From Doubts to a £10.7 Million Milestone
When a pair of sisters took the bold step to expand trauma rehabilitation services in Sheffield, few could have predicted the scale of their success. Steps Rehabilitation opened in 2017 as a focused facility for trauma patients, and today it stands as a £10.7 million business with a growing footprint in the city’s healthcare landscape. With turnover of £10.7 million in the year to April 2025 and pre-tax profits of £938,000, the company demonstrates how a family-led enterprise can deliver both patient care and commercial viability.
Family Roots, Professional Reach
The business is a family affair, built on a foundation laid by their father, Ray Boulger. A former financier, Boulger provided strategic oversight while his daughters steered day-to-day operations. This blend of financial acumen and clinical focus has helped Steps Rehabilitation scale its services, recruit and retain a skilled workforce, and navigate the often challenging landscape of private healthcare provision in the UK.
Strategic Growth in a Specialized Field
Steps Rehabilitation specializes in the recovery journey for trauma patients, a niche that requires multidisciplinary care, from physiotherapy and occupational therapy to psychology and social support. The centre’s growth has been underpinned by a commitment to patient-centered outcomes, care coordination across teams, and a steady investment in staff training. The result is a service that not only treats physical injuries but supports emotional and social reintegration—a crucial element for long-term recovery.
Why Sheffield Was the Right Home
Sheffield’s evolving healthcare ecosystem, bolstered by strong regional NHS partnerships and an emerging private sector network, provided fertile ground for a specialized rehab facility. The location offered access to a diverse patient population, proximity to major transport routes, and a community-oriented ethos that values bespoke rehabilitation programs. For the sisters, Sheffield wasn’t just a place to do business; it was a community that could benefit from reliable, high-quality rehab services.
Staff at the Heart of the Mission
Employing about 180 staff, Steps Rehabilitation has become a significant local employer while maintaining a patient-first culture. The company’s workforce spans therapists, nurses, administrators, and support staff who collaborate to craft individualized recovery plans. This team-based approach ensures that each patient receives consistent, compassionate care, reinforcing the centre’s reputation in the region.
Financial Health and Future Plans
With a turnover of £10.7 million and healthy pre-tax profits, Steps Rehabilitation exemplifies how a focused private healthcare provider can balance growth with sustainability. The leadership has signaled a continued emphasis on expanding clinical capabilities, embracing digital health solutions for care management, and potentially creating additional capacity to meet rising demand for trauma rehabilitation. The long-term ambition is clear: better outcomes for more patients through an integrated, evidence-based model of care.
Patient-Centered Care Beyond the Door
At the core of Steps Rehabilitation is a philosophy that rehabilitation should be holistic. Pain management, mobility training, mental health support, and social reintegration all feature in the patient journey. By investing in multidisciplinary teams and aligning services with best practices in rehabilitation medicine, the centre aims to reduce re-hospitalizations and accelerate meaningful return to daily life for survivors of trauma.
What This Means for the Local Community
Beyond the clinical outcomes, the centre’s growth translates into tangible community benefits: trained professionals in a high-demand field, partnerships with local providers to ensure continuity of care, and a visible example that family leadership can drive large-scale, mission-driven ventures. For patients and families navigating trauma recovery, Steps Rehabilitation offers a beacon of hope and a reliable pathway to recovery in a city with a robust health economy.
