she explained.
The aim is to help people remain active, independent and engaged in their communities for as long as possible.
Helping Scottish Borders Businesses Become More Accessible
Nicola's ambitions extend beyond the clinic.
Recognising that physical accessibility can make a significant difference to people's confidence and independence, she has also been working with local businesses to help them create more welcoming and accessible environments.
From cafés and garden centres to offices and sports clubs, Nicola encourages businesses to consider the practical challenges faced by customers and visitors with reduced mobility.
Simple considerations, such as suitable seating, chairs with arms and accessible toilet facilities, can make a meaningful difference.
“But are we, across the Scottish Borders, accessible for people who need a little support?” Nicola asked.
Her message is that improving accessibility benefits everyone.
When people feel confident visiting local businesses and participating in community activities, it supports their independence and wellbeing while encouraging greater engagement with the local economy.
“The more we are, the more people are encouraged and motivated to get outside the home and support those businesses, and the better their quality of life, so it's a win-win.”
Celebrating Micro Business of the Year Success
HomePhysio by Nicola's remarkable growth and commitment to the local community were recognised at the Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards 2026, where the business was named Micro Business of the Year.
For Nicola, the award represents five years of hard work, determination and learning.
“I'm immensely proud of how far we've come,” she said.
“It's taken a huge amount of resilience, and the learning experience has been very steep, but going through the rollercoaster of emotions has certainly built me as a person.”
From starting a business to achieve greater flexibility around family life to building a successful healthcare service employing nine people, Nicola's journey is an inspiring example of what can be achieved through passion, perseverance and a clear sense of purpose.
Championing Local Business Success in the Scottish Borders
At the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, we're delighted to celebrate the achievements of businesses like HomePhysio by Nicola.
Nicola's story highlights the innovation, resilience and entrepreneurial ambition found throughout our region, as well as the important contribution small businesses make to their local communities.
It was a pleasure to welcome members to HomePhysio's Selkirk clinic for Coffee & Connections and hear first-hand about the journey behind this award-winning business.
Congratulations to Nicola and the entire HomePhysio team on their well-deserved success!
To find out more about HomePhysio by Nicola and the services available across the Scottish Borders, visit their website.
Interested in connecting with other businesses across the region? Explore the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce's networking events and discover opportunities to build relationships, share ideas and support local business growth.
