A mother-of-2 from Wirral has turned a moment of family care into a global success story, earning recognition as 1 of the UK’s top 100 female entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain’s ‘f:Entrepreneur’ campaign. Deborah Monks, founder of Adaptive Apparel, has created a specialist clothing range designed to restore independence and dignity to people recovering from injuries.

The inspiration for Adaptive Apparel came during a challenging time in 2021 when Deborah’s stepmother suffered a serious fall, leaving her unable to use her left arm for months due to a broken bone. Struggling to find suitable clothing that could accommodate her stepmother’s cast and sling, Deborah realised there was a gap in the market for practical and comfortable alternatives, so she created her own.

Drawing on her lifelong love of sewing, Deborah designed and hand-stitched a range of cotton t-shirts with discreet hook-and-loop fastenings. These simple yet innovative garments provided a solution for her stepmother and quickly became a lifeline for others facing similar challenges.

Since its launch, Adaptive Apparel has reached people across the globe of all ages, from children to elderly individuals recovering from surgeries or injuries. The clothing has been praised by customers worldwide for its comfort, practicality and life-changing impact, receiving hundreds of heartfelt 5-star reviews.

Deborah’s work has even caught the attention of healthcare professionals, with hospitals like Arrowe Park on the Wirral recognising the value of her designs in helping patients maintain their dignity and independence by allowing them to get changed easily by themselves. Such is the impact of her simple but effective idea, she has now been ranked as one of the UK’s Top 100 female entrepreneurs.

Reflecting on her journey, Deborah said:- “The idea started from a place of care and necessity. Seeing my stepmother lose her independence was incredibly hard. I never dreamed that sewing in my summer house, something I used as an escapism, would lead to this. But hearing from customers who say my clothing has made their recovery easier, restored their confidence and gave them independence has been the most rewarding part of it all.”

Deborah’s own life has been shaped by resilience and determination. Balancing a full-time job in the legal technology industry and raising a daughter with complex needs, she found solace in sewing. This creative outlet eventually became the foundation for a business that is now recognised on a national stage.

In being named 1 of the UK’s Top 100 female entrepreneurs, Deborah will join other inspiring women at the House of Lords on International Women’s Day 2025, an acknowledgment of her extraordinary impact. The f:Entrepreneur campaign, launched in 2017 by Small Business

Britain, celebrates the achievements of female business owners while highlighting their contributions and impact to communities and the wider economy.

Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, said:- “It’s wonderful to have Deborah from Adaptive Apparel feature in this year’s #IAlso100. It is vital that we recognise the impressive contribution of the UK’s female business owners and do all we can to support and encourage them throughout their entrepreneurial journey, from start-up to scale-up. As well as making a huge economic contribution to the UK, female entrepreneurs also create a wider positive impact that ripples across society and local communities too.”

For Deborah, this recognition is about more than accolades. She said:- “What means the most to me is knowing that my work helps people regain a sense of independence during their recovery. It’s been a humbling journey, and I’m so proud to be able to make a difference.”

A mother-of-2 from Wirral has turned a moment of family care into a global success story, earning recognition as one of the UK’s top 100 female entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain’s ‘f:Entrepreneur’ campaign. Deborah Monks, founder of Adaptive Apparel, has created a specialist clothing range designed to restore independence and dignity to people recovering from injuries.

For more information on Injury Clothing visit this website.