AN ENTERPRISING student from Crowle is bidding to help people with disabilities have some fun after launching a new business in Worcester.
Sammy Connors has created a new service, called Smile Worcester, which aims to provide a number of activities for young adults with a range of needs, including trips to the cinema, the theatre and the zoo.
The 24-year-old said her business idea came after she worked part time for Brighter Life Care which runs a similar service in Solihull while she was studying at University of Warwick.
And Miss Connors said she was now looking forward to growing her business in Worcester as well as helping to offer support to school leavers with disabilities.
“I want to provide a service which would help to bring some normality to their lives and socialise them with other people without their parent or carer being there,” she said.
“Eventually I hope to build up relationships with businesses so I can try to get people with disabilities who are fresh from school and colleges into work placements and on the right track.
“I found there was quite a lot of support out there for people with disabilities while they are at college and school, but after that they are expected to go off into the world which is a difficult transition, so hopefully we can help.”
Miss Connors said her Sociology degree and her position at Brighter Life Care had fuelled her passion for helping people with disabilities, but she said her business would not have been possible without the support of The Prince’s Trust which gave her a £1,500 loan to help get Smile Worcester off the ground.
“I have been lucky enough to have both support and funding from The Princes Trust which has enabled me to start a business that follows my passion,” she said. “The Princes Trust have provided a brilliant foundation and starting point for me in terms of running a business and their support and guidance has enabled me to face all the difficulties of starting up my own business with ease.”
For more information visit www.smileworcester.co.uk
