Ambitions4Kirklees.

A COMPANY in Mirfield is providing help for people with learning difficulties.

Ambitions4Kirklees was founded by Liz Feeny, Bev Sissons and Jon Nissler who had a dream to help young people with learning difficulties who had few options after completing full-time education.

Said Bev: "We wanted to create choice and options with support for the young people and their families.

"We had no support to do this - only our own resources and determination. Some called it stupidity! Two of us gave up our full-time jobs to follow our dream."

Ambitions4Kirklees, which is a community interest company, employs four staff as well as Bev and Liz as paid directors.

They provide opportunities for young people to develop their skills in areas such as photography and horticulture. In one project, youngsters grew their own pumpkins which were turned into tasty soup by Dewsbury-based The Good Soup Company. As an extra boost to the teenagers, their detailed appeared on the labels for the soup packaging.

The soup went on sale to hotels, restaurants and kitchens across the region - with part of the proceeds going back to Ambitions4Kirklees to help more young people.

Said Bev: The work we do profiles the abilities of our young people and not their disabilities. We create opportunities where the skills they have developed can be shared with others and they are looked upon as someone with something to give - instead of someone to be pitied.

"The fact that some of our young people are in work-based learning placements and doing really well demonstrates how successful we have been."

CAPTION(S):

* GARDEN PARTY: Mike Wood (front left), of The Good Soup Company, with (from left) Martin Hudson, head of horticulture at Ambitions4Kirklees; Alistair McDermott (standing), Richard Wilby, Stuart Lunn, Carl Wood and Ryan Yarnold