Blackburn farm launches social enterprise for adults with special needs (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn farm launches social enterprise for adults with special needs

1:16pm Thursday 29th December 2011 in News By Catherine Pye , Reporter

ADULTS with special needs can now boost their career prospects by working on a Blackburn farm.

Tony Mills, 45, has launched a new social enterprise called My Step Up at Brownhill Farm, Newington Avenue.

It is aimed at giving people with diabilities such as Downs Syndrome and autism a sense of purpose and making them more visible to employers.

Mr Mills said: “Many of these guys with learning difficulties are perfectly physically able, but have no purpose or direction.

“By getting them out doing physical work, it gets them socialising, and they don’t have to say ‘I’m just a guy who gets looked after’.

“We are not just a day centre, we’re so much more. We have a work-like environment and we will out even if it’s wet and windy.”

Jobs available to entrants include looking after animals and general labouring. In the future Mr Mills hopes he can expand to run a cafe at the site.

He added: “I hope we can be a place where people come and can do something they are proud of. After they leave school they will be able to see how they can get a job or become a volunteer.

“The project is called My Step Up because it gives them the first step into employability. It introduces them to the idea of getting in on time, doing what the boss tells you to, and dressing appropriately.

“They will also to build up their CVs and we’ll present them with certificates of achievement.”

In bad weather, classes will be held at Roe Lee Mill in Blackburn.

For further information, visit: mystepup.co.uk